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St. Stephen’s Academy Upper School

(Grades 6-12)

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Shaping Thinkers, Leaders, and Faithful Servants

At St. Stephen’s Academy, we understand the great responsibility of shaping children’s hearts and minds. Our dedication goes beyond education; it’s about nurturing character, cultivating wisdom, and fostering a deep love for learning. We firmly believe that education is about imparting knowledge and molding young individuals into thinkers, leaders, and faithful servants. Your children are the future, and we are committed to partnering with families to advocate for every student’s academic and spiritual success.

Advancing Classical Education in Our Upper School

St. Stephen’s Academy’s Upper School (Grades 6-12) builds upon the classical education foundation established in earlier years. Rooted in the traditions of Western civilization, our approach not only imparts academic knowledge but also cultivates the art of thinking and effective expression. Our Upper School encompasses the two final stages of the Classical Trivium–Logic and Rhetoric:

During the middle school years, our focus is on equipping students with the tool of Logic. This tool is sharpened through multiple classes as students study formal logic in Logic, the scientific method in Science, the logic of language in Latin, and proof writing in Geometry. An emphasis on helping students to formulate coherent and sound arguments builds a skill they will carry into all other subjects.

In high school, we train student to express their thoughts clearly and persuasively through a focus on the Art of Rhetoric. This stage goes beyond mere eloquence; it’s about nurturing wisdom guided by a Christian worldview. Our students engage in in-class guided discussions, debating enduring historical and literary questions. Every discussion is rooted in Scripture. Writing and defending a senior thesis before faculty is a rite of passage, demonstrating their comprehensive understanding of their educational journey at St. Stephen’s Academy.

What Makes St. Stephen’s Upper School Unique?

Upper School Academics instruct grades 6-12, which includes the Logic and Rhetoric stages of learning within the trivium and marks a a departure from the Grammar stage of young childhood. In our Upper School, students enter the Logic stage as older children and emerge as young adults. This phase is a critical juncture in their development, and our dedicated teachers and staff provide guidance as students grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Critical Thinking and Latin Proficiency

St. Stephen's Academy's Upper School covers grades 6 through 12, offering a distinctive educational journey that spans the Logic and Rhetoric stages of learning. This unique approach equips our students with essential tools for critical thinking, formal logic, and Latin proficiency, setting us apart from other institutions in the area. We prioritize teaching students how to think critically, construct sound arguments, identify errors in reasoning, as well as excel in Latin. These foundational skills become the cornerstone of their future educational endeavors.

Character and Rhetoric

At St. Stephen's Academy, we are deeply committed to nurturing character, cultivating wisdom, and fostering a profound love for learning. As our students transition into the Rhetoric stage, they are prepared to graduate with academic proficiency as well as Godly Character, Wisdom, and Eloquence. Our formal Rhetoric instruction teaches Students to express thoughts and arguments with “fluency, grace, elegance, and persuasiveness” (Bauer, The Well-Trained Mind). All students are taught to express truth through guidance from the Spirit of God and scripture.

In-Depth Dialogue

Across subjects, students engage in in-depth discussions and explore profound themes in history and literature. They showcase their knowledge through senior theses, demonstrating their comprehensive understanding of their educational journey at St. Stephen's Academy's Upper School. Our distinctive approach ensures that students don't just accumulate knowledge; they learn how to use it effectively, confidently articulate their ideas, and prepare themselves to lead with wisdom and eloquence in all future endeavors.

Experience Our Upper School Classrooms

Visitors to our Upper School witness lively debates, students crafting persuasive arguments, and the application of logic to solve complex problems. Our classrooms are dynamic arenas of intellectual exploration. Here, students engage in honest discussions, critically analyze texts, and master the art of presenting ideas with clarity and conviction. We prepare students to be lifelong learners, armed with “the tools of learning” to enable them to excel in the paths God calls them to.

Join Us at St. Stephen's

Join us at St. Stephen’s Academy and experience the transformative power of classical Christian education. Schedule a tour of our Upper School today and discover how we shape thinkers, leaders, and faithful servants for tomorrow’s challenges. Your child’s journey toward academic, moral, and spiritual excellence begins here.