It took one 7-year-old named Anthony in a bleak education system to inspire Don Danforth ’82 to found a school. Danforth met Anthony when he began as a tutor at the Boys and Girls Club in St. Louis, MO. Eventually becoming the director of education, Danforth was inspired to found a private, independent elementary school, City Academy, at the club in 1999.

Upon his graduation from SLU with a double major in history and English, Danforth took a position in marketing before realizing his passion for education. “I figured out what I didn’t want to do,” he said.

Danforth was inspired by his volunteer work in the tutoring program to begin a summer scholars program for children who were average to above average students but lacked summer opportunities. Shortly after the triumph of the summer program, Danforth founded City Academy, which offers a rigorous, inspiring, and affordable educational experience. The school started in 1999 with 42 students at the same Boys and Girls Club where Danforth began as a tutor.

 “Our simple philosophy from the beginning was to put together a top independent school with a high-quality education for families with limited resources due to economic, demographic or geographic factors,” Danforth said.

With the help of 700 donors in the St. Louis community, the City Academy team generates over $1.4 million in annual scholarship support to help the school thrive with 140 current students.

Danforth has found that an exciting aspect of his work is to watch his students grow through their education and eventually return to City Academy, the starting point of their educational path. Years later, Anthony periodically revisits City Academy as a volunteer.

A four-minute video highlighting City Academy’s journey and current status can be viewed at http://www.cityacademyschool.org/Video_77.aspx.                                         

--Haley Bourke ’12