Finding a Better Fit

“Parents who decide to move their children to Steward from public school cite various reasons,” said Admissions Director Lindsay McLaughlin. “They mention dedicated teachers, small class sizes, a community feel, and challenging academics — essential aspects of the Steward experience.” Parents also note Steward’s College Counseling Office and college outcome rate (nearly 100% of our graduates are accepted into a top-choice college or university), a focus on the social-emotional well-being of students, programs tailored to students’ interests, and a safe, supportive campus.  

At Steward, each student is engaged on a deeply individual level. Teachers serve as mentors as students learn, grow, and innovate inside and outside the classroom. We are proud to have been ranked #1 by Niche in the 2024 Best K-12 Private Schools and Best Private High School in the Richmond-area categories. In addition, in August 2024, Steward was named a top private school in Richmond magazine’s annual “Best of” edition. 

According to the Enrollment Management Association (EMA) 2023-24 report, “access to high-quality academic programs” was identified as the top factor parents named in choosing an independent school. In addition, “access to high-quality academic programs” and “providing an education that will challenge [their] child” were the two most frequently selected aspects when survey respondents identified their top three considerations for independent school selection during the search. “Supporting [their] child’s emotional and social development” was the third most frequently selected aspect identified. 

When the Jennings family (parents Windy and Andy and their son, Nate ’28) toured the school, they were impressed by Steward’s close-knit feel. 

“The campus is beautiful and easy to navigate,” said Mrs. Jennings, who had heard about Steward from friends. “We immediately loved the gym and weight room, as Nate plays basketball and loves to lift weights.” She added, “Everyone we came in contact with was so nice: genuine and authentic.” Nate was excited about Steward’s basketball program and the fact that Middle Schoolers spend time each day outside during recess.

The summer before he joined Steward, Nate was paired with a fellow Spartan as part of the school’s Buddy Program. “That was great for Nate, as he got comfortable on campus early,” noted Mrs. Jennings. A highlight from Nate’s first year at Steward was Wilderness Adventure, a week-long camping experience in the Blue Ridge mountains. “I also like that Steward’s curriculum is more rigorous than what I experienced in public school,” shared Nate, who is excited about the opportunities that Upper School offers. 

When Kristin and Mel Sisaithong toured The Steward School with their daughter, Emme ’35, they experienced “how caring the staff and faculty were with the students and each other,” said Mrs. Sisaithong. Emme was a bit nervous at first but felt at ease after meeting the Lower School teachers (and spending time on the playground!). 

Emme, who had flourished within a close-knit group at her daycare, struggled with anxiety when she attended public elementary school, recalled Mrs. Sisaithong. “The class did not work on reading skills, so when we chose to send Emme to Steward, she was starting below important benchmarks, and we were concerned she would not be able to catch up.” Thanks to Emme’s hard work and Steward’s nurturing faculty and staff, “Emme not only surpassed first-grade benchmarks by the end of the school year …  she fell in love with reading!” said Mrs. Sisaithong proudly. 

Evan Leake ’35 and his parents, Lindsey Carter and Drew Leake, learned about Steward from Evan's preschool teacher, who spoke highly of the school and thought it was a perfect match for Evan.

When Ms. Carter, Mr. Leake, and Evan toured Steward, they were impressed by the warmth and welcoming nature of the students, staff, and faculty they met. “Evan was struck by the outdoor spaces and the amount of time students spend outside throughout the day,” added Ms. Carter. The family was also happy to learn of Steward’s 8:1 student/faculty ratio. 

“We felt that Evan would thrive in a smaller classroom environment with personalized attention from teachers and staff,” said Ms. Carter. “After his first year at Steward, we can attest to the impact that faculty and staff made on Evan's confidence and work ethic. He had a tremendous first year as a Spartan and we saw him thrive and excel inside and outside the classroom. He made great friends and couldn’t wait to return to campus as a second grader.”

“When I think of Steward, the words ‘inclusive’ and ‘genuine’ come to mind,” said Angie Allen. Mrs. Allen and her husband, Mike, are the parents of Marita ’29 and Stuart ’32, both of whom began their tenure at Steward in August 2024. “When our children toured the campus, they were impressed by all that the school offers. Stuart was excited about more outside time and smaller class sizes, and Marita commented on the Bryan Innovation Lab opportunities.”

Mrs. McLaughlin and the rest of the admissions team (Beth Farmer-Smith, associate director of admissions), Bobbie Fass (assistant director of admissions), Julie Herzog (admissions associate), Lindsey Reynolds (admissions associate), and Dana Wiles (admissions psychologist) meet throughout the year with families who are contemplating switching from public to private school. 

“We know this decision is a big one, and we love sharing the Steward experience with parents and students,” said Mrs. McLaughlin. “When families tour the campus, they see firsthand what Steward offers, from academics to athletics, theatre, and the arts.”