Frequently Asked Questions
Are we planning to start the 2024-25 school year at St. Richard?
Answer: No. The renovations required for our school will not be ready in time for an August start up.
When will we move to the St. Richard location?
Answer: The plan is to move over the Christmas 2024 holiday and begin classes there in January 2025.
Will we have larger classrooms at the new facility?
Answer: Many classrooms are 24 x 30 feet. The classrooms are generally equal or more spacious than current classrooms at Alive.
Do the classrooms and offices have windows?
Answer: Yes! The classrooms have a full wall of windows.
Will we have Adoration in the Church?
Answer: Yes
Can we have confession in Church?
Answer: The Church has confessionals and we have access to them.
Will we have weekly Mass at St. Richard?
Answer: Yes! The beautiful church was completed in 1965 and Cardinal Joseph Ritter dedicated the church on January 9, 1966. The church was renovated in 2008.
When will there be a tour of the school for families?
Answer: Yes, there will be a tour available for St. Austin families sometime this summer.
Will the facility be tested for mold?
Answer: Yes. We will test for mold and remediate if needed. The school was renovated in 2006, closed in 2014 and was in consistent use by the Parish through May of 2024.
Will we be able to hold meetings at the school in the evenings?
Answer: Yes.
Is there a kitchen available for our use?
Answer: Yes. A full kitchen is available. Details and schedule need to be coordinated with the Parish for use of the kitchen.
Will we be able to host school plays, concerts, and other school events at St. Richard?
Answer: Yes. Details and schedule need to be coordinated with the Parish for use of the gym for these events in the evenings and weekends.
Will we have a large multi-purpose area?
Answer: Yes. The gym will serve as a multipurpose area for physical education, sports, large meetings, plays, concerts, as a cafeteria, and more.
Will we have an Art room?
Answer: Yes.
Will St Austin sport teams be able to use the gym and fields for practice and league games?
Answer: Yes. Details and schedules need to be coordinated with the St. Richard Athletic Association for night and weekend use.
Will we be able to use the gym and fields for PE?
Answer: Yes. The gym and fields will be available for PE and school related sports activities during the school day.
Will we have an outdoor play gym area for the lower school?
Answer: Yes!
Will we have to hold PE activities on the parking lot?
Answer: Only if a specific activity requires an outdoor hard surface. Otherwise, the students will have access to the indoor gym, an outdoor play gym area, and two large maintained fields for PE and sports activities.
Will drop off and pickup times stay the same?
Answer: Times are being evaluated now. Daily masses will be taken into consideration. We may have access to additional daily Masses.
Will there be early drop off and late pickup available at St. Richard?
Answer: Yes, same as current practice on Des Peres Rd.
Will we have PreK at St Richards?
Answer: Yes. The same 2 day, 3 day, and 5 day programs will be offered.
Will the entrance doors have secured access for the school building?
Answer: Yes.
How will we physically move to St. Richards?
Answer: We will hire a moving company for the move.
