John Burroughs, the high-powered Ladue private school, is a step closer to picking its new leader.

In a letter sent today to the Burroughs community, search committee chair Todd Schnuck said school leaders met with 11 candidates last weekend, and narrowed the applicants to five semi-finalists.

Schnuck said there were originally five dozen.

He also said parents, staff, and students will be able to meet the new candidates. Their names and current schools will be posted on the school Web site the evening prior to each of their visits at the end of this month and October.

Schnuck said in the letter that the committee expected to pick a candidate before Thanksgiving.

In January, long-standing and revered head Keith Shahan told students and faculty that he aimed to retire at the end of the 2008-09 school year, after 23 years at his post.