Portrait of a Graduate

Every student at St. Stephen’s Academy is unique, with his or her own personality, gifts, and calling. So in one sense, it is impossible to paint a single portrait of the typical St. Stephen’s graduate. That said, our curriculum and culture are purposefully designed to cultivate particular affections, habits, and skills in students who embrace the education offered to them, so that families who invest in a St. Stephen’s education can expect their graduate to demonstrate:

Through rigorous study and practice, St. Stephen’s Academy graduates have developed an appreciation for great works of literature, art, and music, as well as conversancy in mathematics, science, languages, logic, history, and theology. They are equipped to think, evaluate, and problem solve so that they can study and learn any subject in their life-long pursuit to better know, love, and enjoy God and his world.

St. Stephen’s Academy graduates have studied the order in creation so that they can humbly adapt themselves to it, understanding their position as created beings in need of the redemption God has provided in Jesus Christ. They have acquired discernment and the ability to dissect and critically analyze what they think, feel, see, and hear, so that they are not swayed by weak or superficial arguments. Like Stephen, their affections, thoughts, speech, and behavior is guided by the Spirit of God in obedience to the will of God revealed in the Word of God.

Understanding that God designed us to live in communion with Him and one another, St Stephen’s Academy graduates value the gift of language and use it to accomplish God’s purposes for written and verbal communication. They are able to logically and persuasively express their convictions in submission to Truth, and graciously engage in discourse by listening carefully, asking thoughtful questions, and speaking the truth in love. 

Knowledge without love breeds arrogance. Alongside knowledge, wisdom, and eloquence, St. Stephen’s Academy graduates will grow in virtue, characterized by rightly ordered affections towards God and man, honoring and promoting that which God loves, modeling integrity, humility, perseverance, and reverence for authorities established by God in submission to Jesus Christ. They will strive to honor God and please Him in all things, using the gifts He has given them to sacrificially serve others in their homes, churches, vocations, and communities.