Fontbonne University (Bri Nitsberg | Student Life).

Two years after Fontbonne University closed and WashU bought its campus, WashU has no “overall plan” for the future of the property, per Erika Ebsworth-Goold, WashU’s executive director of strategic initiatives. 

However, in the short term, the Clayton-based Glenridge Elementary School is now seeking a location for a temporary bridge campus to house its students during construction. The school district is in talks with WashU about using the Fontbonne property as the site.

“While an agreement has not been finalized, the former Fontbonne campus remains our most promising option, and we are optimistic about the possibility of establishing our temporary bridge campus there for the 2027-28 school year,” Gina Tarte, chief communications officer for the School District of Clayton, wrote to Student Life.

Fontbonne announced its closure in March 2024, citing declining enrollment numbers and continued budget deficits. WashU then purchased the campus for $39 million. 

The 16-acre site of the former private Catholic school borders the South 40 across Wydown Boulevard. Though the campus remains inactive, WashU does still dedicate resources to its maintenance. Ebsworth-Goold said that WashU facility crews are still repairing damage from the May 2025 tornado. Additionally, the Washington University Police Department patrols the property on a regular basis.

Voters in the Clayton School District approved Proposition O in the municipal elections in April, providing $135 million in funding for improvements, most notably for a full renovation of Glenridge. 

The current plans would be for temporary modular classrooms to be placed on part of the campus, though no formal agreement has been reached yet.

“WashU always aims to be a good neighbor and community partner. With that guiding principle in mind, the University continues preliminary discussions about ways it might assist the Clayton School District while executing its long-range facilities plan,” Ebsworth-Goold said.

However, the long-term future of the campus remains unclear. 

“There is no current timeline for development or renovation,” Ebsworth-Goold said.

Students have their own ideas about how to use the land. Those who spoke to Student Life had ideas ranging from an outdoor pool, more student housing, more parking, athletic facilities, or another recreation center.

“I think it could be cool to repurpose it for music building use after we destroyed the buildings [on Forsyth Boulevard]. I don’t know if it’s much closer [than] Lopata House, but it might be nice to have something closer than the 560 [Music Center],” sophomore Isaac Posner said.

But there’s still little clarity for students on what might actually be done with the property and when.

“All I know is that we bought their campus, but I don’t really know what it’s turning into. It’s a mystery,” senior Sharini Shah said.