Who We Are

Shaping Lifelong Learners Through a Biblical Worldview

St. Stephen’s Academy is a PreK-12 school, located 10 miles west of Portland, Oregon. Our educational model is grounded in the Christian faith and rooted in classical traditions that have been tested and refined over the past 2,500 years. We aim to provide an academically excellent education that cultivates knowledge, wisdom, eloquence, and godly character. Our curriculum and culture are designed to instill a love of learning in our students and provide them with the tools necessary for a lifelong pursuit of knowledge.

Here, students receive a rigorous, top-tier education in a small class setting. We are dedicated to raising up discerning Christian leaders, and as such, our pedagogical approach imparts far more than academic knowledge; it cultivates the art of critical thinking and eloquent communication. Students are equipped to interact with the secular world in a wise and articulate manner, while applying a Biblical worldview to every aspect of life.

We engage with the whole student – mind, body, and soul – and strive to develop godly character, kindness towards classmates, and respect for teachers. We encourage our students to live out the Great Commandment, which is complete devotion and love for God as well as selfless concern for neighbor. Ultimately, St. Stephen’s Academy is built upon the vision of raising up a new generation of discerning Christian adults who are equipped to lead in their families, churches, vocations, and communities.

Supportive Learning Environment

We keep our class sizes small so that each student can be known and taught individually. A low student/faculty ratio provides more opportunities for teachers to interact with students and care for the needs of each child. Students spend time learning and understanding the material, wrestling with the ideas of others, developing their own questions and conclusions, and learning how to respond to others and communicate their thoughts in a gracious and persuasive manner.

14

Average Class Size

8:1

Student-to-Teacher Ratio

Equipping Future Leaders

At St. Stephen’s Academy, we equip children to excel in any field. Our comprehensive education from Pre-K to graduation encourages critical thinking, effective communication, and integrity. Our goal is to instill a love for the True, the Good, and the Beautiful and train confident leaders who enthusiastically pursue their calling with the tools of learning that will last a lifetime.

Total Faculty PreK-12

10

Men

25

Women

Headmaster

Travis Koch

B.A. History, Stanford University

M.A. History, Yale University

St. Stephen’s Academy supports families and churches by providing an academically excellent classical Christian PreK-12 education that cultivates knowledge, wisdom, eloquence, and godly character and equips students with the tools of learning that will last a lifetime.

To raise up a new generation of discerning Christian adults who are equipped to lead in their families, churches, vocations, and communities

The education at St. Stephen’s Academy is organized around the following foundational values:

Whole-person formation: a healthy balance between academic excellence and character formation
Christ-centered instruction: thoroughly grounded in the Scriptures and the historic, Protestant Christian faith
Classical curriculum: firmly committed to the time-tested classical, liberal arts tradition that trains up discerning Christian adults who are equipped to lead in their homes, churches, vocations, and communities
Relational community: a joy-filled educational environment and thriving community of families

Christian Foundation

God’s Sovereignty

God is sovereign. He possesses absolute authority over all things. He has created all things, sustains all things, and governs all things. He is the fountain of all being and truth. He works all things together for His own glory. Reverence, awe, worship, and faith are the fitting responses to the God who reveals Himself as Creator, Savior, and Judge. He is the foundation for true knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.

Antithesis

The principles by which believers live are squarely opposed to the principles by which unbelievers live. The Scriptures are clear that we are to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) Indeed, every aspect of our lives – every idea, motive, desire, and decision – belongs to Christ. Thus, to provide a God-centered and truly Christian education, it is necessary to break completely free from any anti-Christian educational philosophies. We must build from the ground up, with the Scriptures as the foundation, both our educational philosophies and the framework in which we understand and present all subject matter.

Worldview

The Christian worldview shapes our perspective and interpretation of everything in the world. Scripture is the “lens” through which we see, understand, and teach all things. The Christian worldview is antithetical to all other worldviews and thus requires that we present all ideas and concepts as part of a larger whole defined by Christian truth.

Neutrality

Because God is sovereign over all of His creation, there is no aspect of creation that does not reflect His glory and truth; hence, there is no place, subject, or issue that is neutral and that does not point to the Creator of all.

What is Classical Christian Education?

Classical Christian education is the process of transmitting Christian faith and culture to the next generation through an ordered exploration of the True, the Good, and the Beautiful, centered on the person and work of Jesus Christ, grounded in the Scriptures and the liberal arts tradition, which forms students’ affections and develops in them the habits of lifelong learning.

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Partnering in Education

We understand that raising your children is the most important thing you will do in life. St. Stephen’s Academy is here to support you in this God-given calling. We work closely with you to help your children become wise, articulate adults who love God and follow Him throughout their lives.

Have More Questions?

We’re happy to provide you with answers and assist you further. Contact our team today, and let us help you explore the opportunities St. Stephen’s Academy offers for your child’s education and personal growth.