Students Earn Academic Kudos

College readiness is an integral part of the Steward mission. We are exceptionally proud that 100% of our graduates are offered admission to four-year colleges and universities. In addition, nearly all of Steward’s graduates (98%) are offered admission to a top-choice college or university. 

Beginning in their freshman year, Upper Schoolers meet with members of the College Counseling team in preparation for the college admissions process. In their freshman through junior years, students take the PSAT. Developed by The College Board, the PSAT provides good practice for standardized testing, which may be a part of a student’s college application profile. 

Additionally, the score earned on the junior year PSAT could qualify a student for recognition by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Such recognition is quite competitive; three members of the Class of 2025 — Shehryar Chaudhry, Emerson Iwashyna, and Nels Moore — were named Commended Students in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. These students’ scores placed them among the top 50,000 scorers nationwide.

Additionally, Dante Castle '26 was named a National Hispanic Scholar, while Donovan Richardson '25 was named a National African American Scholar. These students’ PSAT scores placed them in the top 10 percent of program test-takers within Virginia.

Director of College Counseling Heather Jeter said, “We are immensely proud of these scholars’ standardized testing accomplishments. While testing’s role in the college admissions process has changed over the last few years, it remains an important component of many students’ college applications. It is a way for students who test well — such as these awardees — to distinguish themselves.”

In addition, 15 students were named AP Scholars (having achieved a 3 or higher on three or more exams), and 13 were named AP Scholars with Honor (having achieved a 3.25+ on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams). 

Also noteworthy: The Steward School received a Platinum designation from The College Board on this year’s AP School Honor Roll. Platinum schools have achieved the highest rating in three metrics: college culture, college credit, and college optimization. 

“In total, we had 55 students who received some form of recognition for their AP Testing performance,” said Ms. Jeter. “That is pretty amazing for our small community. Congratulations to these outstanding Upper School students!”