The Steward School

Our experience at The Steward School has been life-giving to our family. We were in search of a school that could accommodate my son's learning needs and nurtures his sense of belonging. At the end of elementary school, our son seemed like a dry plant in search of water. Once he started at Steward, he was nourished on so many levels and became a thriving plant. His confidence soared and the teachers were able to see the inner part of our son that public schools missed due to class size. This made all the difference in the world for his social and emotional health at school and at home. This school has taught Rowen to believe in himself and he is becoming the person we have always known him to be. The warmth and culture are felt as soon as you enter the campus. Here are a few reasons we wholeheartedly believe in this school:* There is a place for everyone at Steward* Warm welcome with the first interaction* More than a school, it's a community* Diverse population* Friendly faculty and staff* The faculty and staff show deep care and nurture each student so they feel known and loved. * The smaller class size allows the teachers to deeply engage with the students on their level. * The teachers are able to make academic accommodations to help the student succeed in their best way.* The faculty and staff develop a strong sense of belonging to the students. * The school develops a lifelong learner with an engaging curriculum.

Our experience at Steward has overall, been a really good one. While no school is perfect, Steward makes every effort to meet their students where they are, and work with them and their families to achieve their academic and developmental potential. When there are issues or concerns, they are met with a professional and open demeanor, and I feel that as a parent, my concerns have been respected and addressed. Additionally, I think that the students are encouraged to be their own champions at all levels. I absolutely feel like my children have been pushed academically, and I have learners on either end of the spectrum. We joined the Steward community when our oldest was going into high school. A year later, our youngest joined the lower school. Our experiences on either "bookend" of Steward have been really strong ones, and we look forward to seeing what Middle School holds. I would encourage families who are looking for an intimate school with personalized attention to consider absolutely consider Steward. As our oldest heads onto the next adventure, I am truly amazed at the level of personalized care, instruction, and focus that she has received from the Upper School Faculty and Staff (especially College Counseling!). I have had my concerns, and have had issues of concern, but every school has issues. When I've brought them forward in a constructive, professional, and appropriate way, they have been addressed in the same respectful manner and I absolutely feel like the investment we've made in our children through Steward will pay dividends in the future.

The Steward School has been a blessing to our family. Our daughter enrolled at Steward in seventh grade, and we were excited and hopeful that she would find attention and support there beyond what she was receiving in public school, as she is a quiet student. Then suddenly we are in the middle of the pandemic, and somehow Steward is able to forge ahead and make school possible during all of that uncertainty. What we have found has been a game-changer. The "Steward" School means just that, the faculty are in fact Stewards: of childhood, community, education, and well-being. While the school itself is modern and innovative it also provides warmth, support, and insight into the education of children. Our child is not only "okay" she is thriving. Gone is the fabled "race to nowhere" that has been the result of high-pressure courses and high-stakes testing in school. Rigorous academics are certainly there but so are a community, care, and kindness. They have threaded the needle perfectly between attention to the individual while also working towards the whole of their community, on a local and global scale. The teachers know their students as does the administration. The middle school director, Susan Atkinson is a standout!

We have two children at The Steward School. We had started late (in Middle School and Upper School) but have had a great experience. Our children are challenged academically and are encouraged to be individuals. There are many extracurricular opportunities available. The teachers are exemplary and the Headmaster takes an active part in meeting the parents and knowing the children. We are grateful for the opportunity to have our children enrolled at The Steward School. We recommend it highly.

We LOVE the Steward School! There are several reasons why, but these are the top reasons that we are Spartan Proud: I have an opportunity to be very involved in my daughter's education and aware of any potential challenges as they arise. Steward empowers and encourages the parents to speak up on behalf of their child. This allows for open lines of communication and gives us the ability to have an invaluable active role in their education. In today`s environment, it`s comforting to know that my child is in a safe learning environment, with a culture that places emphasis on personal responsibility and ethics. The lower staff-to-student ratio played a huge part in our decision, as we know that it allows for more observation and 1:1 time. And my daughter is thriving in this environment. Because the class sizes are smaller, this allows students and teachers to form closer relationships and foster a safe environment to be vulnerable and share. I found that my daughter is more comfortable in sharing her opinions, feelings, or even making a mistake. My daughter`s teachers have all been amazing in learning about who she is, what makes her unique, and her strengths. This has allowed them to tailor their style to best help her grow. It`s hard not to consider the Steward faculty part of our family considering all they have done and still do for our daughter. Our daughter is growing up to be a wonderful child with great values thanks to the efforts of our extended Steward community. 5 stars just isn`t enough when talking about Steward. They are in a class of their own!

Great diverse school with outstanding academics and an overall philosophy that instills in each student to be the best student and person he or she can be. My daughter learned lots of wonderful life skills... including building lifelong relationships with classmates and fabulous staff members.

