Measure of Excellence

In partnership with its dynamic communities, the Kirkwood R-7 School District has built a solid reputation as a district where children and their needs come first. District staff, parents and community members work together to provide innovative educational programs which focus on what today's youth must know and learn to become tomorrow's leaders.

The district, chartered in 1865, is one of the oldest in St. Louis County. Located approximately 15 miles from the city of St. Louis, Kirkwood's R-7 School District covers an area of 14 square miles and serves all, or portions of, eight suburban communities: Des Peres, Frontenac, Glendale, Huntleigh, Kirkwood, Oakland, Town and Country and Warson Woods. Parts of the area are also served by the Parkway School District and the Webster Groves School District.

With sidewalks and tree-lined streets, many Kirkwood School District neighborhoods are within walking or biking distance of the district's five elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. The Kirkwood Early Childhood Center and a "Parents as Teachers" program serve the needs of children from birth through ten years of age. There is also a wide variety of nursery and pre-school options for parents.

District students and staff earn recognition at the local, state and national levels. Students consistently score above state and national norms on standardized tests (ACT & SAT) and demonstrate their knowledge on a variety of performance-based tests. Each year several students reach the National Merit Scholarship Finals. Kirkwood High School offers advance placement courses in art, English, mathematics, science, and social studies which provide opportunities to earn college credit while still in high school.

High school graduates can begin their college careers at the Meramec Campus of St. Louis Community College in southern Kirkwood. St. Louis Community College, which includes the Meramec Campus, is the largest institution of higher learning in the State of Missouri. The 14,000 students can enroll in 42 majors that earn associate degrees or certificates. Some students transfer to a four-year college or university to complete work on a bachelor's degree, while others gain specialized career training and either continue at a technical college or enter the workforce. In addition, there is a diverse range of continuing education courses available. Classes are offered days, evenings and weekends.

The Meramec Campus employs more than 1,000 people, many of whom are nationally recognized in their field. It serves as a resource for individuals, groups and organizations, including the Kirkwood Area Chamber of Commerce and co-sponsors many community events.

Missouri College is a nationally accredited technical college which provides education for careers in health care, computers and business. Students can earn a diploma or an associate degree in high demand fields. The college has an active placement department which works with each graduate to help them find a job.

Some of the other regional institutions offering higher education include Webster University, Missouri Baptist College, St. Louis University, Fontbonne College, Lindenwood College, Washington University, and the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

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Doing Business

The Kirkwood Area is doing business in a big way. Des Peres, Kirkwood and Warson Woods have thriving business districts, while Glendale and Oakland have more of a residential ambiance.

Kirkwood has a well-balanced mix of businesses that includes large national retailers, regional and national companies, hospitals, medical and professional offices, specialty firms, and small businesses. Kirkwood Commons shopping center is the community's newest development. Kirkwood Junction, the city's downtown shopping district is comprised of over 300 retailers, restaurants, consumer services, business and professional offices. Through the Kirkwood Special Business District, business and property owners sponsor special events such as the Kirkwood Junction Jamboree, the Christmas Walk and promotions that draw crowds to the commercial heart of the community. Downtown Kirkwood is dotted with specialty shops, including many antique dealers for the true collector. Also in Kirkwood on Manchester Road is a friendly little shopping area called The Greentree Center.

Des Peres is a shopping mecca, with Westfield SHOPPINGTOWN–West County Center, Des Peres Square, Olympic Oaks Center, Schnucks Center, and a Sam's Club. Retail sales in the community reach $250,000,000 annually; many acres remain in this bustling community for future business development.

Kirkwood offers technical assistance and financial incentives to potential new businesses. Warson Woods and Glendale seek to enhance their cities by continuing to add retail shops and restaurants to their mix of finance, service and offices.

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Staying Healthy

SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood is a not-for-profit acute care community hospital serving areas in St. Louis County, along with Franklin and Jefferson counties. The Hospital is licensed for 282 beds and has more than 500 physicians on the medical staff representing a variety of specialties. With more than 900 employees, the Hospital is one of the largest employers in the city of Kirkwood.

Inpatient and outpatient medical diagnosis and treatment are provided through specialty clinical services which include Women's & Children's Health, Surgical, Cardiovascular and Seniors. Other services provided include Home Care, Hospice Care, Rehabilitation, Critical Care, Skilled Nursing, Emergency Department, and Glennon Care, 24-hour emergency services for children.

St. Joseph Hospital's Health & Wellness department provides ongoing, extensive community education and screening programs to the community. Additional services offered by St. Joseph include physician satellite offices located throughout the community for easy access and a transportation service for patients.

Deaconess West Hospital is on Dougherty Ferry Rd. at the interchange of I-270. Every patient room is a private room in this 167-bed community facility. A wide variety of medical and surgical services are offered, including emergency medicine, heart care, orthopedics, rehab, psychiatry and hemodialysis.

St. Anthony's Medical Center, just south of I-270 on Tesson Ferry, is a medical/surgical hospital offering diagnostic and therapeutic services with a broad range of specialties including: cardiology, oncology, maternity, orthopedics, emergency, chemical dependency and psychiatry. As a member of Unity Health hospital network, doctors and health care professionals work together to serve individuals and organizations throughout the greater St. Louis area.

Several quality nursing homes in the area offer skilled short and long term nursing care. And, of course, numerous medical offices are found in the business centers of Kirkwood and Des Peres, and along busy Manchester Rd.

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Keeping the Faith

The Kirkwood Area has over 27 religious denominations, some of which are Eliot Unitarian Chapel, First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood, Praise Fellowship Assembly of God and Concordia Lutheran Church.

For over 125 years, Concordia Lutheran Church has served Kirkwood and its neighboring community. As a member of the Chamber of Commerce and participants in local affairs, this congregation actively meets the needs of the community. Concordia's impressive steeple on Kirkwood Road points to the spiritual heritage of this community.

Kirkwood is also home to the International Headquarters of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

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Serving the Public Will

The governments of the five Kirkwood Area communities assure a full roster of public services, including police and fire protection. Kirkwood takes the task a step further by directly providing residents and businesses with electricity and water. Other communities obtain water from the St. Louis County Water Company and electricity through AmerenUE.

Of the five communities, Des Peres, Kirkwood and Glendale have professional city administrators to oversee the day-to-day operations of government and carry out the mandates of the mayor and city council. In Oakland and Warson Woods, the mayor is responsible for daily government operations.

Des Peres, Kirkwood and Warson Woods have successfully mixed substantial residential areas with retail, services, and other businesses. The residential communities of Glendale and Warson Woods share a border along heavily commercial Manchester Road, providing each with a small area of retail outlets and services. Oakland is strictly residential with no multi-family housing.

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