This beautiful Tudor-Revival building was opened in 1909. It was named in honor of the late Superintendent of Schools Frank Louis Soldan (1842-1908), born in Frankfurt-on-Main. Soldan began teaching German in the St. Louis Public Schools in 1869. He became assistant superintendent in charge of German classes at a time when there were German teachers in every district school.

The school was designed by William B. Ittner, St. Louis-born of German descent, who was the architect for over 50 schools in St. Louis and over 500 schools in 29 states.

In September 1993 the renovated school reopened as an International Studies magnet school.