With seven years of experience at The Steward School between two individual children, it is without hesitation that we wholeheartedly recommend the school. When we believed that class sizes became too large in the public middle school for teachers to be fully engaged with students, we began looking at Steward. What we found was a school "home" for our son where he was quickly immersed in all aspects of his education: academic classroom learning, student government, honor council, a full array of school clubs, fine arts, and athletics. He thrived with the personal attention and engagement of every teacher, as well as with the opportunity to give almost any area of interest and try. Later, when we saw the failings of the public middle school curriculum for our daughter, we chose to move her to Steward, and she quickly blossomed academically and found multiple opportunities for engagement both in and out of the classroom. The heart of The Steward School is in the personal connections and relationships that the teachers and administrators strive to make daily. Whether it is in offering extra assistance during office hours, encouraging students to take on new challenges, or simply engaging in a conversation about a student's personal interests, the faculty at Steward is continuously working to help each student develop and grow to meet their full potential.

The Steward School is definitely the best small school in Richmond! From the faculty, to the grounds, to the administration and the college counseling program, Steward consistently outshines all the competition. My son had a personal relationship with each of his teachers, his college counselor, and the headmaster of the school. No child is a stranger at Steward, and no child gets left behind. The academics are rigorous and engaging, and my son is leaving Steward a very different individual because of the growth, learning, and development he honed during his years at Steward. I would recommend this school without hesitation to anyone looking for a small school experience.

This is our 14th year at Steward. All 3 of our boys started here in kindergarten. Our oldest is now at The University of Virginia. Steward meets your child where he is and helps him become the best version of himself. Our boys have thrived in Honors and AP classes, varsity athletics, band, theater tech and student government. Steward's college counseling is also absolutely incredible. With small classes and a small overall school size, your child will feel seen, heard and cared for at Steward.

We have been at Steward since Kindergarten and my daughter will be a "lifer" graduate in 2019. I have watched her grow into a confident young woman, who attributes her success to the education and nurturing she has received at The Steward School. She enjoys competitive girls soccer, several clubs and has been given the opportunity to start her own club, participates in regional events like Model UN, is supported in internship opportunities that require her to occasionally miss class time, and has established life-long friendships. The Steward family is one that supports one another and celebrates a sense of community that is unique to any other school environment. Our family is so honored to be part of the Steward family!

This is our 9th year at Steward and we could not be happier. Over those 9 years, we have watched Steward grow in so many areas. As teachers have retired, new, even more amazing ones have taken their place. As administrators follow different paths, we have been grateful for their experience and have been awed by the new ones joining the Steward family. We have had the opportunity to become close with so many on the Steward campus and everyone, from the Development office, to Admissions, to Marketing, to Community Advancement, to coaches, to advisors, to support staff as well as teachers strive daily to make each day our kids spend at school a challenging, nurturing, learning, fun, inclusive, and stimulating environment. Truly I say, Steward employs and enrolls only the best of the best. The student body is diverse in ethnicity, religion, academic strengths, athletic skill, fine arts talent and leadership styles. Almost any club, activity, class or challenge your child wants to take on is available at Steward. Steward really does live out its mission and daily strives to embody it's tag line, "fuel the mind, stir the imagination and unleash the possibilities".

Steward is a phenomenal school and above all a great community! Teachers, administrators, head of school, and faculty are very approachable and work together to make sure that every child's needs are attended to. Everyone knows your child's name. In addition, the diversity of the school plays a great factor in the character development of the students. Also, the well-rounded curriculum fuels each child's unique potential allowing them to nurture and excel their fields of interest. Therefore, making learning a fun enjoyable process they are more likely to retain from. No school system is perfect but Steward is as perfect as they come!

I wish we knew about Steward earlier! My children are in their sophomores at Steward School and they are excited about going to school every day. They have been able to take on honors and AP classes as well as extracurriculars-both academic and sports-with full zest and enthusiasm. This is clearly because they enjoy school and have the support of their teachers and administration. The Steward community is diverse and inclusive. The school offers a strong academic curriculum along with many sports teams and performance arts. We are Spartans for life!

The Steward School is truly our second home. We have been a part of the Steward Community for 10 plus years and have a current 9th grader and 4th grader at the school. Steward has been such a gift to us and to our children. The school has a unique perspective on each child and truly meets the child at his/her level and strengths. It has been such a joy to see our children grow and engage at their own pace. We have witnessed first hand how a school can grow by leaps and bounds in terms of facilities, resources, and outstanding faculty while maintaining a small school feel and a nurturing environment.

This is our 10th year at Steward. We have two children who have attended since kindergarten. We continue to be impressed with the academics, facilities, athletics, and amazing resources and experiences offered by the Steward School. We have seen it grow significantly over the last 10 years and still maintain its "small school" approach to meet each and every students needs. A true gem!

