The Excellence Program

The Excellence Program was the brainchild of Hal and Catherine Faught. Hal was the grandfather of two Wilson alumni. Catherine continues to be a beloved supporter of Wilson.

In 2006, the Faughts pledged a $2 million endowment to The Wilson School – the largest single gift to an academic program ever given in Missouri history to an elementary school. Through this generous planned gift, the Excellence Program at Wilson was created.

Currently, the program is funded through a dollar-for-dollar matching grant. This program allows us to live the Faughts’ mantra every day at Wilson with our students and staff. Through the generosity of the Faughts, Wilson parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends, the Excellence Program sets The Wilson School apart from all other elementary schools throughout the St. Louis region.

To make an online charitable contribution to this program, click here.

"Do everything with a spirit of excellence."
Hal and Catherine Faught

• Program Overview
• Educators
• Curriculum
• Library
• Community

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The Excellence Program supports professional development for faculty, the expansion of the library’s collection, community speakers and innovative programming for our students, including an exclusive writing partnership with Washington University. 

Allocations for Program Funding

​One key way we foster our exceptional educators is by investing twice the resources in their development versus other area schools. Almost half of Excellence Program funding is allocated for ongoing professional development for faculty and staff, allowing every teacher to attend conferences and workshops to inspire new ideas. Wilson also selects an Excellence Award Honoree from among the faculty to recognize innovative and exceptional projects – an award funded by the Excellence Program.

Excellence Award Honorees
2021 - Debbie Wilhelms
​2020 - Laurie Finkenkeller, Kevin McGinnis, & Melika Panneri
2019 - Angela Zinkl
2018 - Michael Taylor
2016 - Diane Signor and Mary Beth Tipton
2015 – Melika Panneri
2014 – Charla Gray and Joseph Thomas 
2013 – Michael Hinkebein
2012 – Joana Ocros-Ritter and Linda Noel
2010 – Rebecca Donaldson
2009 – Mark Wooley
2008 – Laurie Finkenkeller and Melika Panneri

​The Excellence Program funds innovative programming that benefits both students and faculty. Unique partnerships have been formed to enrich the classroom curricula, including a writing workshop with Washington University and science lessons with the Saint Louis Zoo. Wilson also has created a Visiting Author and Artist series, which brings in well-known professionals to work with students and faculty.

Thanks to the Excellence Program, renowned and respected authors and artists visit The Wilson School each year to work with the students and engage the faculty, inspiring both with their stories and examples of excellence.

Visiting Authors

• Lisa Campbell Ernst, author and illustrator of more than 20 picture books
• Georgia Heard, poet, teacher, and author of children’s and professional development books
• Margaret Read MacDonald, storyteller, folklorist, author, and children’s librarian
• Ridley Pearson, author of the popular Kingdom Keepers and Starcatchers series
• Kristen Joy Pratt-Serafini, award-winning author and illustrator
• Jenny Whitehead, author and illustrator of children’s poetry books, including Punctuation Celebration

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Visiting Artists

• Milford Nahohai, Zuni author and acclaimed potter
• Megan Rieke and Russell Vanecek, Art St. Louis painters
• Marlon West, Disney special effects artist

​​The funding allows for The Wilson School library’s print collection to be refreshed and enhanced each year. The best in children’s literature, whether a classic or the most current must-read, always can be found in the School’s library. The nonfiction collection is extensive and contains books with the most up-to-date information. In fact, this collection is one of the most current in the St. Louis region. Because the library receives approximately 1,000 books annually, Wilson is able to make significant donations of books to other area elementary schools.

​A portion of the Excellence Program funding is also used for a Speakers’ Series, which is open to anyone in the community. These speakers include nationally renowned authors and lecturers on key topics, including parenting, bullying, character education, and discipline.