SPARTAN
THE GUIDE TO
Whether you’re brand new to Steward or you’re simply moving into Middle or Upper School from Steward’s Lower or Middle Schools, this guide is for you! You’re getting ready to embark on a great adventure in a community filled with friends and teachers who want to help you discover all that Steward has to offer. This Spartan Guide will help you navigate the coming years at Steward. You’ll find helpful information, important things to do, and checklists to make sure that you haven’t forgotten anything. So, take some time to discover all that Steward has to offer, and don’t forget that you can always access this information online at www.stewardschool.org. We’re happy that you’re here!
INTRODUCTION
IMPORTANT DATES
August 4 JV and Varsity Practices Begin
CONTACT INFORMATION
11600 Gayton Road
Richmond, Virginia 23238
Main Number: 804.740.3394 Fax: 804.740.1464
Website: www.stewardschool.org
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Dan Frank Head of School
Lisa Dwelle Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations
Becky Groves Director of Lower School
Susan Atkinson Director of Middle School
Bobby Pollicino Director of Upper School
Yaa Agyekum
Director of the Center for the Advancement of Learning (CAL) and Assistant Director of Lower School
Meredith Harris Director of Development
Heather Jeter Director of College Counseling
Lindsay McLaughlin Director of Admissions
Chad Montgomery Director of Plant Operations
Shahwar Qureshi ’90 Director of Technology
Bruce Secrest Director of Athletics
Rachel Williard Director of Marketing and Communications
Faculty/Staff Directory QR
l.ead.me/tss-directory
August 18 MS Athletic Practices Begin
August 25 First Day of School - Early Dismissal LS
August 29-Sept. 1 Labor Day Break – No School
October 2 No School
October 17-20 No School
November 14 Fall Conferences –No School for Students
November 24-28 Thanksgiving Break – No School
December 22January 2 Winter Break – No School
January 19 No School
February 16 No School
March 9-13 Spring Break – No School
March 20 No School
April 3-6 Easter Break – No School
April 17
May 18
Spring Conferences –No School for Students
Upper School Recognition Assembly
May 21 Baccalaureate
May 22
Graduation – No School for Students
May 25 No School
May 29
Grades 5 and 8 Recognition Assemblies
Calendar QR
l.ead.me/tss-cal
August
November '25
December '25
January '26
February '26
March '26
April '26
May '26
June '26
July '26
ABOUT THE STEWARD SCHOOL
Steward students are engaged on an individual level by a robust, innovative curriculum that challenges as much as it inspires. Here, students are given the care and respect they need to be critical thinkers who will help shape the future. Programs such as Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and the Center for Engagement immerse students in topics and ideas that encourage the critical thought, empathy, civil discourse, and inspired thinking that will be necessary to continue moving the world forward.
Inspire the Future.
STEWARD’S PURPOSEFUL SIZE
Our size – which is intentional –enables this atmosphere of engagement. Steward is large enough to provide the resources for students to explore their interests and curiosities across academics, athletics, and the arts concurrently. Importantly, Steward is also small enough to give them the personalized attention they need to pursue these areas of interest.
F AST F A C T S
ARTS: 3 mainstage productions annually
STE W A RD A T STE W A RD A T
718
NUMBER OF STUDENTS 12
AVERAGE CLASS SIZE 48 ZIP CODES REPRESENTED 92%
RETENTION RATE
8:1 STUDENT/ FACULTY RATIO
$3M VARIABLE TUITION
ATHLETICS: 16 total state championships
THE BASICS
DRESS CODE
Students are expected to abide by the dress code at all times while on campus. Good taste and common sense should dictate parental and student choice of school clothes. As a general rule, if a student thinks something may not be appropriate, the student should not wear it. It is impossible to anticipate every situation or fashion trend. Therefore, The Steward School reserves the right to determine if a student is dressed and groomed appropriately. The policy for The Steward School’s dress code will be based on what is understood to be acceptable in a JK-12 academic environment.
Dress Code QR l.ead.me/tss-dress
TECHNOLOGY
Students in JK-8 are assigned iPads to use throughout the school year. The iPads have a variety of apps, including iMovie, Green Screen, and Book Creator. Additionally, all students will have a Google Apps for Education account in which to store their files. All students in grades 9-12 are required to bring a Windows or Apple laptop.
