Culture
St. Stephen’s Academy is a school that serves students from PreK – 12, located in an urban setting near Portland. Our educational model is based on classical education, and we provide a Christian environment where we strive for excellence in academics and all other aspects of life. Our objective is to equip our students with the necessary tools to effectively interact with the secular world while also applying a Biblical worldview in every area of life.
We provide a top-tier education in math and the natural sciences, as well as language and humanities, with a focus on integrating all subjects as a whole. We believe that God is the creator of the world, and as such, everything relates back to Him. We apply the Bible to all areas of life, including every area of academic study.
Our goal is to instill a love for learning in our students and provide them with the tools necessary to continue learning throughout their lives. We engage with the whole student – mind, body, and soul – and strive to develop character, kindness towards classmates, and respect for teachers. We aim to encourage our students to live out the Great Commandment, which is complete devotion, love for God, and selfless concern for neighbor. Our students not only acquire knowledge but also develop heart knowledge as they grow in wisdom, character, and eloquence.
Community Dinner
At the start of every school year, the entire school community gathers for an evening of food and fellowship. This event is an excellent opportunity to meet other families in the school and start the year off in a fun way.
Protocol
What is protocol? According to Sandra Boswell’s book “Protocol Matters”, protocol refers to etiquette, manners, decorum, and social arts that result in joyful social interactions. However, this doesn’t mean that the work of protocol is easy; it can be quite challenging. Nevertheless, once you have mastered the tools of protocol, the treasures of pleasant interaction become easy to achieve.
For Christians, protocol presents an opportunity to put Philippians 4:8 into practice: “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
At St. Stephen’s Academy, 7th-12th grade students participate in a protocol event each year with their respective cohort: middle school or high school. The events promote opportunities to practice protocols around social engagements such as eating dinner and dancing.
House System
In 2014, St. Stephen's Academy established a house system to enhance the school's culture and provide a framework for student life in the Upper School. House systems originated in English boarding schools in the 19th century, where students lived, ate, and slept in separate houses during school terms. The advantages of such systems were quickly recognized and even today, American college campuses strive to achieve similar goals through dormitories, fraternities, and sororities.
St. Stephens House System Aims to do the Following
- Encourages collaboration and builds a sense of community among students and teachers.
- Provides opportunities for students to interact with peers from different grades and establish relationships that they would not otherwise have.
- Helps them develop individual responsibility and a greater understanding of their responsibility towards others.
- Promotes school culture through various competitions in athletics, arts, and academics.
Houses
St. Stephen’s Academy has four houses: Castile, Capet, Essex, and Milan. Each house takes its name and heritage from prominent houses of Medieval Europe, which played a significant role in shaping their respective nations by providing leadership, promoting virtue, and developing culture.
Milan
Castile
Essex
Capet
Engaging with Our Culture and Social Life
1. Tour
Call us, and we’ll answer your questions and schedule a time for you to stop by.
2. Apply
Start the enrollment process by submitting an easy online application.
3. Enroll
Look forward to the first day of school, and feel confident that you made the right choice.