List of 10 frequently asked questions.

• What is The Barstow School?

  The Barstow School is a coeducational, independent college prep school in Kansas City serving students from preschool prep through grade 12. Founded in 1884, it is the oldest independent school west of the Mississippi. Barstow is consistently recognized by Niche.com as one the best private or independent schools in Kansas City.

• How are students supported academically?

  Teachers emphasize personalized learning by getting to know each student’s strengths and interests, allowing for tailored instruction and support. Beginning in lower school, our faculty teaches executive functioning (planning, focusing attention, remembering instructions, and multitasking) and emphasizes individual responsibility, while still partnering with parents to support academic success. 
  
  Barstow offers 70+ Advanced Placement, Honors, and Honors College courses in the areas of English, mathematics, science, History & Social Science, world language, the arts, physical education and leadership & service learning. The curriculum is designed with three levels of rigor: college prep, honors and AP/Honors College to provide the best academic fit for each student. The school is recognized for its rigorous curriculum, including being named to the College Board's Platinum Level AP Honor Roll.

• How large is the school?

  Enrollment is approximately 800 students from the Kansas City metro area, with a student-teacher ratio of about 10:1. Compared to larger private or independent schools, Barstow offers small class sizes that allow for individualized attention. That instructional design is foundational to the School’s mission and values.

• What extracurricular opportunities are available?

  Barstow offers middle and upper school athletics and is a member of the Crossroads Conference and the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA). Student-athletes participate in eleven sports: soccer, cross country, tennis, volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, dance team, girls swimming and diving, baseball, golf, and track and field. 
  
  Performing arts opportunities include upper, middle and lower school musicals, an annual upper school play, the Pretenders student-produced play, choral and instrumental music, speech and debate and a student-run television station called BTVN. Barstow has a signature FIRST Robotics Team in upper school and an FTC Robotics team in middle school. In middle and upper school, students are encouraged to organize, lead and participate in clubs that broaden and deepen their interests in a broad spectrum of subjects, service projects, hobbies and affinity groups. The School encourages students to explore multiple interests rather than specialize early.

• What makes Barstow unique?

  Barstow combines rigorous academics with individualized learning, emphasizing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math), service, leadership and character development. The school highlights a strong sense of community, innovation (including responsible AI learning), and opportunities in academics, arts and athletics. Barstow is innovative, balanced and community-driven to benefit every curious, motivated student we admit. Barstow values participation and opportunity, with no-cut athletics programming, theatrical productions, robotics teams and numerous other extracurricular activities.

• What is the school culture like?

  Barstow emphasizes belonging, inclusiveness, involvement and character. Core values include integrity, accountability, courage and lifelong learning. Families often describe a connected, supportive community across all grade levels. 
  
  Parents and guardians automatically become members of the Barstow Parents’ Association upon a student’s enrollment, and are welcomed as volunteers and organizers of events including Harvest Festival, Culture Fest, Bloom Spring Social and Teacher Appreciation Week. Parents also lead our Booster Club and Friends of The Arts organizations. 
  
  Students develop friendships across divisions through traditions including Kindergarten-Senior Buddies, grade-level Move Up Days and all-school pep assemblies and celebrations.

• What is the academic approach?

  Barstow offers a college prep curriculum with a focus on critical thinking, collaboration and real-world application. Instruction is often hands-on and project-based, designed to build 21st-century skills. As the only RAIL (Responsible AI in Learning)-certified school in Kansas City, Barstow is implementing guidelines that encourage students to use emerging AI technology to enhance — not replace — critical thinking and research skills.

• Does Barstow prepare students for college?

  Yes. Barstow is a college prep school focused on preparing students for higher education and meaningful careers, with an emphasis on intellectual, social, and emotional development. Working with students and parents, our dedicated College Counseling department provides guidance beginning as early as middle school, through a graduated process that assists with college exploration, application and matriculation. Our experienced counselors emphasize finding the right academic, social and financial fit when selecting a college or university.
  43 graduates in the Class of 2026 received 233 acceptances to 115 colleges and universities. Matriculation includes Duke University, Northwestern University, Carnegie Mellon University, Howard University, Creighton University, University of Michigan, George Washington University, Columbia University, Grinnell College, Washington University-St. Louis, Bryn Mawr College, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Pepperdine University.

• How diverse is the student body?

  Students come from more than 70 ZIP codes across Kansas and Missouri, and the school prioritizes building a diverse community socially, economically and culturally. Through self-identified ethnicity, Missouri and Kansas families at Barstow identify as Caucasian, African-American, Asian, Latino/Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Native American, Pacific Islander, multiethnic and international.

• What role do families play in the school community?

  Barstow views families as partners in education and encourages active engagement in school life and student development.