Nisha Patel

Dr. Nisha Patel has been selected to serve as the next superintendent of the School District of Clayton. The Board of Education voted unanimously to offer the position to Dr. Patel after a national search that drew 22 applicants from across the country. The Board, along with groups of students, parents, teachers, staff and administrators, interviewed three finalists last week and Dr. Patel rose to the top.

"Dr. Patel understands the power of establishing strong student, staff, and community relationships, which are the ultimate foundation for student success,” explained Board of Education President Joe Miller. “Even though our next superintendent is coming to us from only 20 miles away, our national search allowed the Board to connect with a number of talented administrators as we worked to find the best person to lead us here in Clayton. We are confident we have found that person in Dr. Patel."

Dr. Patel spent the last five years of her 21-year educational career with the Fox C-6 School District as the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools and, most recently, as superintendent. She began her career in education teaching science in the Kansas City area in 1999. After relocating to St. Louis, she spent nine years with the Rockwood School District, teaching high school science before moving on to serve as an assistant and associate high school principal before becoming principal at Crestview Middle School in 2013. She was named the Exemplary New Principal of the Year in 2014 by the St. Louis Association of Secondary School Principals.

After attending high school in the Kansas City area, Dr. Patel attended the University of Kansas where she received her bachelor’s degree in cellular biology as well as her master’s degree in science education. She holds a Master of Science in Administration from Missouri Baptist University and received her doctoral degree in administrative leadership from Maryville University.