More than School
by Dan Frank, Head of School, The Steward School
IJK-12 ’m proud to say that The Steward School, an independent school located in the west end of Richmond, has
become known for its innovative approach to education. The phrases “Fuel the mind. Stir the imagination. Unleash the possibilities.” capture our educational philosophy perfectly. Tied together with the Steward mission to prepare students for college and for life in a community defined by robust academics, inspiration, engagement, and care, these imperatives help tell the story. I think these words describe our common purpose as a community. They’re not empty catchphrases; they’re not clichés. They’re an anthem, a rallying cry for the Steward community.
Fuel the mind.
We will give students information, tools, and challenges. No engine can run without fuel; no child’s mind is invigorated without stimulation.
Stir the imagination.
We will ask them to design and think creatively, to share and debate. Whether inventing a new recipe in the Bryan Innovation Lab kitchen, conducting a chemistry experiment, or mixing paint colors in our Cramer Center for the Arts, students’ dreams will be sparked and provoked.
Unleash the possibilities.
Students will speak and publish; they will prototype and innovate. And, over the course of their time at Steward, each of them will unleash the possibilities that are uniquely theirs.
The Steward mission makes a point of stating that the school’s goal is to prepare students for college and for life. In the short term, college is essentially the “now,” while life could be considered the “next.” Schools know what colleges look for in applicants, and Steward prepares them for that phase through an academically challenging curriculum, a player-oriented athletic development program, and extracurricular and service opportunities that allow students to explore beyond the classroom. When it comes to preparing for life, there are many unknowns. Because ours is a world defined by rapid change and flux, we believe that Steward graduates will need to have more varied knowledge than algebra and physics. Their skillsets will need to include knowledge of coding and entrepreneurship, for example, and they should be prepared to apply more open-ended talents than in any previous decade. The Steward curriculum is designed to prepare students for these opportunities. With our small size and focus on design, research, and innovation as differentiators, Steward is working to be recognized nationally as a leader in creative teaching and learning. Instructors and curriculum are in place to allow young minds to tackle new challenges, some of which cannot even be anticipated in today’s society. There is no telling what careers they will choose, what products they will invent, or what businesses they will start, but we know that children need to be rigorous, perseverant, collaborative, and creative. With these traits, they will thrive in the “now” and be well-prepared for the “next.” Visit the school’s website (www.stewardschool.org) or come for a tour to learn more about how Steward fuels minds, stirs imaginations, and unleashes possibilities. Steward doesn’t want to be a school where the students just pass tests…we want to break new ground, to foster out-of-the-box thinkers, and to do good work in the community. In other words, Steward is more than school.
Affordability at Steward
Contact the Admissions Office to learn about options that make a Steward School education an affordable option for your child. Rising ninth graders are encouraged to apply for the Debbie Robson Merit Scholarship, which provides four years of full tuition in the Upper School. If you have a message for Richmond REALTORS®, homebuyers, or homeowners, please contact kwhitlow@rarealtors.com