Why St. Stephen's School?

With so many independent schools in the San Jose area, why should you choose St. Stephen's?  What is it about this place that sets it apart from the others? 

For children to achieve at the highest academic level they must be physically and psychologically safe – safe to take risks, to experiment, to challenge ideas and preconceptions.  In other words, safe to explore the world and make sense of it.  The community of St. Stephen's is exactly such a place. 

We are a small school, dedicated to bringing each child to his or her full measure of academic and personal growth.  Doing so offers quite a challenge, and requires that every member of the faculty know the learning strengths and challenges of each child.  Teachers need to know when a child will have the deepest learning experience when left to delve into a topic without help, and when that same child will benefit from a guided inquiry, a highly structured presentation of information, or drill and practice.  This is the art of teaching. 

As an Episcopal school, we embrace a wide range of beliefs and practices, and a respect for the beliefs and practices of others.  We look for the values that unite people, rather than those that divide.  The tradition of Episcopal schools is one in which we value reason as a way to true understanding.  We acknowledge that our understanding of truth may grow and change. Therefore, we all need to continue to grow and change, and we encourage our students to do just that.  Additionally, we are committed to making the world a better place through working to transform it through work in the community.  Diversity and a commitment to being a truly multicultural institution is an important community value at St. Stephen's.

We are immensely proud of our teachers, and invite you to meet them.  They are a talented and caring group of professionals who challenge children each day to be their best academic and personal selves.  We are known not only for the quality of instruction but also for the kindness that is so evident in the community.  Both are palpable when you move through the building. 

We invite you to visit us, to sense for yourself the spirit that is St. Stephen's.  It is a special place for children and families. We challenge children to achieve to their highest potential, both academically and personally, and invite parents to be active participants in the process.

Welcome to St. Stephen's

Patrick Brown

Head of School