Admissions Brochure 2015-16

the story unfolds.

How does a mind become great?

At The Steward School, we believe curious minds must be allowed to explore and discover. There are discoveries to be made in the classroom, on the sports field, on the stage, in the studios, and in the Bryan Innovation Lab. Most importantly, there are discoveries waiting within each student. And each student has a story.

Fuel the mind / Stir the imagina

OUR MISSION is to prepare our students for college and for life in a community defined by robust academics, inspiration, engagement, and care. This is a place that is more than JK through 12. It is more than buildings, teachers, and students.

It is more than school.

tion / Unleash the possibilities

Meet that student on the next page.

Like any engine, the mind needs fuel.

Steward’s robust academic program provides the strong curriculum that

GRACIE’S MIND WAS FUELED.

young minds crave.

Gracie’s family has owned

It is the perfect intersection of liberal arts

chickens since she was about two years old. So when the

with science and technology. Students

annual third-grade project

are immersed in an environment that

tasked her with choosing a

encourages both independent research and

topic in which to become an expert, it was an easy choice.

collaboration. They are taught to use critical

And her interest in chickens

thinking and creative approaches to solve

took her far beyond that project. She spent the next several years applying her knowledge towards her passion for creating something better. She worked to create and raise an entirely

real-world problems.

The curriculum is designed to do far more than teach. It powers everything else the school does, forming the foundation

new breed of chicken. Her

of knowledge that students will use to

efforts got the attention of

innovate, collaborate, and ultimately make

the National Science Teachers Association, who awarded her with the esteemed Angela Award. With her mind fueled, Gracie was able to discover her passions here at The Steward School.

a difference in the world.

4

year full tuition merit scholarship awarded annually to two rising 9th graders

22%

diversity with 8 countries represented

8:1

student-teacher ratio

$1.2

million given in financial aid each year

Read about it on the next page.

3

3D Printers in our Bryan Innovation Lab

6,300

square-foot innovation building, the only one in the city

Target class size:

16-17

With a spark of inspiration, the imagination ignites. At Steward, we provide an environment that not only ignites the imagination, but also keeps it engaged.

We strive to help students discover who they

IMAGINATIONS ARE STIRRED HERE. Steward students excel in

are and what they want to be. Class sizes

innovation in an environment

are kept small by design to allow for more

that encourages discovery

personalized attention and to help ensure

one way students have used

that every student’s voice is heard. The Steward School is a place where students can feel free to let their imaginations take the lead. That freedom fosters a willingness

and wonder. 3D printing is their knowledge to innovate and make a difference, including the design and creation of prosthetic arms, knee joints, and similar real-world applications. The

to try new things and not be afraid to fail. The

Steward School partnered

Bryan Innovation Lab and the exceptional

with a clinic in the Caribbean

visual and performing arts programs are just

cuffs for infants but had no

some of the tools that Steward uses to stir imaginations and encourage discoveries.

that owned blood pressure way to attach them properly to the actual machine. Our Biomedical Design class tackled the challenge and used 3D printing to create a prototype that would connect the cuffs to the equipment.

When students are engaged, their imaginations are stirred.

See more on the next page.

NIC’S POSSIBILITIES WERE UNLEASHED For Nic, baseball is a great analogy for the real world: no matter what life may throw at you, you have the ability to do great things with it. Baseball is one of Nic’s greatest passions, and as a Steward student, he

With the mind fueled and the imagination stirred, the possibilities can be unleashed.

Steward students are prepared for college certainly, but more importantly, they

pursued that passion. Major

are prepared for life. The wide range of

League Baseball was

experiences available here, from academics

impressed not only with his talents and abilities, but with

and athletics to the arts and community

him as a well-rounded,

service, helps students develop broad skills

well-adjusted individual. In fact, mere weeks after

that will serve them well in the future. They

graduating from Steward, Nic

develop an awareness of the world while

was drafted by a Major League

looking for opportunities to serve their

Baseball team. He politely declined and chose instead to

communities. They are more than students

pursue academics and attend

or graduates. They are more than problem

college, where he will play Division I baseball.

Nic is an excellent example

solvers and innovators. They are stewards.

UNLEASH POSSIBILITIES of how The Steward School unleashes possibilities.

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ACRES with 6 academic buildings, 2 gyms, 8 tennis courts, 4 athletic fields, and a 500-seat theatre Merit scholarships to colleges for sports and academic excellence in 2015:

$4,155,340

UNLEASH the POSSIBILITIES

TRUE INNOVATION IS AN ART. Bryan Innovation Lab The core of the Bryan Innovation Lab is literally its middle name: innovation.

This unique facility seeks to inspire and educate students, faculty, staff, and the community. It connects global thought leadership with interactive problem-solving opportunities in order to make contributions to our rapidly changing world. Students are given infinite ways to experience hands-on learning. This state-of-the-art building features flexible indoor and outdoor classroom spaces, exposed mechanical systems to reveal inner workings, a wellness studio, a teaching kitchen, gardens, advanced technology, and more.

