J. Milton Turner School

J. Milton Turner School is a two-story U-shaped brick building constructed in multiple phases between 1925 and 1948 in the Meacham Park neighborhood. The Kirkwood School District now uses it as an administrative center while maintaining rental spaces for external tenants.

The school operated from 1925 to 1977, serving Black students during the segregation era. It closed following federal court decisions that ended forced school separation in the area.

The building carries the name of James Milton Turner, an African American educator who shaped education and community development in Missouri. His name represents the effort to provide better schooling opportunities for Black students in the region.

The building is accessible during school district office hours if you arrange a visit in advance. It is best to contact the administration beforehand to schedule a time to see the site.

A major renovation in 2006 completely transformed the former schoolhouse and changed its purpose entirely. The project showed how historical buildings from the segregation era can serve new functions while keeping their past in view.