Discover Barstow

Welcome to The Barstow School, where students from preschool through grade 12 are inspired to be makers, doers and confident leaders.
Barstow combines innovative academics, individualized learning and an emphasis on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and math) to provide the best independent school education in the region. Forward-looking instruction responds to changing times and the changing needs of students and families for more than 135 years.
We begin with rigorous academics and add opportunities to create, compete, perform, and lead at every grade level. With so much to offer, Barstow students don’t have to choose one path. Instead, we encourage them to explore every interest. From the start, a Barstow education is designed to propel students to go anywhere they choose.

Barstow Middle School Student

"I am grateful for The Barstow School because this school really helped me build my character and be proud of my accomplishments and who I am as a person."

Mission & Values

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  • Our Mission

    Since 1884, the mission of the school as stated by Mary Louise Barstow remains “to promote sound scholarship and to give symmetrical development to mind, body and character.”

  • Our Vision

    To graduate students who achieve their unique potential, live meaningful lives and significantly impact the world in which they live.

CORE VALUES

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  • Integrity

  • Inclusiveness

  • Imagination

  • Accountability

  • Courage

  • Purpose

  • Trust

  • Lifelong Learning

21ST CENTURY SKILLS

List of 11 items.

  • Collaboration

  • Creativity

  • Problem Solving

  • Flexibility

  • Global Awareness

  • Perseverance & Resilience

  • Communication

  • Critical Thinking

  • Civic Participation

  • Leadership

  • Technology Proficiency

Participants,

Not Spectators.
This is how I sum up the Barstow difference. We take kids out of the classroom and put them in the world. 
Our curriculum brings lessons to life — learning comes not just from books, but from real-life, project-based experiences. How do we do this? We admit curious, passionate learners. We attract and retain faculty who are much more than teachers. They are mentors, invested in the success of each individual student.

Innovative thinking is part of our culture. We encourage students to brainstorm original ideas, test and refine them, and learn from both successes and failures. If you are a curious, passionate learner, welcome to The Barstow School.

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  • Shane Foster

    President of the Barstow Schools
    Shane Foster has been an educator, school leader and advocate for innovative learning for four decades.
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  • Dr. Tom Niermann

    Senior Vice President for Academics for the Barstow Schools
    Dr. Niermann brings three decades of education experience and leadership to Barstow.
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  • Liz Bartow

    Senior Vice President of the Barstow Schools and Chief Operating Officer
    Elizabeth Bartow is a lifelong independent school educator — serving as a teacher, admission director and administrator. 
    Read More

Faculty & Staff Directory

Board of Trustees

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Leadership Since 1884

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  • Our Founders

    A. W. Armour
    T. B. Bullene
    J. V. C. Karnes
    William Rockhill Nelson
    A. R. Meyer
    Gardiner Lathrop
    The Reverend Henry Hopkins
    Colonel C. F. Morse
    General H. F. Devol
    Medill Smith

  • Heads of School

    Miss Ada Brann1884-1897
    Miss Mary Louise Barstow1884-1922
    Miss Rose Adelaide Witham1923-1927
    Mrs. Helen Burton Williams1927-1934
    Miss M. Mercer Kendig1934-1937
    Miss Winifred Turner1937-1950
    Mr. Richard Sears1950-1965
    Mr. Donald A. Gordon1965-1968
    Mr. Gordon Kent Lenci1968-1975
    Dr. James H. McK. Quinn1975-1979
    Mr. Michael S. B. Churchman1979-1985
    Mr. Deane R. Lanphear1985-1987
    Mr. Thomas M. Reefer1987-1989
    Mr. James E. Achterberg1989-1994
    Mr. Charles H. Sachs1994-2001
    Mr. Arthur N. Atkison2001-2008
    Mr. Shane A. Foster2008-present

  • Original Board of Trustees

    Fred W. Fleming, President
    Marvin H. Gates, Secretary
    Otho C. Snider, Treasurer
    W. Wyan Goodwin
    Thomas J. Green
    J. E. Hutt
    Irwin R. Kirkwood
    H. M. C. Low
    A. B. H. McGee

  • Signers of Articles of Incorporation

    June 1923

    Fred Fleming
    Heath Moore
    William H. Scarritt
    John H. Lathrop
    Rose Adelaide Witham
    H.M.C. Low
    Otho C. Snider
    Marvin H. Gates
    Samuel W. Sawyer
    J.E. Maxwell
    H.E. Minty
    J.E. Hutt

History & Tradition

The oldest independent school west of the Mississippi, Barstow celebrated 135 years of innovative education during the 2019-2020 school year.

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  • Inclusion Diversity + Equity

    The Barstow School is committed to building and sustaining a school community that highly values inclusion and diversity, embraces cultural awareness, supports racial equity and justice, and promotes equal opportunities for all.
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COVID-19 Information & Resources

The Barstow School is open for the 2023–2024 school year with protocols in place that protect the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and visitors to campus. 

IDEA Space KC

Kansas City's future center for Innovation, Discovery, Entrepreneurship and Arts. Now open for after school classes, summer camps and partnerships.

Barstow Global Online

Barstow Global Online meets the growing demand for a non-traditional education and adds the proven value of a degree from The Barstow School.

International Partner Schools

The Barstow School is proud to have partnerships with schools around the world, allowing student and teacher exchanges and academic collaboration.

