Cardinal Ritter College Prep

Design of the new school is symbolic of its role in the urban community

Cardinal Ritter's commitment to preparing students for leadership roles in a multi-ethnic society was the driving force behind Christner's design for this highly-regarded co-educational Catholic school. Located within the Grand Center cultural district, our design places emphasis on the interdisciplinary learning taking place, utilizing adaptable classrooms, flexible laboratories, multi-functional common spaces, and a library designed for collaborative learning experiences. The new campus creates an anchor on the western edge of an urban area attracting serious investment in the arts and education.

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Size: 83,000 sf
Status: Completed 2003
Associate Architect: Grice Group Architects

<p>Cardinal Ritter's students are highly regarded for academic excellence and community involvement. The school's design reflects these values and creates an incubator for future community leaders.</p>

Cardinal Ritter's students are highly regarded for academic excellence and community involvement. The school's design reflects these values and creates an incubator for future community leaders.

<p>Christner solved the complex problem of accomodating outdoor athletics, parking and future expansion by vacating a block-long portion of a street and placing Cardinal Ritter at the terminus of Grand Center, thus anchoring this important urban space.</p>

Christner solved the complex problem of accomodating outdoor athletics, parking and future expansion by vacating a block-long portion of a street and placing Cardinal Ritter at the terminus of Grand Center, thus anchoring this important urban space.

<p>Serving 400 students, the school provides a two-story classroom wing incorporating flexible science labs, art and music classrooms.</p>

Serving 400 students, the school provides a two-story classroom wing incorporating flexible science labs, art and music classrooms.

<p>The school is nestled in an urban community close to prominent institutions, including The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts and Saint Louis University which participate in joint educational programs with Cardinal Ritter.</p>

The school is nestled in an urban community close to prominent institutions, including The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts and Saint Louis University which participate in joint educational programs with Cardinal Ritter.

<p>The design for Cardinal Ritter's chapel is an expression of their mission of creating a spiritual environment. Students of all religious backgrounds are included in the student body.</p>

The design for Cardinal Ritter's chapel is an expression of their mission of creating a spiritual environment. Students of all religious backgrounds are included in the student body.

<p>The primary activity zone is the two-story commons, which can be quickly reconfigured for cafeteria dining, all-school dances and theater performances. The commons is flanked by the chapel, library and gymnasium.</p>

The primary activity zone is the two-story commons, which can be quickly reconfigured for cafeteria dining, all-school dances and theater performances. The commons is flanked by the chapel, library and gymnasium.

<p>The library incorporates adjacent conference rooms to create breakout learning spaces for small student groups. Teacher workrooms and the administrative offices are located nearby.</p>

The library incorporates adjacent conference rooms to create breakout learning spaces for small student groups. Teacher workrooms and the administrative offices are located nearby.