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Academics
Academic Divisions (JK-12)
Upper School
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Preparing for college
and beyond
At Steward, our community-centered environment and small class sizes help students cultivate deep relationships with their peers, teachers, and coaches. Students benefit from tremendous opportunities for learning inside and beyond the classroom.
Our Upper Schoolers thrive in an atmosphere that prioritizes students’ engagement with both the academic content and the Steward community. Dedicated faculty guide students while challenging them to stretch beyond their comfort zone. From leadership projects to internships to student-led symposia, students learn vital skills, gain confidence, and innovate – qualities that will serve them as they move through college and life.
From their first day in Upper School, students are paired with an advisor who meets regularly with them throughout their path toward graduation. Advisory groups range in size from 6-10 and are grade-based, which allows for focused conversations and connections among peers. This fundamental support system leads students through the complexities and challenges they may face during the important years before college.
Curriculum
The Steward School is proud to present an academic program that allows scholars to follow a variety of pathways toward graduation. Five core courses in the areas of English, social studies, mathematics, Spanish, and science, plus a grade-level seminar and one or more electives, make up a typical Upper School schedule. To keep students challenged and engaged throughout their academic journeys, we offer numerous honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. A list of AP classes can be found in our Curriculum Guide.
Throughout their tenure at Steward, students hone skills that synthesize learning across disciplines and foster critical-thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. As a college-preparatory school, we equip students to enter the world with a depth of knowledge and a lifelong curiosity.
The academic curriculum is enhanced by the advisory program, service-learning opportunities, and extracurricular offerings, including athletics, clubs, and organizations.
Athletics and Arts
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More than 75% of Upper School students participate on athletic teams.
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More than 90% participate in arts classes and extracurricular activities.
Technology
Upper Schoolers are responsible for bringing their own laptops to school each day. Students use laptops daily for tasks such as note-taking, writing papers, and research. While we value the use of technology in the classroom, we know it can also be a distraction, which is why we instituted a prohibitive cell phone policy. Students in grades 9-11 may not use their phones during the school day and turn them in to their advisor each morning; seniors have limited use of their phones, in designated spaces, during the school day.
Facilities
The Upper School is located in two adjoining buildings, Taylor Hall and Cosby Hall. The Upper School experience also includes:
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three student commons
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science labs and prep areas for biology, chemistry, anatomy, physics, and fundamentals of research
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the ability to showcase major visual arts exhibits
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classes in the Paul R. Cramer Center for the Arts and the Bryan Innovation Lab
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lunch in the Dining Commons
Tour the Upper School!
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Upper School Curriculum Guide
Read MoreUpper School Curriculum Guide
The Steward School is proud to present a rigorous academic program at all levels, allowing students to follow individual paths toward graduation. The academic curriculum is the cornerstone of a Steward education, which is further enhanced by the advisory program, service learning opportunities, extracurricular activities, and a small school environment. Throughout their academic studies, students will hone skills that synthesize learning across the disciplines and foster critical thinking, communication, and problem solving. As a college-preparatory school, Steward believes that its students should be well-prepared to enter the world with a breadth of knowledge that allows them to pursue their passions. -
Activities
- More than 80% of students in grades 6-12 participate on athletic teams.
- More than 90% participate in the arts.
- One feature of the extracurricular program is the scheduling of clubs during the school day so that those with after-school responsibilities may still participate in clubs.
- The school's numerous organizations and clubs are a key part of creating the Steward experience and help to strengthen individual interests. Often, the friendships developed and lessons learned through these organizations help students discover what is truly important to them.
- Student organizations include: Admissions Ambassadors, Class Officers, Honor Council, National Honor Society, Student Council for Activities, and Student Life Committee.
- Students also have opportunities to start their own clubs as long as they are appropriate in nature and have a faculty sponsor.
- A sampling of Upper School clubs includes Battle of the Brains, Bring Change to Mind, Black Student Alliance, Creative Writing, Debate, Entrepreneurship, FOCUS, Gardening, GSA, Thespians, Model UN, Outdoor Adventure, Podcast, Robotics, Spirit Squad, Stewardship, Women's Empowerment, and more.
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Facilities
The Upper School is located in two adjoining buildings, Taylor Hall and Cosby Hall. Some highlights of the Upper School include:- Three Student Commons
- Science Labs and Prep Areas for Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, Physics, and Fundamentals of Research
- The ability to showcase major visual arts exhibits
- Classes are also held in the Cramer Center, the Bryan Innovation Lab, the Athletic Center, and Wilton Hall
- Lunch is provided in the Dining Commons
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College Counseling Office
The College Counseling Office, which includes four expert faculty members, individualizes the college admission process for each student during his or her journey from ninth grade through graduation. This personalized attention helps each student find his or her best fit within an often overwhelming number of college options. In past years, nearly 100% of our students have matriculated at a top-choice college. -
Advanced Placement
To keep students challenged and engaged along their academic journeys, we offer numerous honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. A list of our AP classes can be found in our Curriculum Guide. Five core courses in the areas of English, social studies, mathematics, Spanish, and science, plus a grade-level seminar and one or more electives make up a typical Steward Upper School schedule. -
Grade-Level Seminars
In grade-level seminars, Upper School students explore the fundamentals of design and engineering, coding, health and wellness, research writing, and public speaking. Students create their own unforgettable experiences during our one-week Minimester program that includes internships, community service, foreign and domestic travel, and the capstone Senior Project. -
Entrepreneurship Studies Program
We also offer a unique Entrepreneurship Studies program that incorporates academic studies, hands-on learning, and skill building, as well as the possibility of earning a unique credential that will prepare students both for their college applications and their future careers. Local entrepreneurs partner with our teachers to lead the program. -
Upper School Leadership Program
This unique credentialing opportunity is the first of its kind among Richmond-area independent schools. The Leadership Program combines hands-on learning with academic studies, enabling participants to become more effective leaders at Steward and beyond. Long-standing partnerships with the leadership schools at Virginia Tech and the University of Richmond enhance the student experience.
Upper School News
List of 3 news stories.
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Bryan Innovation Lab Week
Faculty gather to ideate, share, and plan -
Standout Spartan: Gabriel Zepeda '28
A proud, dedicated Eagle Scout -
Standout Spartan: Lindsey Jennings '04
This Spartan cherishes lifelong Steward connections
The Steward School
Inspire the future.
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