Technology QR
l.ead.me/tss-tech
HEALTH INFORMATION
We have two clinics. The Lower School clinic is staffed by Rebecca Heck, RN, NCSN, CPN, and is located in the Lower School building. The Middle/Upper School clinic is located in the Athletic Center and staffed by Kendall Hrabak, RN. The Steward School uses Magnus Health, an online health portal, to manage your child’s health information. All health forms should be completed by August 1 and uploaded to the Magnus Health portal.
Health Forms & Clinic QR l.ead.me/tss-clinic
SPARTICIPATION
Our parent organizations — Annual Fund Committee, ArtLink, Parents Association, Spartan Club, and Spirit Committee — are always eager for new and returning faces to join in the volunteer effort. To let them know you’re interested in helping, please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form, and don’t forget to visit the Sparticipation Fair to find out how you can engage in our community.
Sparticipation QR
l.ead.me/tss-spart
CARPOOL & CAMPUS DRIVING
Carpools are arranged by individual parents. The school’s website can be a valuable tool for finding other students within your zip code. Once you have received your website login information, you can search the online directory by zip code. Carpool maps, procedures, and Lower and Middle School carpool numbers will be provided at orientation in August.
DRIVING ON CAMPUS
• Slow down
• No passing in carpool
• No cell phones
• Follow directions of faculty and staff on carpool duty
Carpool QR
l.ead.me/tss-carpool
TUITION/PAYMENT PLANS
Three Options:
100% of tuition due on July 31, 2025.
65% of tuition due on July 31, 2025, with the balance due on January 31, 2026. There is a $75 additional charge for this option (billed in January).
10 equal payments, with the first payment due April 30, 2025, and the tenth payment due on January 31, 2026. There is a $150 additional charge for this option ($15 billed monthly).
Terms: A late charge of 1.5% per month (18% per annum) is applied to delinquent accounts. A $35 fee will be assessed on all returned checks.
Reenrollment contracts are available in February each year. Accounts must be current to receive reenrollment contracts. A deposit of $1,000 per student is due at the time of reenrollment. The deposit is applied to the student’s account in July.
Tuition QR
l.ead.me/tss-tuition
MEAL PLANS
Dining services are provided by Meriwether Godsey. Lunch enrollment was available in the enrollment contract. To add or remove the lunch program or ask questions, email studentbilling@stewardschool.org. Lunch program fees are billed in July and January. Lunch program fees include beverages: milk (2% or skim), water, lemonade, and iced tea.
GRADE JK Costs per year are as follows:
• Pizza Monday – $300
GRADE K-5 STUDENTS Costs per year are as follows:
• Five-day plan – $1,310
• Three-day plan (M/W/F) – $915
• Pizza Monday – $300
GRADE 6-12 STUDENTS Cost per year is as follows:
• Five-day plan – $1,495
Meal Plans QR
l.ead.me/tss-lunch
AFTERSCHOOL CARE PROGRAM
For Lower School, supervision is provided in the Middle School Dining Commons, Lower School Library, various classrooms, and on the Lower School playground. For Middle School, supervision is provided in the Middle School Café.
The cost is as follows: $10/hour for students who attend daily (four or five days per week), $12/hour for drop-in students. AfterSchool Care charges begin at 3:10 p.m. for Lower School and 3:20 p.m. for Middle School. These charges are billed to the student billing account on a monthly basis.
All Lower and Middle school students are automatically enrolled in the program.
Please note that there is an additional $30 late fee for each 15 minutes (or any part thereof) past the 6 p.m. pick-up time. Other than AfterSchool Care, supervision for children after dismissal is not available. Students not picked up from carpool by 3:25 p.m. for Lower School and 3:45 p.m. for Middle School will be sent to AfterSchool Care.
AfterSchool QR l.ead.me/tss-acp
STEWARD SPEAK
WANT TO KNOW WHAT MAKES THE STEWARD EXPERIENCE UNIQUE? THE FOLLOWING GLOSSARY FEATURES DESCRIPTIONS OF HELPFUL STEWARD-RELATED PROGRAMS, PEOPLE, TERMS, AND TIDBITS.
Alumni Association – Alumni group committed to keeping alumni engaged, which hosts special events and raises funds for student scholarships, special projects, and the Annual Fund.
ArtLink – A group of students, parents, faculty, and staff who promote and support Steward’s artists.
Artist-In-Residence Program – Visiting professional artists come to Steward to share their expertise as they teach and work directly with Steward student artists.
Annual Fund – The Annual Fund is the backbone of philanthropy at Steward and covers what tuition alone does not. Gifts to the Annual Fund have an immediate impact by supporting the arts, athletics, professional development, technology, and more.
