Pembroke Hill School (Top Ranked Private School for 2024-25)

400 W 51st St
Kansas City, MO 64112

Pembroke Hill School is an independent, college preparatory day school serving students age 2 through grade 12.

We have two state-of-the-art campuses located less than a mile apart.Our students enjoy a robust curriculum, including STEM opportunities, foreign language and art options, along with 30+ clubs.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

Top Ranked MO School
Grades: Nursery/Preschool-12
Enrollment: 1,181 students
Yearly Tuition: $26,865
Average class size: 16 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Pembroke Hill School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Missouri for:

School Overview

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Nursery/Preschool-12

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Learning Programs Supported

Mild Learning Differences

Year Founded

1910

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

Link to Summer Program Details

School Calendar

Link to School Calendar

Student Body

Total Students

1,181 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

14%

State avg.: 21%

Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

139 teachers

Student : Teacher Ratio

8:1

National avg.: 13:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

54%

Average Class Size

16 students

Number of AP Courses

20 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Advanced Courses

Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Chinese, Economics (Micro & Macro), English Literature, Environmental Science, French Language, Latin, Physics 1, Physics 2, Physics C, Psychology, Spanish Languate, Statistics, Studio Art (2-D, 3-D and Drawing), U.S. Government & Politics, U.S. History

Average SAT score

1400

(Out of 1600)

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

Link to Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Jan. 15 / rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$26,865

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Upper school tuition listed.

Summer Program Cost Notes

Varies by weeks enrolled

% on Financial Aid

29%

Admissions Director

Laura Linn

Admissions Associate

Samantha Piper

Sports

Total Sports Offered

17 sports

Sports

Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Dance, Diving, Drill Team, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Wrestling

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

60 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:
Lower School Chess Club, Lower School Math Club, Lower School Recycling, Lower School Safety Patrol, Middle School Chinese Club, Middle School French Club, Middle School Math Club, Middle School Raider Club, Middle School Recycling, Middle School Sicence Olympiad, Middle School Spanish Club, Middle School Student Council, Upper School Asian Club, Upper School AWARE, Upper School Book Club, Upper School Campus Guides, Upper School Chess Club, Upper School Common Ground, Upper School Community Service Board, Upper School Cooking Club, Upper School Cum Laude, Upper School Environmental Club, Upper School Envirothon Team, Upper School India Club, Upper School International Club, Upper School Italian Club, Upper School L'Alliance Francaise, Upper School Latin Club, Upper School Leadership Advisory Board, Upper School Learning It Together, Upper School Link Crew, Upper School Math Team, Upper School National Forensics League, Upper School Peer Helpers, Upper School Pep Club, Upper School Robotics, Upper School Science Bowl, Upper School Science Olympiad, Upper School Social Media Committee, Upper School Spanish Club, Upper School Student Government, Upper School Youth In Government

Arts and Music Programs:
Lower School Chorus (51st Street Singers), Lower School Private Music Lessons, Middle School Art Club, Middle School Chamber Music, Middle School Collage - Fine Arts Magazine, Middle School Creative Writing Club, Middle School Foreign Language Film Festival Club, Upper School Art Club, Upper School Choral Groups, Upper School Garret - Fine Arts Magazine, Upper School Photo/Film Club, Upper School Pinnacle - Yearbook, Upper School Voice - Newspaper, Upper School Writers Club

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Lower School Field Hockey, Lower School Sports Teams, Lower School Track Club, Upper School Frisbee Club

School Notes

Our History

Pembroke Hill was created in 1984 through the merger of the all-girls Sunset Hill School (founded in 1913) and the all-boys Pembroke-Country Day School (founded in 1910).

Our Students

Nearly 1,200 students, age 2 years through 12th grade, are enrolled each year. Our students learn in an environment where expectations are high and excellence is expected. At PHS, all students work hard and find supportive peers in their academic and extracurricular endeavors.
Students from seven surrounding counties and 78 different zip codes, in both Kansas and Missouri, travel to Pembroke Hill each day. These students represent a variety of socioeconomic, religious, ethnic and racial backgrounds; students of color represent 30 percent of the school population. Over 100 of our current students have at least one parent who was born outside of the United States.
In the 2022-23 school year, $3 million in need-based financial aid was awarded to approximately 25 percent of the student body.

Class of 2022 Profile

100 percent of Pembroke Hill seniors go on to a four-year college. Last year, 110 students graduated from Pembroke Hill.
They matriculated to 72 different colleges and universities.

Our Faculty

The school has 121 faculty members; 72 have master`s degrees and eight hold doctorates. The average Pembroke Hill faculty member has 17 years of teaching experience.
The student-faculty ratio is 11:1 in the Lower School and 16:1 in the Middle and Upper School.

School Life

Pembroke Hill has a strong commitment to community service, from our youngest students through upper school. Sixty hours of service during upper school are required for graduation. A large majority exceed this requirement. Despite Covid restrictions, 63 percent of the Class of 2021 exceeded the sixty-hour requirement, and the entire class amassed a total of 11,331 community service hours.
Our extracurricular program offers extensive opportunities for students beginning in kindergarten. Students may participate in chess, publications, community service, student government, interscholastic athletics (starting in middle school) and special interest clubs. Nearly 80 percent of our upper school students are involved in an extracurricular activity; 75 percent are part of an athletic team.
Our parent community is an integral part of PHS. The Parents Association provides tremendous support through volunteers, fundraising and input on school issues.

Governance

Pembroke Hill is operated by a Board of Trustees whose 23 members include parents, alumni and city leaders.

Accreditation

Pembroke Hill is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- John Kander '44 - Tony Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated Broadway theatre composer; musicals include Chicago, Cabaret, and Fosse; songs include Theme from New York, New York; films include Cabaret and Chicago
- Bill Rockne, '35 & Knute Rockne Jr. '37 - Sons of Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne, who was leaving Kansas City after visiting his sons at Pem-Day when he died in a plane crash

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Pembroke Hill School cost?

Pembroke Hill School's tuition is approximately $26,865 for private students.

Who are famous alumni from Pembroke Hill School?

Pembroke Hill School famous alumni include: John Kander '44 and Bill Rockne, '35 & Knute Rockne Jr. '37.

Does Pembroke Hill School offer a summer program?

Yes, Pembroke Hill School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What sports does Pembroke Hill School offer?

Pembroke Hill School offers 17 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Dance, Diving, Drill Team, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling. Pembroke Hill School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Missouri for most sports offered.

What is Pembroke Hill School's ranking?

Pembroke Hill School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Missouri for: Highest average ACT score, Largest student body, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered and Oldest founding date.

When is the application deadline for Pembroke Hill School?

The application deadline for Pembroke Hill School is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

In what neighborhood is Pembroke Hill School located?

Pembroke Hill School is located in the Sunset Hill neighborhood of Kansas City, MO.

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