News, resources, and opportunities for educators and students in the St. Louis region.

February 2026

From the desk of
Debbi Goldstein, PhD
Assistant Director, K-12 Engagement
“In St. Louis, For St. Louis” Initiative
Office of the Chancellor

Dear Partners in Education,

I hope this message finds you well and that your second semester has started smoothly and with positive momentum. 

I am delighted to share that I am approaching my one-year milestone in this role. It has been an incredibly rewarding year, marked by meaningful collaborations with local schools and educators. In those conversations, I learned that transportation, meals, parking, and space costs can create real barriers to visiting a college campus. 

This is why we’re excited to share an overview of a new K–12 Campus Visit Pilot Program being launched through the “In St. Louis, For St. Louis” Initiative, as part of Washington University in St. Louis’s ongoing commitment to expanding educational access for local students.  

This pilot is designed to make campus visits more accessible, welcoming, and feasible for St. Louis–area K–12 schools and youth-serving organizations. Through this pilot, WashU can help cover some logistical costs of on-campus visits, including parking, meals for students and chaperones, and use of campus meeting or conference space.  

Participating visits may include a wide range of experiences tailored to your students, such as campus tours, academic or enrichment presentations, faculty engagement, guided walks through the Arboretum, sustainability-focused tours, visits to campus exhibits, admissions tours, or other structured experiences that support college awareness and exploration. The pilot includes a short application, followed by simple coordination with our team once visit dates are confirmed, to ensure visits are well-supported and thoughtfully planned.

We hope to receive your application soon. You can find it linked here. 

Best,
Debbi

We are excited to celebrate ten years of supporting high school students from the St. Louis area – especially those who will be the first in their families to attend college and whose families might have limited income. 

Our College Prep Program (CPP) is a no-cost, four-year program that focuses on getting students ready for graduation, applying to colleges, and much more. Through a host of fun learning experiences, helpful workshops to grow skills, a special Summer Academy, and even opportunities to earn college credit, our scholars turn big ideas and even bigger ambitions into reality. 

Read the annual report from WashU →

ADMISSIONS

Prospective students can visit WashU all summer long through daily campus visits and student-led tours, or by using our interactive self-guided tour app. Rising seniors can also register for a Bear Chat—a casual, one-on-one conversation with a current WashU student.

We’ll also host Academic Theme Days, offering deeper engagement in specific areas of interest, including Business, Engineering, Art, Architecture & Design, Arts & Sciences, and Pre-Med.

Learn more and explore the full schedule of in-person and virtual events here. 

ADMISSIONS

We’re proud to partner with you to support students and celebrate the many ways they make our world better. Thank you for taking the time to learn about WashU and for trusting us as a place where your students can thrive—both academically and as part of a welcoming, values-driven community.

Our community is at the heart of the university, grounded in collaboration, respect, and purpose. We invite you to explore our guiding principles and visit our Counselors & Community-Based Organizations page for resources to help students determine if WashU is the right fit.

Questions? Please reach out to Demetrius Coleman (cdemetrius@wustl.edu), associate director of undergraduate admissions, or Isabel Carleton (carelton83@wustl.edu), assistant director of admissions and aid. They’re happy to answer questions, schedule school visits, and support special requests—Isabel also offers Financial Aid 101 presentations.

INSTITUTE FOR SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP

A Technology Boost! Teachers from across the St. Louis region are boosting their technology confidence and skills for themselves and their classrooms by participating in the AT&T Digital Navigation Program administered by WashU's Institute for School Partnership (ISP). Building on tech foundations that were set during sessions in the fall, the teachers are diving into Tier 2 to immerse themselves in tech tools that they can use to enhance the existing curriculum and collaborate with tech mentors. 

Learn more about the program here.

INSTITUTE FOR SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP

The date is set for the Fourth Annual Educator Showcase, from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Holmes Lounge on WashU's Danforth Campus. More than 20+ teaching professionals from across the St. Louis region are leading, learning, and growing as they partner with the ISP to research innovative solutions to some of today's most pressing challenges to classroom practice.  

SAM FOX SCHOOL

The Alberti Program: Architecture for Young People is a hands-on learning experience exploring the disciplines of architecture and design. Students are introduced to the field through creative-making processes guided by discussions with current WashU Architecture students, professional designers, and our Alberti Program Faculty Director, Assistant Professor Kelley Van Dyck Murphy. 
 
The 2026 Summer Program will be held at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts on the Danforth campus of Washington University in St. Louis and will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday from June 1 - 26 (excluding Friday, June 19 for Juneteenth). This opportunity is available to young people entering grades 4th through 9th grades in the 2026 fall semester.

Alberti Program applications for the 2026 in-person summer program are open through March 1, 2026. The application link can be found here.

WASHU LAW

We are pleased to invite you to observe the Model Constitution Convention (MCC) hosted at WashU Law on May 21–24, 2026.

The MCC is a national convening of undergraduate, law, and master’s students from across the country who engage in a hands-on exploration of constitutional law, democratic principles, and the constitutional amendment process. The program also features expert speakers in constitutional law and design.

Educators from other institutions are welcome to attend as observers to learn more about the simulated convention model and explore opportunities for professional growth and inter-institutional collaboration. Details about the event and observer policy are available in the FAQs.

Learn more about the convention here. An RSVP form to follow in early April.

WASHU LIBRARIES

This spring, Washington University is spotlighting an extraordinary piece of history with “Unalienable Rights: 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence,” a new exhibition at Olin Library featuring rare printed versions of the Declaration of Independence and objects that illuminate its meaning over the past 250 years. The display includes unique broadsides printed and distributed in the earliest days of the nation, plus historical letters, artworks, and materials that reflect how the document’s ideals have shaped and challenged our understanding of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The exhibit is free and open through July 19 at WashU’s Olin Library. 

Learn more and plan your visit here.

WASHU MEDICINE

Young Scientist Program Teaching Teams bring hands-on, inquiry-based science experiences to K–12 classrooms and community events across Greater St. Louis. Teams of WashU scientists deliver free, standards-aligned modules that spark curiosity and build science literacy—complete with all materials and volunteers provided. Programs can also include on-campus visits and tours of WashU’s world-class research facilities.

Learn more about the program here. 

PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT

Explore opportunities for St. Louis students and educators through the Washington University Performing Arts Department, including discounted tickets and special programs.

On February 19, 2026, educators are invited to an invitation-only High School Night at Edison Theatre, featuring a preview of Our Town. Teachers receive free admission to bring students, plus an optional pre-show tour of WashU’s theater and dance facilities before the 7:30 p.m. curtain.

Email pad@wustl.edu and mention the "In St. Louis, For St. Louis" newsletter for more information. 

Want to learn more about how WashU is working with community members to create a more vibrant region?

Visit our website.

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