Athletic Invitationals – Friendly tournaments during which multiple teams play on the same day. Go Spartans!
Baccalaureate – Baccalaureate features a formal procession of seniors led by the junior marshals, two student speakers, an address by the director of Upper School, and musical performances. Students are each presented with a faculty member’s heartfelt tribute.
Beach Day – A Lower School celebration held on the last day of school to kick off summer vacation.
Bingo Night – A fun night sponsored by the Parents Association for the whole family — dinner, Bingo, and raffle prizes!
BlackBox Theatre – An experimental performance space in the Cramer Center used for classes and more intimate performances, such as grade-level plays.
Blue and Gold Spirit Challenge – All members of each family are assigned to a color team (blue or gold). During the school year, the teams face off in various spirit challenges, and the winning team is announced at the Spartan Spirit Reveal in May. Students are given new spirit shirts each year to wear on designated spirit days to show pride for their teams.
Board of Trustees – The governing body of The Steward School.
Bryan Innovation Lab – In this unique learning space, students grapple with real-world issues, challenging their critical thinking skills and resourcefulness.
Center for the Advancement of Learning (CAL) –Steward’s resource center for academic support, community resources, and tutoring. CAL staff, including tutors and Deans of Student Support in each division, coordinate with students and their families to provide tutoring sessions focused on class curricula, test preparation, or general organizational skills. In cases where academic needs overlap with social-emotional well-being, CAL staff work closely with the School Counselor to bridge these supports.
Center for Engagement – A coordinated faculty team and program that includes health and wellness; diversity, equity, and inclusion; service learning; school counseling; and community life.
Class Sponsor – A faculty advisor to a particular class, grades 9-12, who helps the class organize events and projects throughout the year.
College Seminars – Second-semester juniors and firstsemester seniors meet in small groups with college counselors to narrow down their college lists; create extracurricular resumes; and draft, edit, and complete applications.
Community Week (Middle School) – Sixth graders participate in local field trips. Seventh graders typically enjoy a local overnight and grade-level activities on and off campus. Eighth graders spend the week at Wilderness Adventure in southwestern Virginia.
Convocation – An all-school gathering at the opening of the school year, Convocation is an opportunity to welcome new students, hear from our Alumni Achievement Award winner, and collectively and ceremonially begin the year together.
Cramer Center – The Paul R. Cramer Center for the Arts is the fine arts facility of The Steward School. It features the 500-seat Lora M. Robins Theatre, the BlackBox Theatre, music classrooms, art studios, and rehearsal space,
college counselors. The purpose of this trip is for students to learn about the different types of colleges available for their consideration.
Leadership Program – A small, highly selective program for students in grades 9-11, providing hands-on leadership education opportunities within the Richmond community.
LEAP – Steward’s Latino Education Advancement Program (LEAP) is a tuition-free summer program for Latino students entering grades 8-12. LEAP empowers Latino youth for high school success, college preparation, and meaningful connections.
Lifer – A student who has been enrolled at Steward from junior kindergarten or kindergarten through twelfth grade.
Lora M. Robins Theatre – The 500-seat mainstage theatre located in the Cramer Center.
Lower School Room Parents – A Lower School room parent acts as a liaison between parents and their gradelevel teachers. They help coordinate parent volunteers, organize classroom parties, arrange parent socials, and share communication regarding grade-level and school events. Room parents serve as another point of contact for new families and help facilitate opportunities for social interactions.
Melanie G. Rodriguez Scholarship – A $10,000 yearly merit scholarship for Upper School tuition to a student who attends the LEAP program. Recipients are chosen based on strong character, community service involvement, academics, and potential.
Mainstage Productions – The Theatre Department presents three large-scale productions each year (October, February, and April) for the entire community. Students from all divisions may audition for plays/musicals as appropriate. All set pieces are built by students in the Upper School technical theatre class.
Minimester (Upper School) – A Minimester program is held every March before spring break. Ninth graders participate in a program that includes community service and college campus visits. Tenth and eleventh graders coordinate internships with businesses or organizations in which they are interested. Twelfth graders work on their senior projects. Travel abroad is also an option during this week.
Oratorical Program – An optional program for Lower Schoolers to read a short selection on stage in front of an audience of peers and families.
Order of the Shield – A secret society made up of
individuals who embody school enthusiasm, spirit, and pride. This select group of individuals will proudly wear the official costumes of the Steward mascots, Sparty and Spartina, or serve as their handlers at designated school functions throughout the academic year.
