John Burroughs School (Top-Ranked 草榴社区 School for 2026)

Name: Open House
Start: 2026-10-24T09:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-10-24T12:00:00-05:00
Location: John Burroughs School

Home > Missouri > St. Louis County > Saint Louis

John Burroughs School

755 S Price Road
Saint Louis, MO 63124

Tel: (314) 993-4040

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John Burroughs School Photo #1 - In a rigorous curriculum, students learn creative problem solving, critical thinking, data-driven decision making and collaboration skills that will prepare them for active participation in a world with new challenges.

John Burroughs School Photo #2 - The 49-acre campus in St. Louis County includes a main classroom building; a nearly completed 75,000-square-foot science, technology and research building; a fine arts building; a performing arts center; extensive indoor and outdoor athletic facilities; and a student commons.

John Burroughs School Photo #3 - Opportunities for travel range from a geologic expedition of the Grand Canyon to a tour of Italy from a classicist's perspective. Other trips take students to France, Germany, Spain, Qatar, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Greece and Turkey, and China.

John Burroughs School Photo #4 - Serving others is a deeply held value that is woven into the curriculum and extracurricular activities on many levels. Recent activities included collecting household items for families of foster children, preparing a meal for young homeless adults, serving shoppers at an outdoor food pantry and organizing a Dance Marathon to support academic enrichment for middle school students from challenging circumstances.

John Burroughs School Photo #5 - Every student takes Spanish, French, German or Latin through level II. Many students complete level IV and V. Older students may take electives in Russian, Chinese and Greek.

John Burroughs School Photo #6 - Students are required to participate in physical education classes, team sports, fitness classes, independent athletic activities and/or outdoor education. Burroughs varsity athletes have claimed 53 individual and team state championships since the fall of 2007.

John Burroughs School Photo #7 - The school's founders believed that the arts belong not on the decorative fringes of education, but close to the center of it. Virtually all students participate in the fine, performing and/or practical arts.

John Burroughs School Photo #8 - Every January, a team of juniors and seniors participate in The Hague International Model United Nations in either the Netherlands or Qatar. At the conference, Burroughs delegates quickly jump into spirited discussions with students from all over the world regarding the best ways to combat issues from human trafficking to reducing food waste.

John Burroughs School Photo #9 - Burroughs students may participate in about four dozen activities that range from student government and publications to cheerleading and a super-mileage vehicle club.

John Burroughs School Photo #10 - Styled as seminars, classes encourage active student participation in small group discussion.

Burroughs is a college preparatory school offering a core curriculum that provides a broad base of knowledge and skills in the humanities; STEM; the arts; athletics, health and wellness; global awareness and cultural competency; and service and sustainability. A world-class faculty (80 percent hold advanced degrees) teaches a challenging curriculum in small classes (average size is 13).

Faculty average 23 years teaching experience and establish meaningful relationships with our students.

Our size is critical having around 100-115 students per grade allows our students to be well known and well supported. Students hail from nearly 60 ZIP codes from throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area and a broad range of racial, ethnic, religious and socio-economic backgrounds.

They are encouraged to be active in the classroom with their heads up, eyes open and minds engaged.

In classes, which are generally run seminar style, students learn to be discerning readers, critical thinkers, articulate communicators and analytical problem solvers.

The Burroughs experience is distinguished by a mix of informality, traditions (such as morning assembly and family-style lunch) and a culture that puts a premium on ethics, inclusivity, student government, technology and international experiences.

Admission is based on school records, recommendations, an entrance exam and an interview.

Personal qualities and character are a major consideration. Financial aid is available to those who need assistance with tuition.

Quick Facts (2026)

Top-Ranked MO School
Grades: 7-12
Enrollment: 664 students
Yearly Tuition: $39,810
Acceptance rate: 48%
Average class size: 13 students
Application Deadline: Dec. 11 / Jan. 12
Source: Verified school update

Upcoming Events

Open House - Sat., October 24, 2026 - get more information!

Top Rankings

John Burroughs School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Missouri for:

School Overview

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
State or regional independent school association

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades 7-12

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Year Founded

1923

Colors

Blue, Gold

School Calendar

First Day of School

Thu. Aug 27, 2026

Last Day of School

Fri. May 28, 2027

Campus Size

50 acres

Student Body

Total Students

664 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

50%

State avg.: 21%

Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

118 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

6:1

National avg.:

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

80%

Average Class Size

13 students

List of Courses Offered

Average SAT score

1480

(Out of 1600)

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

no dress code

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Dec. 11 / Jan. 12

Yearly Tuition Cost

$39,810

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

no charge for before/after care & lunch is also included

% on Financial Aid

25%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$28,560

Acceptance Rate

48%

National avg.: 82%

Admissions Director

Julie Shimabukuro

Application URL

Sports

Total Sports Offered

19 sports

Sports

BaseballBasketball

CheeringCross Country

TennisTrack and Field

VolleyballWater Polo

Wrestling

Show More (3)Hide

School Notes

School Mascot: Bombers

Like all responsible schools, our first and primary commitment is to our students. We strive to provide them a rich array of opportunities in a supportive and stimulating environment. It is how we do this that makes the difference. Our secret ingredients are not very secret-in fact, they are transparent in most everything we do. They include our community, our core values, our pedagogical foundation, and our master teachers.

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does John Burroughs School cost?

John Burroughs School's tuition is approximately $39,810 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of John Burroughs School?

The acceptance rate of John Burroughs School is 48%, which is lower than the national average of 86%. John Burroughs School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Missouri with low acceptance rates.

What sports does John Burroughs School offer?

John Burroughs School offers 19 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Dance, Diving, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo and Wrestling. John Burroughs School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Missouri for most sports offered.

What is John Burroughs School's ranking?

John Burroughs School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Missouri for: Highest average SAT score, Highest average ACT score, Lowest average acceptance rates, Highest percentage of students of color, Largest student body and Most sports offered.

When is the application deadline for John Burroughs School?

The application deadline for John Burroughs School is Dec. 11 / Jan. 12.

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Quick Facts (2026)

Top-Ranked MO School
Grades: 7-12
Enrollment: 664 students
Yearly Tuition: $39,810
Acceptance rate: 48%
Average class size: 13 students
Application Deadline: Dec. 11 / Jan. 12
Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Saint Louis, MO is $17,419 for elementary schools and $21,551 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Saint Louis, MO is 81% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).