The Philosophy Behind Our Enrichment Opportunities
At St. Stephen’s Academy, we believe that education extends beyond the confines of traditional classroom learning. Our commitment to a classical Christian education is embodied in rigorous academic pursuits and a robust array of enrichment opportunities. From arts to science, public speaking to engineering, our programs encourage students to explore their passions, develop new skills, and build character. We view these enrichment opportunities as an integral part of the liberal arts tradition and a vital contributor to our foundational value of whole-person formation.
Evening of Recitation
Every January, Lower School students grow in confidence and eloquence as they memorize a poem of their choice and recite it before a panel of judges. Two finalists from every class are invited to recite at our Evening of Recitation, the capstone event to this month-long focus on poetry. This is an opportunity for the school community to enjoy the steadfast efforts of the finalists while appreciating the beautiful and whimsical way that poetry portrays our Father’s incredible creation.
Poetry Out Loud
Students from grades 7-12 have the unique opportunity to participate in the national Poetry Out Loud competition. This event transcends mere memorization; it explores language in its most elevated form. Our students delve into poetry, learning to communicate its profound meanings. This aligns seamlessly with our rhetoric program’s goals, particularly in enhancing public speaking skills. We take pride in our students’ achievements, with several advancing beyond regional competitions to the state level, showcasing their exceptional understanding and articulation of poetry
Robotics
Our middle school students can join the robotics team, participating in the FIRST LEGO League tournaments. This program introduces them to engineering concepts, honing teamwork, presentation, and decision-making skills. Using LEGO Mindstorms parts and EV3 robots, students build fully autonomous robots capable of completing specific missions. Additionally, each team undertakes an innovation project, engaging with industry experts and businesses. Since 2013, St. Stephen’s teams have achieved notable success at local and state competitions, reflecting our commitment to practical, hands-on science education.
Choir
At St. Stephen’s Academy all students participate in choir as part of our standard curriculum. This represents our deep conviction that music instruction, especially singing together, is essential to a classical and Christian education. Students in grades 9-12 also have the opportunity to join our Festival Choir as an elective. Festival Choir has many performance opportunities including participating in the ACCS festival, the OSAA Choir State Championship, and singing the national anthem annually for our local minor league baseball team. St. Stephen’s Academy Festival Choir placed 1st in the OSAA Choir State Championship in 2023 and 2025, with their most recent win earning a superior rating in both singing and sight reading.
Visual Arts
Art is highly valued at St. Stephen’s academy, as it offers an incredible avenue for appreciating the True, the Good, and the Beautiful. The visual arts reflect and comment upon the complexity and splendor of God’s creation. At St. Stephen’s Academy, we seek to advance students’ technical abilities in a variety of media, while giving them an opportunity to develop their own style and voice. Students initially learn through guided imitation and incrementally advance to a creative independence founded in the techniques and skills they practiced early on. All students enter at least one local and one national art contest per year, reinforcing our belief that every student is capable of advancing their artistic abilities, and in doing so, glorifies the Lord. Multiple Upper School and Lower School students are blessed with national and state awards and honors each year.
Photo: Sophie R., 12th grade
Field Trips
St. Stephen’s Academy field trips are thoughtfully designed to enrich academic learning, forge stronger social bonds, and enhance the overall student experience. These excursions complement our rigorous curriculum, emphasizing real-world learning, character building, and community engagement. Some of our field trips include local farms, cathedrals, wetlands, and museums. Students engage in geological and astrological exploration, dissections, and farm-to-table meal preparation.
Schedule a Tour Today!
Discover the St. Stephen’s Academy difference where academic excellence meets spiritual growth. Our classical Christian school nurtures young minds and hearts in a supportive community, preparing them for a future of success and meaningful impact. Experience our unique approach to education firsthand. Schedule your tour today and see how your child can thrive at St. Stephen’s Academy.