Parents Association (PA) – The Parents Association supports the school by carrying out activities and events that foster community building, demonstrate appreciation for the faculty and staff, provide parent education, and create fellowship among the parents of Steward students. All parents are members of the Parents Association, are welcome to attend meetings, and are encouraged to volunteer. To get involved, visit stewardschool.org/ community/sparticipation.
Parent Coordinator / Division – Each division (Lower, Middle, and Upper School) has a lead parent volunteer. The division coordinator organizes grade-level coordinators, distributes information, answers questions, arranges socials, and assists with the volunteers in the entire division.
Parent Coordinator / Grade-Level (Middle and Upper Schools)– Each Middle and Upper School grade has a set of parent volunteers who serve as the grade-level representatives. These parents help distribute information to the class, arrange parent socials, gather volunteers for school events, assist with new families, and support other opportunities that arise during the school year.
Parent Enrichment and Education – Interactive programs are held throughout the school year by trained facilitators and/or professional experts. They highlight core development issues, stimulate parent/teacher dialogue, and teach skills that encourage healthy lifestyle choices and decision making.
Program Committee – The primary committee within the school that oversees the academic program of The Steward School. This includes the head of school, division directors, academic deans, curriculum chairs, and additional faculty as necessary.
Put-In Cups – The decorations in the Gayton Road parking lot fence; a great volunteer opportunity!
Ring Ceremony – The ceremony during which members of the junior class receive their class rings and are welcomed as upperclassmen and school leaders.
Senior Breakfast – Sponsored by the Alumni Association, this breakfast is held every spring for the seniors and their parents to welcome seniors as Steward’s newest alumni.
Senior Egg Hunt – A special senior tradition held in the spring at Deep Run Park. Parents are invited to join their
PHILANTHROPY
PHILANTHROPY AT STEWAR D: A TRADITION OF GENEROSITY
Each year the entire Steward community is invited to participate in the life of the school by sharing their resources in varied ways. Combined with tuition, the collective generosity from the community supports every student and every teacher, every day. The definition of philanthropy at Steward includes volunteering your time and talent and contributing a gift each year to the school’s Annual Fund, endowment, or special capital campaigns as they occur. Support from the Steward community is a critical and tangible investment in people, strengthening our programs and enhancing our campus.
The school strives for a high level of participation from the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, current families, alumni, alumni families, grandparents, and friends of the school. Our fiscal year runs July 1 to June 30, and every parent is encouraged to participate every year.
WAYS TO SUPPORT STEWARD
The Annual Fund: All current parents are encouraged to support the Steward Annual Fund. The Annual Fund is the school’s number one fundraising priority, and gifts to this fund are solicited. The Annual Fund benefits every student and helps the school accomplish its daily work.
Your support of the Annual Fund helps ensure excellence in the programs that attracted your family to Steward. You may choose to designate your Annual Fund gift to one of six areas:
Area of Greatest Need: With an unrestricted gift, you allow the school to use your gift where it is most needed. These funds will be used to support programs that impact students, faculty, and staff.
Professional Development: Faculty are the heart of a Steward education. Support of this fund offers opportunities for professional growth and advancement, ensuring that faculty continue to learn, explore their intellectual curiosities, and bring new ideas to Steward students.
Tuition Assistance: Gifts that support tuition assistance provide scholarships and Variable Tuition reductions to students whose families demonstrate need and would otherwise not be able to attend Steward, enabling us to enroll a talented, motivated, and diverse student population.
Technology: The cutting-edge technology available to students both inside and outside the classroom enriches the learning experience and provides the essential technical skills needed to flourish in the world’s expanding information age. Funding supports the entire network, including hundreds of workstations, iPads, digital signage, interactive whiteboards, and classroom technology.
Athletics: Gifts provide support for the athletic program, including equipment, uniforms, field maintenance, and travel for all athletic teams, promoting opportunities for healthy competition, exercise, sportsmanship, and personal growth.
Arts: Annual Fund gifts enhance opportunities for students in the visual and performing arts, including ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting, photography and film, sculpture, theatre productions, costume, set design, music, and voice.