The curriculum focuses on three primary areas: Energy and Resources, Health and Wellness, and Natural and Built Environment. With its strong curriculum, vast resources, and frequent guest speakers, the Bryan Lab is a constant catalyst for innovation. At the Bryan Lab, innovation becomes an art.

The arts Beginning in junior kindergarten, the arts programs of The Steward School provide many different methods of creative expression.

Visual Arts. From sculpture to painting to photography to ceramics, students are encouraged to embrace and develop their artistic abilities and to find their own ways of seeing and experiencing the world. Unique studio space for each division of the school allows students the space and materials needed to bring their visions to life.

Theatre. Steward students are performers in every sense of the word. The outstanding theatre program allows them the opportunity to experience the world of live performance, including set design, script analysis, sound and lights, direction, and acting. Every year, students produce three main stage productions, which are performed in the spectacular 500-seat Lora M. Robins Theatre.

Music. Students gain an understanding of music through developmental experiences in singing, moving, listening, and playing various rhythmic and melodic instruments. As they progress, students can spread their musical wings by joining the chorus or one of the school bands, both of which include classes and extracurricular performances.

ACTIVE IN SPORTS. AND IN THE COMMUNITY. ATHLETICS Like the academics, Steward’s athletics program provides unmatched learning opportunities. Students learn the value of teamwork by trying new things, observing fellow players, and challenging themselves. Physical activity is encouraged at every grade level, and the students are very active indeed. In fact, more than eight out of ten Middle and Upper School students participate in team sports. We are the Spartans, and like our ancient namesake, we are warriors.

we are the spartans BASEBALL BASKETBALL CHEERLEADING GOLF LACROSSE SOCCER SWIMMING

CROSS COUNTRY FIELD HOCKEY TENNIS VOLLEYBALL

FUTSAL

COMMUNITY SERVICE The Steward School is more than just our name. It’s our philosophy. We believe in being good stewards and contributing to the community. At the heart of our curriculum is the value of responsible citizenship and caring for a cause beyond oneself. Each division of the school participates in specific community activities that provide not only valuable services but also important lessons. These experiences help students understand the value of true community service.

They learn to be stewards by taking care of others.

1000 lbs

of produce grown last year and donated to the community

A SINGLE SCHOOL OF THOUGHT. The Steward School is divided into three levels, yet it is very much united.

The specific programs and approaches vary from Lower to Middle to Upper School, but innovation lives everywhere. No matter the grade level, Steward is more than school.

Lower School (Junior Kindergarten – grade 5) This is where it all begins. The Lower School provides the foundation of learning that students need at an early age. For example, junior kindergarten students get a hands-on look at life on a real farm, and fourth graders visit state landmarks as part of their history lessons. Each grade in the Lower School has its own experiences, satisfying the curiosity that abounds in every young child. The small class size and personalized attention allow students to be introduced to a broad spectrum of learning. Students learn about the world, gaining skills in asking questions, reasoning, and solving problems. This helps prepare them for the significant changes they will experience in the Middle School.

Middle School (grade 6 – grade 8) This is a time of growth and change. Moving from childhood to adolescence presents many challenges for students, and the Middle School provides exactly the guidance and understanding they need. New horizons become available to students as they begin to explore academics, the arts, technology, and athletics in more depth. The small class sizes help them cultivate lifelong skills in communication, collaboration, and creativity. Middle School students are able to take risks and begin to explore outside the classroom through community service, field trips, and leadership opportunities. This helps prepare them for the academic rigor of Upper School.

Upper School (grade 9 – grade 12) This is a time of preparation. Upper School students are challenged in new ways and are encouraged to strive for their fullest potential. Each student is matched with an advisor who supports him or her through the complexities in the years before college.

The Steward School offers numerous honors and advanced placement courses to keep students engaged throughout their academic journeys. Upper School students thrive in an atmosphere that allows them to build confidence and character. Throughout the four years of high school, the College Counseling Office delves into college admissions, beginning with résumé creation in ninth grade and working through the application process with seniors. Students will be ready for college, and more importantly, they will be prepared for life.

MORE THAN SCHOOL. BECAUSE YOUR CHILD IS MORE THAN A STUDENT. The Steward School is significant in the lives of the families who enroll their children. It is more than school. It is a unique opportunity to fuel students’ minds, stir their imaginations, and unleash the possibilities that their futures hold.

Steward is large enough for students to make many friends, yet small enough that individual voices are heard. It is large enough to bring cultural diversity,

yet small enough that the diversity is truly experienced. It is large enough to provide the resources for students to explore their passions, yet small enough that those passions can be actively cultivated.

There are things students will not learn at Steward. They won’t learn to fit into a mold. They won’t learn to settle. They will, on the other hand, learn to innovate and collaborate. They will learn to solve problems and discover more about themselves. They will learn skills and abilities that prepare them for a future we can only imagine.

Let The Steward School help your child pursue passions, fulfill potential, and make a difference in the world.

Fuel the mind / Stir the imagina

tion / Unleash the possibilities

11600 Gayton Road 804-565-2334

Richmond, Virginia 23238-3423 www.stewardschool.org