St. Stephen's Episcopal School Houston

St. Stephen's is a hidden gem within the sea of learning environments in Houston. It is holistic, child-centered, and eager in its growth goals. Always learning, the teachers are phenomenal. They will soon feel like family. Children are deeply loved here, and they thrive as a result. The education is rooted in Episcopalian values (one being - all are welcome), while living within an unwavering commitment to Montessori pedagogy. On a spiritual level, all 3 of our children are developing a strong sense of empathy, inclusivity, tolerance, and loving-kindness. On an academic level, all 3 of our children are challenged appropriately in an environment that encourages curiosity and fosters a love for learning. St. Stephen's is a one-of-a-kind school, truly a place that all children deserve.

This is the second year my kids have attended, and it keeps getting better. The teachers are the heart of the school. They inspire their students to want to know more about the world, and how to organize their day, their space, and their ways of representing their research to make the biggest and most efficient impact. I cannot say enough good things about this school and how much my family has benefitted from attending.

We are blessed to be members of the St. Stephen's community. We have two children who attend, and both are thriving. It's so nice when kids enjoy going to school! We are big believers in the Montessori method of teaching, and St. Stephen's is one of only two schools in Houston accredited by the American Montessori Society. Young kids begin their learning in hands-on, concrete ways - ways that match their maturity/development level. As they get older, they begin to work more in the abstract, and by then, the fundamentals are so ingrained that they come up to speed very quickly. The St. Stephen's curriculum sets students up for academic success in high school and beyond. Kids from St. Stephen's end up attending the best high schools in Houston, and most have their choice of schools. My children's teachers are (and have been since we've been at the school) attentive, caring, and available to us should we need to discuss something with them. The culture at the school is inclusive, tolerant/non-judgemental, and nurturing; St. Stephen's takes "love thy neighbor" to heart, and it shows. At St. Stephen's, our kids have the space to learn about themselves, others, and the world around them at their own natural pace, in their natural ways. The STEM/STEAM program is extremely solid. My daughter used amateur radio to talk to an astronaut aboard the International Space Station - a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is certainly not something you find at every school in town.

An outstanding school that values inclusion, parent involvement, developing lifelong learners, and providing meaningful opportunities for students to engage with the community. Our son is excited to go to school every day and that creates positivity for all of us. He enjoys creating his work plan and being able to advance his learning at his own pace. He's been with St. Stephens for seven years and we appreciate that the school is constantly striving for excellence. We are confident he'll be academically and socially prepared for high school and beyond.

We are so glad to have found St. Stephen's for our son - it's been a great fit and a lovely community. We started our son in the Primary program (equivalent to PK3-K) and right away we knew that the Montessori method was an ideal learning environment for him. He was able to continue and follow his interests in different areas but also experience so much about the world around him with the freedom to choose. His teachers have been excellent at guiding the learning process and discovery. Lower Elementary (equivalent to grades 1-3) allows the students so much more independence and they start to learn about managing their time to accomplish their work plan, adding in additional extension courses like the da Vinci lab where they have even more hands-on STEAM learning experiences opened up the world of electronics and building for the students. Now that our son is in Upper Elementary and looking forward to the Middle Years program he's expanding his interests to things like filmmaking, researching ancient civilizations, robotics, botany, and learning how small businesses are run. The community feels and small class size allow the teachers to get to know each child and their learning style to help them find their path to learning all they can about what sparks their interest. Simple things like the freedom to move around the classroom and work on your weekly work plan in the order that suits you best allow students to learn time management and work how they work best throughout the day.

St. Stephen's has been one of the best decisions my family has made. We started our daughter in their orientation program during COVID. I researched and visited almost all of the private schools in Houston. However, when I went to St. Stephen's I knew it was the right place for us. It is one of the most diverse private schools in the area. We have also found that the diversity and differences of all the students are celebrated. The teachers and entire school staff get to know your child and are invested in each child reaching their potential. Our daughter is currently in primary where she has had the same teacher for three years and is in a mixed-age class from 3-5 years old. Having the same teacher during these formative years has been essential and has allowed her teacher to partner with us in our daughter's growth. Our daughter has flourished and is excelling in all areas. In addition to academics, the school has a strong foundation in God. The children attend chapel and have an applicable understanding of Christ.

