Our History

For nearly 60 years, the initial vision for the school has continued to nurture personal and academic success for young learners.

Dr. Clifford E. Nobes, former rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, founded St. Paul's Day School in 1963.  He recognized a need in the community for a school that could offer superior academic curriculum in an atmosphere that would foster religious education and character development. 

Read more about the school's history and significant changes below.

Dr. Clifford Nobes, St. Paul's Episcopal Day School Founder

Dr. Clifford Nobes, St. Paul's Episcopal Day School Founder

St. Paul's Through the Decades

School History

  • 1963: The school opens as a preschool with 43 students and four staff members.
  • 1977: The school expands into the nearby Rollins Building, an unoccupied KCMO public school.
  • 1992: The Rollins Building is destroyed by a fire, and school leaders decide to rebuild the school in the same site.
  • 1994: The current three-story school structure opens.
  • 1998: A new three-acre athletic field is dedicated and opens for student use.
  • 2009: A newly expanded North Wing addition opens, housing toddler - kindergarten classrooms, an auditorium, and a cafeteria.
  • 2019: Renovations are completed on the school's three-story south building, offering flexible learning spaces, an expanded science lab, and new art rooms for 1st - 8th grade students.
  • 2021: A new playground is added for 1st - 4th grade students.
  • 2022: Renovations are completed on our 4th - 8th grade playground and multi-sport court.

21st Century Learning Spaces

Students work on a STEAM activity in the St. Paul's Maker Space.

Students work on a STEAM activity in the St. Paul's Maker Space.

St. Paul's lower School students utilize their flexible common space for a group presentation.

Lower School students utilize their flexible common space for a group presentation.

St. Paul's first graders start their day with some group learning in a renovated bright classroom.

First graders start their day with some group learning in a newly renovated classroom.

A St. Paul's student reads on a large orange pillow in the library

Students can stretch out in the spacious library filled with comfortable and colorful furniture.

St. Paul's Middle School students gather in the flexible common space with colorful furniture.

Middle School students gather in a flexible common space intended for large gatherings or small group project work.

Middle school students create colorful projects in a bright art room.

Middle school students work on individual projects in one of two rooms dedicated to visual art.

Middle school students enjoy experimenting in their expanded and flexible science lab.

Middle school students enjoy experimenting in their expanded and flexible science lab.

Middle school students gather for small group learning in their flexible common space

Middle school students gather in their common space designed for flexible learning.

Toddler - Kindergarten students are join by family and friends for daily chapel in their Early Childhood Center common space.

Toddler - Kindergarten students are join by family and friends for daily chapel in their Early Childhood Center common space.

Second grade students break into small groups for guided and individual reading. 

Second grade students break into small groups for guided and individual reading. 

Students work on collages with preschool teacher, Mr. Christiansen, during arts & crafts time.

Students work on collages with preschool teacher, Mr. Christiansen, during arts & crafts time.

Kindergarten students gather as a group for an interactive and engaging grammar and spelling lesson.

Kindergarten students gather as a group for an interactive and engaging grammar and spelling lesson.

A group of 5th grade students read in a St. Paul's common space.

3rd - 5th grade students can spread out in their dedicated common space for individual projects or larger gatherings.