Global Campuses

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  • The Barstow School

    Kansas City, Missouri

  • The Barstow School – Cixi Campus

    Cixi, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

  • The Barstow School Ghana

    Accra, Ghana

  • The Barstow School – Haishu Campus

    Haishu, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China

  • The Barstow School — INO Campus

    Istanbul, Türkiye

  • The Barstow School – Ningbo Campus

    Luotuo, Zhenhai, Ningbo, China

Partner Schools

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  • Cloud Forest School

    Monteverde, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
    Partner school

  • Colegio La Merced

    Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
    Partner school

  • Deutsche Schule Madrid

    Madrid, Spain
    Partner school

  • Groupe Scolaire Chevreul Lestonnac

    Lyon, France
    Partner school

  • Launceston Church Grammar School

    Mowbray, Tasmania, Australia
    Partner school

  • Lycée Anne de Kiev

    Kyiv, Ukraine
    Partner school

  • Man Kwan Pak Kau College

    Tin Shui Wai, Hong Kong
    Partner school

  • Institution Sainte Jeanne D'arc

    Dakar, Senegal
    Partner school

A Barstow Career

Faculty and staff are part of a community that values innovation, collaboration and communication.
Barstow offers educators an independent and collegiate atmosphere in which to teach and grow professionally. Staff members pursue careers in nonprofit administration, marketing and communications, fundraising and support roles. We also have many opportunities for qualified substitute teachers. 

Full-time employee benefits include life and health insurance, short-term disability care, generous sick leave, holiday packages and the Lincoln Financial retirement program. Faculty and staff are encouraged to pursue professional development opportunities.

Apply

Please download and complete the application for employment. You will need Acrobat Reader to open the file. You may complete the form online and print it, but the data will not be saved. Mail or email your completed application, resume and a cover letter to us.

The Barstow School
Attn: Recruiting
11511 State Line Road
Kansas City, MO 64114

Current Openings

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  • 2024-2025 School Counseling Position

    Term: 
    2024-2025 School Year
     
    The Barstow School is seeking a certified school counselor beginning in August, 2024.  Founded in 1884, The Barstow School is an educational innovator serving more than 750 coeducational students in preschool-grade 12. Our student-to-counselor ratio at Barstow is 250 to 1, providing an excellent opportunity to get to know, engage and make a difference in the lives of all of our students. Additionally, we have additional extraordinary faculty who manage student scheduling and college counseling, so members of our school counseling department can stay focused on working to support students in their daily lives. 
     
    Required qualifications:
    Masters degree in school counseling or equivalent;
    School counseling credential in the state of Missouri
     
    Preferred Additional Qualifications:
    Teaching experience
    LPC, LCPC or other licensure
     
    Read More

  • Barstow Global Online Content Creator - Middle School & Upper School - Math, English, Science, History, World Languages and electives

    GENERAL INFORMATION

    The Barstow School is seeking energetic, motivated educators for online course content development.  Duties include: Create content for online, asynchronous courses through Barstow Global Online, following the template provided in the Bartow Global Online Course Development Handbook.
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  • Director of Alumni Relations

    The Barstow School Advancement Department seeks a full-time exempt year-round Director of Alumni Relations whose duties include managing and overseeing the relationship between Barstow and its alumni community. This role involves developing and executing comprehensive engagement strategies to foster a sense of connection, pride, and lifelong involvement among alumni.

    This position is a critical member of a high-functioning Advancement Department; key responsibilities include communication and outreach, event planning, cultivating and maintaining relationships, volunteer recruitment and management, and alumni historian.
    Read More

  • Extended Care Employee

    The Barstow School's before and after school program seeks high-energy employees for the 2020-2021 school year. Extended Care if offered from 7-8 a.m. and 2:45-6 p.m. and serves students in preschool-grade 8. This is a great way for college students to gain experience and make connections for future employment. If you are pursuing an education degree or have experience working with children, you may qualify for an interview. Employees can expect to work 10-18 hours a week with the opportunity for flexible scheduling. Email Max Williams or call 816-277-0429.

  • IDEA Space KC Design and Fabrication Coordinator

    GENERAL DESCRIPTION
     
    This is a full time, 12 month exempt position.
    The Design and Fabrication Coordinator builds consistent and ongoing learning experiences for students and teachers to grow their comfort and confidence in STEAM.  The Coordinator's time is split as follows:
     
    Curriculum Development and Delivery — 70%
    Supplies and Equipment Oversight — 30%
               
    Read More

  • Long Term School Counseling Substitute

    Term: 
    January 2024-May 2024

    The Barstow School is seeking a certified school counselor for a long-term substitute position that begins in January 2024.  Founded in 1884, The Barstow School is an educational innovator serving more than 750 coeducational students in preschool-grade 12. Our student-to-counselor ratio at Barstow is 250 to 1, providing an excellent opportunity to get to know, engage and make a difference in the lives of all of our students. Additionally, we have additional extraordinary faculty who manage student scheduling and college counseling, so members of our school counseling department can stay focused on working to support students in their daily lives. 

    Required qualifications:
    Masters degree in school counseling or equivalent;
    School counseling credential in the state of Missouri
     
    Preferred Additional Qualifications:
    Teaching experience
    LPC, LCPC or other licensure
    Read More

  • Substitute Teachers

    Posted August 24, 2021

    The Barstow School is seeking energetic, communicative, and creative people for substitute teachers.  Substitute positions are available for both elementary and secondary levels.  The ideal candidate will be flexible, energetic and willing to engage with students in a vibrant educational environment.
    Read More

Downloads

List of 1 frequently asked questions.

  • Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students and Employees

    The Barstow School admits students of any race, religion, national or ethnic origin with all the rights, privileges, programs and activities accorded or made available to all students. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability or any other characteristic protected by the law in the administration of its educational and admission policies, financial aid policies, scholarship and loan programs or athletic and other school-administered programs.

    This policy of nondiscrimination governs the hiring of employees as well and includes the administration of all benefits and policies throughout the term of employment.
Fax: 816-942-3227

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