Welcome to Shepard Elementary School Instructional/MAP/PDSC Partnership Web Site

The History of Shepard Elementary School

The Shepard School was named for Elihu Htchkiss Shepard (1795-1876), an early educational pioneer and philanthropist in Saint Louis. Shepard came to Saint Louis in 1823 to teach languages at Saint Louis University. In 1828 he opened a private school which he operated until 1836. In that year he developed a plan for establishing a public school system for the city, and was on the committee which hired the system's first teachers. In addition, Shepard donated the lot on which the first "Shepard School" was built. Shepard also helped in the formation of a volunteer fire department. In 1866 Shepard originated the idea of the Missouri Historical Society and became one its founders and Charter member of the society. Shepard was a devoted patriot whose military career included service in the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War. Shepard retired from military service at age seventy.

The present school site is 3450 Wisconsin, the extreme eastern edge of the Cherokee Station area of South Saint Louis. This area, once a neighborhood shopping district, has become economically depressed but is making strides towards resurgence. The area of Cherokee Street known as "Antique Row" for its numerous antique and curio shops. The residences consist of single unit homes, one large apartment complex, and many multi-dwelling flats. Although most properties are cared for by their occupants, the buildings are generally old and in constant need of repair. The three major commercial units adjacent to the school are Anheueser Busch Brewing Corporation, Concordia Publishing Company, and Sigma Aldrich Chemical Company. Shepard is also located in close proximity to South Pointe and St. Alexius Hospitals.

Shepard School is the proud recipient of the 2004-2005 Missouri Gold Star Schools Award. The Gold Star schools met the same criteria as the No Child Left Behind -- Blue Ribbon schools. The schools are selected for their “high-level” achievement or “significant improvement” on the MAP communication arts and mathematics exams for each of the last three years. The significantly improved schools must serve 40 percent or more disadvantaged students. All of the schools also had to meet federal Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements for 2004.
 

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