Endowment: A strong endowment is the “story behind the story” at the most successful independent schools and universities across the country. Steward’s ability to provide students with the finest college preparatory experience possible rests on the strength of our faculty, and a strong endowment allows us to recruit and retain the most qualified faculty. It also ensures our ability to enroll academically qualified students regardless of their financial circumstances, helps control tuition increases for our current families, and provides a funding stream to take care of our facilities. Endowment provides a steady, predictable flow of income to support Steward over time because the principal of the fund remains intact while the school may spend a percentage of the interest income. Gifts to our endowment fund are always welcome and help us plan and prepare for the future.
Capital Campaigns: Periodically, the school will embark on a capital campaign to fund progamming, building projects, and endowment. Capital campaigns support priorities identified in the school’s strategic plan and are above and beyond Annual Fund support. Capital campaign gifts are usually large gifts, given from assets, and are typically paid over a multi-year term.
Planned Giving: Including The Steward School in your estate plans helps ensure a Steward education for future generations. The Heritage Society recognizes donors who have made bequests, established trusts, given insurance policies, or utilized other deferred giving vehicles to benefit Steward. Planned gifts are welcome and have the ability to provide transformational support, impacting all areas of school life.
The Founders Society: The Founders Society leadership giving club recognizes donors who support the school at the $1,000 or higher level each year. At the beginning of the year, Founders
Society members are invited to a special celebration honoring them for their leadership support of the school.
Giving FAQ
l.ead.me/tss-give
Special Events: Each year, the school and its supporting organizations (the Alumni Association, ArtLink, Parents Association, Spartan Club, and Spirit Committee) host special events that support Steward’s mission, while also contributing to the growth and vitality of the school in a variety of ways.
These organizations also coordinate raffles, sales, and membership drives each year to raise money and work to strengthen the Steward community.
Fall Social September 5
Trucks and Shucks October 10
SpartaFest & Homecoming October 11
The Ray Tate Spartan Golf Classic October 27
Grandparents and Special Friends Day Middle and Upper Schools November 7 Lower School May 8
Family Bingo Night January 30
Gala March 27
Spring Social April 23
Annual Fund Giving Games Spring 2026
For more information on volunteering opportunities and giving options, please contact the Development Office at 804.565.2327 or visit stewardschool.org/support .
LOWER SCHOOL
NAMES TO KNOW
Becky Groves Director of Lower School
Jay Parrish Lower School Division Assistant
Yaa Agyekum
Director of the Center for the Advancement of Learning (CAL) and Assistant Director of Lower School
Lisa Moore Lower School Academic Dean
Cheryl Lafferty CAL Division Assistant
Chuck Robinson Director of Auxiliary Programs
Jessica McKenna Registrar
Rebecca Heck, RN School Nurse
Faculty/Staff Directory QR l.ead.me/tss-directory
IMPORTANT FALL DATES
Class Assignments Emailed August 1
Grades JK-5 New Student and Parent Orientation August 21
First Day of School Early Dismissal
Welcome Back Coffee and Sparticipation Fair
Back-to-School Night (parents meet teachers)
August 25; 8 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
September 3; 8:15 a.m.
September 9 5-6:30 p.m.
Picture Day September 10
DAILY SCHEDULES
Arrival
Supervision begins at 7:30 a.m. Tardy at 8 a.m.
Dismissal 3:10 p.m.
Carpool 3:10-3:25 p.m.
AfterSchool Care Program 3:10-6 p.m. daily
ABSENCES
Please notify the office when your child is absent, will be arriving late, or leaving early. Emailing LS@stewardschool.org is the preferred method of notification. Mrs. Parrish can also be reached at 804.565.2310. Additionally, please add all attendance changes to the SchoolPass app. When absent, if your child is well enough to do homework, please request it in the morning when notifying the office of the absence. Excessive absences during the school year will require a meeting with the director of Lower School.
TEACHER ASSIGNMENTS
Teacher assignments will be emailed to you in early August. Please keep in mind that our faculty and administration work hard to determine the best placement for each student.
Questions? Don’t hesitate to call Jay Parrish, Lower School division assistant, at 804.565.2310 or email LS@stewardschool.org
Calendar QR l.ead.me/tss-cal
STUDENT GIFTS
Please do not deliver flowers, candy, or gifts to your child at school, as this interrupts instructional time.
PERSONAL DEVICES
Students are not allowed to use personal devices, including but not limited to: cell phones, tablets, laptops, and smart watches. An e-reader device is allowed with teacher permission. If a student needs to call a parent, the student is welcome to use the phone in the Lower School Office. Students must keep their personal devices turned off and in their lockers or their backpacks.
