admissions brochure 2015-16
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ÂTRANSCRIPT
the storyunfolds.
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 tion / unleash the possibilities
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.
fuel the mind / stir the imagina tion / unleash the possibilities
Meet that student on the next page.
gracie’s mind was FUeLed.gracie’s family has owned
chickens since she was about
two years old. so when the
annual third-grade project
tasked her with choosing a
topic in which to become an
expert, it was an easy choice.
and her interest in chickens
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
new breed of chicken. Her
efforts got the attention of
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.
Like any engine, the mind needs fuel.
Steward’s robust academic program
provides the strong curriculum that
young minds crave.
It is the perfect intersection of liberal arts
with science and technology. Students
are immersed in an environment that
encourages both independent research and
collaboration. They are taught to use critical
thinking and creative approaches to solve
real-world problems.
The curriculum is designed to do far more
than teach. It powers everything else
the school does, forming the foundation
of knowledge that students will use to
innovate, collaborate, and ultimately make
a difference in the world.
student-teacher ratio8:1
Million given in financial aid each year
$1.2
diversity with 8 countries represented
22%
year full tuition merit scholarship awarded annually to
two rising 9th graders
4
read about it on the next page.
3D Printers in our Bryan innovation lab
3
16-17Target class size:
square-fooT innovation building,
the only one in the city
6,300
imaginations are stirred Here.steward students excel in
innovation in an environment
that encourages discovery
and wonder. 3d printing is
one way students have used
their knowledge to innovate
and make a difference,
including the design and
creation of prosthetic arms,
knee joints, and similar
real-world applications. the
steward school partnered
with a clinic in the caribbean
that owned blood pressure
cuffs for infants but had no
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.
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
are and what they want to be. Class sizes
are kept small by design to allow for more
personalized attention and to help ensure
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
to try new things and not be afraid to fail. The
Bryan Innovation Lab and the exceptional
visual and performing arts programs are just
some of the tools that Steward uses to stir
imaginations and encourage discoveries.
see more on the next page.
nic’s PossibiLities were UnLeasHedFor 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
pursued that passion. major
League baseball was
impressed not only with his
talents and abilities, but with
him as a well-rounded,
well-adjusted individual. in
fact, mere weeks after
graduating from steward, nic
was drafted by a major League
baseball team. He politely
declined and chose instead to
pursue academics and attend
college, where he will play
division i baseball.
nic is an excellent example
of how the steward school
unleashes possibilities.
With the mind fueled and the imagination
stirred, the possibilities can be unleashed.
Steward students are prepared for college
certainly, but more importantly, they
are prepared for life. The wide range of
experiences available here, from academics
and athletics to the arts and community
service, helps students develop broad skills
that will serve them well in the future. They
develop an awareness of the world while
looking for opportunities to serve their
communities. They are more than students
or graduates. They are more than problem
solvers and innovators. They are stewards.
unleash the possibilities
unleash the possibilities
$4,155,340
Merit scholarships to colleges for sports and academic excellence in 2015:
37aCres with 6 academic buildings, 2 gyms,
8 tennis courts, 4 athletic fields, and a 500-seat theatre
true innoVation is an art.
bryan innovation LabThe 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 artsBeginning 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.atHLeticsLike 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.
basebaLL basKetbaLL cHeerLeading cross coUntry FieLd HocKey FUtsaL
goLF Lacrosse soccer swimming tennis voLLeybaLL
we are the spartans
of produce grown last year and donated to the community
1000 lbs
commUnity serviceThe 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.
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,
let the steward school help your child pursue
passions, fulfill potential, and make a
difference in the world.
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.
fuel the mind / stir the imagina tion / unleash the possibilities
fuel the mind / stir the imagina tion / unleash the possibilities
11600 Gayton Road Richmond, Virginia 23238-3423 804-565-2334 www.stewardschool.org