Clayton School District officials are envisioning a temporary bridge campus at the former Fontbonne University campus that could house students for several years as major school renovations unfold across the district.
Superintendent Nisha Patel says the district is continuing discussions with Washington University about using part of the Fontbonne site to temporarily relocate Glenridge Elementary students during the school’s planned renovation under Proposition O, the $135 million bond measure approved by voters last month. WashU purchased the Fontbonne campus in 2024 after the school announced it would cease operations during the summer of 2025.
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The Clayton School District is exploring a five-year lease agreement that includes two one-year options, Patel says, potentially allowing the temporary campus to serve multiple elementary school renovation projects over time.
“That would allow us to get Glenridge there for a couple years,” Patel says. “Then our hope is to go back out for a zero tax rate bond increase for Phase 2, which would be Meramec Elementary School. Once Glenridge leaves, Meramec would come in. The two one-year options just give us some buffer.”
Under the district’s proposal, modular classrooms would be installed on part of the Fontbonne campus, while students would also use portions of the Dunham Student Center for physical education, cafeteria needs, and larger school events.
“We want to ensure we have a strong, uninterrupted learning experience for all of our students at the elementary school,” Patel says.
As part of the district’s planning, Patel says school officials are also evaluating transportation logistics, recognizing that some students who currently walk to Glenridge may not be able to walk to the Fontbonne campus. Otherwise, Patel sees several advantages in the Fontbonne site, including its central location within Clayton, proximity to Wydown Middle School, and the availability of existing campus infrastructure.
“It’s within our neighborhood, and we know our parents love their neighborhood schools,” Patel says. “This just happens to be a perfect opportunity.”
Should an agreement be reached, district officials hope to begin preliminary site preparation work as early as next month. That includes infrastructure planning and preparing the site for the installation of modular classrooms. Students and staff would then potentially move into the bridge campus during summer 2027. Glenridge students would attend the bridge campus during the 2027–28 and 2028–29 school years while the school undergoes renovation and expansion ahead of Glenridge’s 100th anniversary.
“We will do the best we can to make sure it feels and looks like a school,” Patel says.
The discussions come as WashU leaders continue to evaluate the long-term future of the Fontbonne campus. At a Clayton Plan Commission/Architectural Review Board meeting last month, JoAnna Schooler, WashU’s assistant vice chancellor of local government and community relations, said buildings across the Fontbonne site are in “varied conditions.” Some need repairs related to last year’s tornado, while others are candidates for demolition, Schooler said. Schooler also acknowledged ongoing discussions between WashU and the school district about possible use of part of the campus.
Patel says the district will continue to communicate with families as plans progress.