LOST AND FOUND
Please label all clothing and lunch boxes with your child’s name. Feel free to look for any missing items in the Lost and Found. Small items, such as jewelry, are kept in the office.
SUPPLY LISTS AND SUMMER READING
Lower School supply lists are available with other back-toschool information on the school’s website starting in May.
The Lower School encourages summer reading for all students. Each student, with parental guidance, will select his or her own books to read. The purpose of summer reading is to provide an opportunity for students to develop better reading proficiency by practicing their reading skills, as well as to promote the enjoyment of reading. Children’s magazines, joke books, non-fiction books, poetry, and biographies should be added to the usual collection of storybooks and chapter books. Summer is also the perfect time for your child to get their OWN library card!
Detailed informational letters can be found on the website.
Rising JK and kindergartners are encouraged to read often with their parents. Practice and repetition are extremely beneficial to these young students.
Rising first and second graders are encouraged to read as much and as often as possible. There is no reading list because we want your child to choose any book that is on their reading level and is interesting. (The students call it a “just right” book.) Be sure your child has a good selection of books from which to choose. Make regular trips to the library, and let your child be involved in choosing books that interest them. Letting your child pick out the book is the
critical factor in their desire to read it!
Rising third, fourth, and fifth graders are encouraged to maintain the practice of daily reading over the summer. Students are encouraged to choose a favorite book to share with their classmates at the beginning of the school year. There is no assigned reading; however, if you are looking for age-appropriate suggestions, book lists and resources are available. For more information, please see the summer reading letter on the website for your grade level. If you wish to keep track of summer reading, a sample reading log is available on the website.
For all readers … Summer reading should be fun! So, find a comfy beach chair or hammock and ENJOY!
Supply Lists and Summer Reading QR l.ead.me/tss-lsh
NEW FAMILY PICNIC & ORIENTATION
Relax! You’ll have an opportunity to meet fellow parents at the JK-12 New Family Picnic and we’ll walk you through the important information at the Lower School Orientation:
JK-12 New Family Picnic* June 11, 5-6:30 p.m. *For all families of new Spartans
Grades JK-5 New Student August 21 Parent Orientation
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!
LOWER SCHOOL CHECKLIST
ACADEMICS
q SUMMER READING
q SUPPLIES
HEALTH INFORMATION
q COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
SCHOOL ENTRANCE HEALTH FORM
Required for junior kindergarten, kindergarten and all new students
q EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Required for students with life-threatening allergies, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy or other acute medical needs.
ABSENCES
Please notify the division assistant when your child will be absent, arriving late, or leaving early. Emailing MS@stewardschool.org is the preferred method of notification. The direct line to Middle School Division Assistant Ben Brown is 804.565.2312. When absent, your child should be able to obtain most assignments online.
PERSONAL DEVICES
During the school day, students are not allowed to use personal devices, including but not limited to: cell phones, tablets, laptops, and smart watches. If a student needs to call a parent, the student is welcome to use the phone in the Middle School Office. Students must keep their personal devices turned off and in their lockers or backpacks during the school day.
SCHEDULES
Schedules for all Middle School students will be available in MySchoolApp in early August. New families will receive login information via email.
FINE ARTS
All Middle School students participate in the fine arts each marking period. Each quarter, sixth-grade students are exposed to one of the disciplines: art, choral music, instrumental music, or theatre. In seventh grade, students choose two of those disciplines for a year-long course. In eighth grade, students choose one discipline for a year-long course. In addition, students may participate in clubs and in the school’s theatre productions throughout the year.
LOCKERS
All Middle School students are assigned lockers in the Middle School building. You do not need to purchase a lock — lock-free lockers are visible evidence of Steward’s Honor Code and locker shelves are not needed. New students will be given locker assignments and instructions for setting up lockers during Middle School Orientation on August 14.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Each Middle School student is required to wear either a plain t-shirt or one with a small logo, athletic shorts, and
athletic shoes during PE class. Sweatshirts and sweatpants may be needed during the colder months. Students are responsible for taking PE clothes home over the weekend, laundering, and bringing them back for the following week of class. Students may provide an extra pair of athletic shoes to be stored in their PE locker.
ATHLETICS
In grades 6-12, Steward has approximately 40 athletic teams. Grades 6-10 are eligible for JV teams; grades 8-12 are eligible for Varsity teams. Steward’s JV and Varsity teams compete as a member of the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools. In addition to our high participation rate and our philosophy of Honor the Game, Steward Athletics boasts a winning tradition, including 16 state championship teams at the varsity level. There is a no-cut policy for Middle School teams, which ensures that each child will have a team to be on. Specific information about fall sports and practices will be emailed in July and posted on the website.
