St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School Blog

Did you know that for the past 25 years, our Middle School students embark on exciting three-day adventures during the week before spring break for the much beloved annual mini-courses? Students choose from a variety of fun, focused, and in-depth courses that combine hands-on field trips and classroom discussions. Courses give students the opportunity to delve deep and learn about their topic in a unique, unforgettable way.

Each year, the mini-courses evolve to fit current trends and students' interests. Our teachers offer something for everyone, reflecting their own skills and interests in art, technology, global cultures, music, science, the outdoors, sustainability, service learning, and more. See what's in store for 2019 MS mini-courses.

"Today, my life was changed. As we walked into camp, the kids ran to us as we got off the bus with “love you's” and “hi.” It was humbling to see each of them share their food, water, love, and endless kindness. I never thought I could go to a place and not be homesick, but Haiti has changed my outlook on life."
—JASMINE VARGAS '19
More reflections on Haiti.

At St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School, we design service learning opportunities to change student perspectives and empower students to pursue work for the common good. The travel-based service learning opportunities we provide give students the ability to apply their knowledge to complex projects so that they can gain a greater understanding of the role and reward of a life of service. Through collaboration with communities around the world, many of which have bloomed into ongoing partnerships, we strive to help our students take meaningful action that improves the quality of life for all. Additionally, these rich global service learning opportunities may comprise the majority of a student's service project, a requirement for graduation. Up to 40 service project hours may be fulfilled through a global or national service through the school.

Read about the transformational global service learning experiences St. Stephen and St. Agnes students are having as told by them.

Making the jump from the Lower School to the Middle School as easy as possible is a priority in our community. Since 2016, every fifth and sixth grade Saints class has met on the Middle School campus to participate in a service project that gives back to our local community and strengthens the bonds between our campuses.

On Monday, the tradition continued. Students reprised the 2016 project of hand-designing more than 150 placemats for distribution to area seniors served by Meals on Wheels.

Doesn't it feel great when other people recognize and validate what we know to be true? As a parent and school photographer with the honor of seeing our amazing teachers in action frequently, I know with certainty St. Stephen's and St. Agnes has award-winning teachers. So when two of our teachers are recognized as such, I am ecstatic to share the news!