History

TJ is founded as a strong academic boarding school for boys in the Midwest.

TJ Founder Charles E. Merrill, Jr. brings a teenaged Jewish-Hungarian refugee, Bernat Rosner, to the school right after World War II. This is the beginning of TJ’s enduring connection to Eastern Europe. Mr. Rosner graduates and goes on to become General Counsel for Safeway Stores.

The school enrolls a Japanese student who is possibly the first to enter an American prep school after the war. This student, Jun Sakurai, goes on to become a famous physicist at UCLA.

Two years before the Brown v. Board of Education decision, TJ becomes the first St. Louis independent school to admit a black student, beginning its long history of graduating high-achieving African-Americans.

TJ admits girls for the first time.

TJ adds 8th grade.

TJ adds 7th grade.

The first-ever Capital Campaign begins in order to build an academic building and additional dormitory space.

The Eastern European Scholarship is initiated by Charles Merrill. It brings one student per year to TJ. A strong relationship with SPLOT, a Polish school, is currently the focus of this scholarship.

The OPUS scholarship opens the door for musically talented minority students. The first, Ketsia Theodor, was raised in Haiti.  Her parents eventually moved the family to St. Louis.  She goes on to graduate from Carleton College, attend law school, and become a lawyer.

The Vera Lane Memorial Kitchen and Dining Room is added to Main.

The Morgan Lecture Series is initiated upon the retirement of Lawrence A Morgan, our second Head of School.

The Founders Scholarship for Hispanic students funds Soraya Villavicencio, whose family comes from Mexico. She attends Duke University, and eventually becomes a physician.

During the 60th Anniversary celebration, TJ embarks on its second Capital Campaign to renovate facilities and to increase endowment.

The William C. Rowe Native Species Tribute Garden is established to mark the retirement of our third Head of School.

Elizabeth L. Holekamp is appointed fourth Head of School, the first female Head.

Main building is dedicated to one of our founders, Charles E. Merrill, Jr.

TJ pioneers a gender-inclusive housing program.

Matthew Troutman, Ph.D. is appointed the fifth Head of School.

TJ celebrates its 75th anniversary.

Jane Ballard Roth is appointed the sixth Head of School.