GIRLS FALL SPORTS BOYS FALL SPORTS Cross Country Cross Country Field Hockey Soccer Tennis (co-ed) Tennis (co-ed) Volleyball
GIRLS WINTER SPORTS BOYS WINTER SPORTS Basketball Basketball Cheerleading Cheerleading
GIRLS SPRING SPORTS BOYS SPRING SPORTS Lacrosse Baseball Soccer Lacrosse Tennis (co-ed) Tennis (co-ed)
Athletics QR l.ead.me/tss-sports
SUMMER READING
The Middle School encourages summer reading for all students. All Middle School students are required to read at least two books with various guidelines over the summer. After reading, all students will write an introduction letter to their teacher. Specifics about the books to be read and the introduction letter assignment are provided on the school’s website.
S UMMER MATH
While no summer math work is required in the Middle School, we encourage students to keep their “math brain” active. We will provide a list of suggestions for summer math work on the school’s website.
S UMMER SPANISH
Summer is a wonderful time to explore ways to enhance your Spanish learning. Any amount of time that you spend reviewing or engaging with the language will benefit you immensely next school year. While no summer Spanish work is required, the Middle School Spanish department recommends you challenge yourself with the activities provided on the website.
Summer Work QR
l.ead.me/tss-msh
S UPPLY LISTS
Middle School supply lists are available with other back-toschool information on the school’s website starting in May.
NEW FAMILY PICNIC & ORIENTATION
Relax! You’ll have an opportunity to meet fellow parents at the JK-12 New Family Picnic on June 11. We’ll walk you through the important information at the Middle School Orientation on August 14 for all 6th grade students and parents and new 7th and 8th grade students and parents.
JK-12 New Family Picnic* June 11, 5-6:30 p.m.
*For all families of new Spartans
Middle School Orientation August 14
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!
MIDDLE SCHOOL CHECKLIST
ACADEMICS
q SUMMER READING
q OPTIONAL SUMMER MATH
q OPTIONAL SUMMER SPANISH
q CLASS SCHEDULES
Available August 1
q BOOKS
q SUPPLIES
HEALTH INFORMATION
q COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA SCHOOL ENTRANCE
HEALTH FORM
Required for rising 6th grade and all new students
q EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Required for students with life-threatening allergies, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy or other acute medical needs.
q ATHLETIC PHYSICAL AND CONCUSSION FORMS
Required for all students wishing to participate on a sports team. All forms are due prior to the first practice.
UPPER SCHOOL
NAMES TO KNOW IMPORTANT FALL DATES
Bobby Pollicino Director of Upper School
Lee Healey Upper School Division Assistant
Elizabeth Simpson Upper School Academic Dean
Melissa Freed Upper School Curriculum Dean
Gardner Mundy Upper School Dean of Students
Peter Hurley Upper School Dean of Student Support
Heather Jeter Director of College Counseling
Bruce Secrest Director of Athletics
Jessica McKenna Registrar
Kendall Hrabak, RN School Nurse
ABSENCES
Faculty/Staff Directory QR
l.ead.me/tss-directory
Please notify the division assistant in the morning when your child will be absent, arriving late, or leaving early. Emailing US@stewardschool.org is the preferred method of notification. Ms. Healey can also be reached at 804.565.2308. For policies regarding numbers of absences and academic repercussions, please refer to the Student and Parent Handbook online.
NEW FAMILY PICNIC & ORIENTATION
Relax! You’ll have an opportunity to meet fellow parents at the JK-12 New Family Picnic on June 11. We’ll walk you through the important information at the Upper School Orientation on August 13 for all new Upper School parents.
JK-12 New Family Picnic* June 11, 5-6:30 p.m.
*For all families of new Spartans
Upper School Orientation August 13
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!
Athletic Parent Meeting July 28; 6-7 p.m.
Schedules Available August 1
JV/Varsity Fall Athletic Practices Begin August 4
Grade 9 and New Student Orientation August 13
First Day of School August 25
Welcome Back Coffee and Sparticipation Fair September 3 8:15 a.m.
Picture Day September 4
Grade 12 Parent/Student Meeting September 10 6:30 p.m.
Grade 11 Parent/Student Meeting September 15 6:30 p.m.
Back-to-School Night (parents meet teachers) September 17 6-8 p.m.