We are the parents of two boys attending the Steward School- an 8th grader and a 12th grader, and we have been part of the Steward community for 3 years. Moving my son from a large public high school following his freshman year was the best move that we could have made. The public middle and high school that my sons previously attended have large classes. The teachers do not have the time to get to know your child, respond to student questions, or stay in contact with you. Everything revolves around "teaching to the test" and survival of the fittest. Steward provides the opposite experience - teachers know your child and their friends, they pin-point issues quickly and address them and they are invested in the students as individuals. Like other reviewers, we never thought we would send our kids to private school. We both went to public schools and our families are filled with public school teachers. We have learned that every child thrives in the right environment. The only regret my husband and I have is that we did not send our children to Steward earlier.

The BEST school ever!!!!! We could not be happier to be a member of the Steward School community. The teacher and staff are caring, innovative, team oriented and just plain fabulous. We are what is called "First Choicers". While our son was accepted at every school we applied to, Steward was our first choice--hands down. We were drawn to Steward's mission and the small classes. Now, we are in love with the academics, theater & arts programs, the Bryan Innovation Lab, character development, athletics and well, everything! While were are still in the Lower School, I have had several opportunities to get to know the College Counselor, Heather Jeter, and she is a true gem. She walks the students and families through the process seamlessly and students find the right fit college for themselves. I could go on forever. You won't find a better place for your child(ren) to learn, thrive and find their true passion.

This is our first year at Steward`s Upper School. My husband and I were looking for a school that was a great fit for our children in terms of academics and extra-curricular activities and we found this all at the Steward school. Steward offers an inclusive, warm and holistic learning environment for the students. Steward is smaller compared to the other schools in its category, but we looked at it as a great benefit for our kids. Smaller class sizes with amazing teachers and a great curriculum is what we were looking for. The Bryan Innovation lab offers STEM education in Robotics and the Performing Arts program has produced plays that are very professional. The Visual Arts and Music programs are also excellent. The school invites inspirational speakers on a regular basis. The school campus is beautiful and the facilities are top notch. For the parents, there are many social events and volunteer activities where parents can socialize with other parents as well as volunteer for the school. You will find the admissions process very thorough. The admissions team is extremely helpful and they want the best for your child as well. My kids were so impressed with their visit day that it made the decision making process so much easier.

Our son started at The Steward School last year (6th grade) and it has completely changed his life. He had a wonderful experience at Tuckahoe Elementary but our experience at The Steward School has changed his academic outlook and trajectory. Every teacher and administrator is fully committed to make sure that each student is comfortable, thriving and engaged. He has been challenged academically and pushed to learn new things in new and different ways. He is as comfortable and confident as ever both personally and academically. We honestly believe that our son will be more prepared for life, more interested, thoughtful and aware of all that life has to offer because of The Steward School. Our only regret is that we didn't get him exposed the The Steward experience earlier in life.

My husband and I never thought we would send our kids to private school. We were both raised in public schools, now living in Henrico County . . . but the large classroom environment, the rigid (and sometimes illogical) curriculum, and the inability of even the best teachers to fully meet our daughter's needs in our public schools led us to Steward. Our daughter (and then, later, our son) has thrived at Steward due to its small class sizes, its focus on meeting each child exactly where they are, and its appreciation of them for exactly who they are. Most importantly, we value Steward's focus on high standards of character, in addition to excellence in academics. Our children could become "educated" at any number of schools; but at Steward, our personal values of integrity, compassion and care for others are reinforced every day. We are so grateful to have found this community.

We have had the honor to be a part of the Steward School community for 6 years now. We have three children at the school. All three of our children excel at Steward for different reasons. Each of them are met with academic challenges that stimulate them in their strong subjects and nurture growth in their weaker areas. All three participate in athletics at school and are learning valuable life lessons as a part of a team and on the athletic fields/courts. The faculty and staff are excellent and the school's leadership is amazingly strong. We are very involved at school and have had the opportunity to be a part of all areas of campus and school life. We feel so fortunate to offer this experience to our children and make connections within this wonderful community. We highly recommend The Steward School.

I have two boys at the Steward School. One is about to enter high school and the other will graduate this year. The "loving push", as I call it, that the faculty, administrators, and coaches have given them has taken my children beyond my expectations and their own. The teachers and facilities are second-to-none, and there are challenges and opportunities to meet the students where they are and take them where they never thought they could go. The culture of integrity, kindness and respect is ever-present along the way.

My children have had a fantastic year at The Steward School. The smaller class size allows for personal interaction with the teachers and peers, and plenty of sports opportunities and playing time. We love it!

Truly, The Steward School is a mission-driven community of students, parents, faculty and staff completely committed to helping all students explore their passions and prepare for life! My daughter's success here is a beautiful example that started in Kindergarten and continues into 9th grade next year. Not only has she been nurtured along the way, but challenged academically in the classroom, on the soccer and lacrosse playing fields and in the Bryan Innovation Lab where innovation rules! This year, she won a national science award, but it was the faculty of Steward that supported her in this effort. She will be a "lifer!" (attended K-12)

I am so glad that I have enrolled my daughter at The Steward School! The facilities are beyond comparison, the staff and faculty are amazing, and the programs they offer are wonderful! My daughter loves coming to school each day and is learning content in so many different and innovative ways. Our family is so happy to be part of the Steward community!