St. Stephens has been wonderful for our daughter in the first 2 years. We were referred to SSESH during the pandemic and after a visit, my wife decided to make the while I was on the fence. After two years my daughter is thriving in the school and it's clear that now that St. Stephens was the right move.RE: COVID. The administration handled the pandemic mess brilliantly with just the right amount of communication and practical steps to keep the children and family safe and in school which was a challenge for the previous school.RE: Education. The Montessori program makes everything a learning experience and allows the children to grow at their own pace. This is working well for my daughter so far. I love when I see my daughter teaching us at home what she is learning. Beyond the schooling, the St. Stephen's community is very diverse and encourages my daughter to be herself in every aspect from how she wears her hair to how she dresses. Lastly, the community is very close and caring and this transfers to the children loving and caring for themselves and others. St. Stephens is home for us and we do not plan to go anywhere for a while.

St. Stephens has been wonderful for our daughter in the first 2 years. We were referred to SSESH during the pandemic and after a visit, my wife decided to make the while I was on the fence. After two years my daughter is thriving in the school and it's clear that now that St. Stephens was the right move.RE: COVID. The administration handled the pandemic mess brilliantly with just the right amount of communication and practical steps to keep the children and family safe and in school which was a challenge for the previous school.RE: Education. The Montessori program makes everything a learning experience and allows the children to grow at their own pace. This is working well for my daughter so far. I love when I see my daughter teaching us at home what she is learning. Beyond the schooling, the St. Stephen's community is very diverse and encourages my daughter to be herself in every aspect from how she wears her hair to how she dresses. Lastly, the community is very close and caring and this transfers to the children loving and caring for themselves and others. St. Stephens is home for us and we do not plan to go anywhere for a while.

We are so happy at St. Stephen's Episcopal School. We moved to SSESH because our third grade daughter was constantly stressed by homework and exams at her previous school. The Montessori philosophy is perfect for her, and most children, I believe. She loves learning again and is flourishing. The amount of homework for my now 5th grader is less than 20 minutes per night and she usually gets it done during one of their built in free work periods. She has art, music, and Spanish twice a week and drama and Da Vince lab once a week. The Fine Arts Program at SSESH is outstanding and is helping both of my children blossom into happier and more creative and confident individuals. I love that in Montessori kids can work at their own pace and move about the classroom. There are many students that can work well above their grade level. The teachers at SSESH are the best we have ever had. They are so caring and engaged and my kids absolutely adore them. My kids already know the teachers in the advanced grade levels and this creates excitement for the future. Finally, my favorite aspect of the school is its culture. The school is "wildly creative, compassionate, and accepting." Not only are my children getting a fantastic education here, they are also becoming amazing human beings!

I am so happy that we found St. Stephen's. Every day my children (1st grade and pre-k) come home excited about what they learned at school. The academics are superb. The students are taught broad concepts and problem solving rather than memorizing facts for a test. The lower school provides an excellent Montessori program that has allowed my children to thrive. We are very excited for the new International Middle Years Curriculum and the IB program in the High School. St. Stephen's is truly diverse and very international. Each child is proud of what makes him or her unique and interested in the differences in each other. The community is warm and open. In addition to excellent academics, St. Stephen's is committed to a vibrant fine arts, music and drama program.

We could not be happier with St. Stephens. My son is in Primary and has been attending St. Stephens for a year. I am amazed everyday by the amount he has learned in such a short time. He has grown academically and socially. I love the diversity and the culture of the school. The parents and teachers are very down to earth in nature. I am also very impressed by the Spanish, PE, and Music curriculum as well. My son has already participated in a play and a musical program. We highly recommend St. Stephens for those considering Montessori.