Upper School Class Trips September 26
10
9
Middle and Upper School Grandparents Day
S CHEDULES
Schedules for all Upper School students will be made available in early August. New families will receive login information via email.
Calendar QR
l.ead.me/tss-cal
Questions? Don’t hesitate to call Lee Healey, Upper School division assistant, at 804.565.2308 or email her at Lee.Healey@stewardschool.org
EXAMS
Final exams are given at the end of each semester and are worth 20 percent of the semester grade. Dates for exams coincide with published schedules for the start of winter break and the end of school. Specific exam schedules are generally posted four to six weeks before exams begin. Please do not plan to start a vacation on or before the final day of an exam period.
LOCKERS
All Upper School students are assigned lockers in the Upper School building. You do not need to purchase a lock — lockfree lockers are visible evidence of Steward’s Honor Code.
Schedules, advisor information, and locker assignments will be available in MySchool App in early August.
TECHNOLOGY
All students in grades 9-12 are required to bring a Windows or Apple laptop.
PERSONAL DEVICES
Personal devices such as cell phones and smart watches may not be used during the academic day. Please see the Family and Student Handbook for further details.
F INE ARTS
An overwhelming majority of Upper School students participate in the arts. Performing arts include acting, choral music, instrumental music (concert band and jazz band), and technical theatre. The visual arts include numerous courses in traditional art, photography, and graphic arts. Advanced Placement courses include AP Studio Art: Drawing and AP Studio Art: 2D. All visual arts students exhibit their work in the community. In addition, there are performance opportunities in the school’s three mainstage theatre productions throughout the school year.
ATHLETICS
Technology QR l.ead.me/tss-tech
In grades 6-12, Steward has approximately 40 athletic teams. Grades 6-10 are eligible for JV teams; grades 8-12 are eligible for Varsity teams. Steward’s JV and Varsity teams compete as a member of the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools. In addition to our high participation rate and our philosophy of Honor the Game, Steward Athletics boasts a winning tradition, including 16 state championship teams at the varsity level.
Specific information about fall sports and practices will be emailed in July and posted on the website.
GIRLS FALL SPORTS BOYS FALL SPORTS
Cross Country Cross Country Field Hockey Soccer Tennis
Volleyball
GIRLS WINTER SPORTS BOYS WINTER SPORTS Basketball Basketball Cheerleading Swimming Swimming Diving Diving
GIRLS SPRING SPORTS BOYS SPRING SPORTS Golf Baseball Lacrosse Golf Soccer Lacrosse Tennis
SUMMER WORK
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All English, math, and AP courses will have summer assignments. The primary purpose of these assignments is to help students continue building the core skills they will need for success in the upcoming year. Often students will need to bring the completed assignment to class on the first day of school in August.
Detailed information on the assignments required for each course is provided on the Upper School Hub. If you have any questions about specific assignments, please email the respective department chair or teacher.
If you are unsure what courses you will be taking in the upcoming year, please reach out to Lee Healey at Lee. Healey@stewardschool.org. Summer Work QR
COMMUNITY SERVICE
The school believes that community service is a vital part of its role as a steward and seeks to find ways to instill this belief in its students. The mission of the Upper School Community Service Program is to improve and strengthen our sense of community and foster civic engagement through service. The intent of this program is to strengthen our partnerships in the greater Richmond community, provide students with hands-on, collaborative experiences, support diverse organizations, and instill continued civic engagement, leadership, and public service in our students.
Students in grades 9-12 are required to complete twenty hours of community service each year. Community Service forms are due by the end of the year. Freshmen get their community service hours by volunteering during Freshmen Minimester Week. Students may complete hours through an outside organization and/or through a Steward organization (like Admission Ambassadors). Hours completed over the summer (like Steward Sports Camps) count toward the following year.
Community service requirements by grade level:
Ninth Grade
20 hours of community service during Freshmen Minimester
Tenth and Eleventh Grades
20 hours of community service (an organization of the student’s choosing)
Twelfth Grade:
20 hours of community service (may include 10 campaign hours for government class)
Students are responsible for applying for volunteer positions (if applicable), scheduling work hours with their organizations, and having all necessary forms completed and turned in to the school on time. All parts of the community service requirements must be completed in order to advance to the next grade or graduate.
D RIVER’S EDUCATION
If you are interested in information about Driver’s Education, please contact Lee Healey at 804.565.2308 or Lee.Healey@stewardschool.org.
