St. Stephen's School, Rome

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School Facilities Gallery

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• Athletics facilities
• Arts facilities
• Campus
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Gallery showcasing specific locations and facilities found at St. Stephen's School, Rome.

• Curriculum Liberal Arts, International Baccalaureate
  [Show definition of Curriculum]

  Central to your child's school experience is the underlying curriculum taught in the classroom. "Curriculum" refers to both what is taught and how it's taught. When considering the different curricula outlined in the next few pages, keep in mind that few schools fall neatly into one category or another. Most schools' curricula comprise a blend of best practices drawn from multiple curriculum types. Having said that, most schools do have a general overall curriculum type. These are identified for each school on OurKids.net.

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  Curriculum approach at SSS Rome: Liberal Arts, International Baccalaureate

  SSS Rome has a Liberal Arts, International Baccalaureate approach to Curriculum (as opposed to Traditional, Progressive, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf approach).

  [Show: About Liberal Arts, International Baccalaureate?]

  Liberal Arts curricula share with traditional programs their emphasis on core knowledge-acquisition, but tend to borrow more best practices from the progressive approach. A Liberal Arts program might still feature group work and projects, for example, contrary to the more singular emphasis on tests and essays at a Traditional program.

  Curriculum at schools on OurKids.net

    Liberal arts - 14%
    Traditional - 40%
    Progressive - 33%
    Montessori - 11%
    Reggio Emilia - 1%
    Waldorf - 1%
  

  SSS Rome has a International Baccalaureate approach to secondary curriculum.

  Some private schools offer International Baccalaureate (IB) programming. The "Diploma Programme" is offered to students in the final two years of high school, while the "Primary Years Programme" (ages 3 to 12) and "Middle Years Programme" (ages 11 to 16) serve as preparation for the diploma program.

  What SSS Rome says: St. Stephen’s provides a well-rounded rigorous international academic program modeled on the American independent school tradition of comprehensive college and university preparation in six academic areas: English, Foreign and Classical Language, History, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics, and Arts. Students in Grades 11 and 12 also prepare for the rigorous International Baccalaureate Diploma.

  International Baccalaureate offered:

  Program	offered
  Primary Years
  Middle Years
  Diploma program
  Career-related program

  Approach:

  Focus
  Academic

  Pedagogies and subject courses:

  • Mathematics Equal Balance

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    Mathematics approach at SSS Rome: Equal Balance

    SSS Rome has an Equal Balance approach to Mathematics (as opposed to Traditional Math , Discovery Math approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    These math programs feature an equal balance of “Traditional” and “Discovery” methods.

    Mathematics at schools on OurKids.net

      Equal balance - 69%
      Traditional math - 25%
      Discovery math - 6%
    

    What SSS Rome says: Through inquiry-based instruction and integrated technology, the mathematics classes at St. Stephen's challenge students to reach their full potential while engaging them in a demanding program of study. We train students to think logically and critically and to use the language of mathematics with precision both orally and in writing. Students appreciate mathematics's important role in modern society by studying algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, probability, and calculus. To further support and challenge their understanding, we also utilize a range of resources, including peer tutoring, math laboratory, and math competition activities.

    Textbooks and supplementary materials: This information is not currently available.

    Calculator policy: This information is not currently available.

  • Science Equal Balance

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    Science approach at SSS Rome: Equal Balance

    SSS Rome has an Equal Balance approach to Science (as opposed to Expository , Inquiry approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    Science programs that balance expository and inquiry learning equally will likely have an equal blend of tests and experiments; direct, textbook-based instruction and student-centred projects.

    Science at schools on OurKids.net

      Equal balance - 68%
      Expository - 6%
      Inquiry - 26%
    

    Teaching approach: The St. Stephen’s Science department provides our students with a solid foundation in all areas of science, offering courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Systems and Societies. Students are prepared for a world that is forever changing and advancing in the areas of medicine, technology, and biochemical engineering. The science curriculum offers students a variety of opportunities to engage with the world around them - in the classroom, in the laboratory, and through fieldwork. 

    Treatment of evolution:

    Subject	offered
    Evolution as consensus theory
    Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
    Evolution is not taught

    Topics covered in curriculum:

    Subject	offered
    Biology
    Chemistry
    Ecology
    Geology
    Meteorology
    Physics
    Physiology
    Zoology

  • Literature Equal Balance

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    Literature approach at SSS Rome: Equal Balance

    SSS Rome has an Equal Balance approach to Literature (as opposed to Traditional , Social Justice approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.

    Literature at schools on OurKids.net

      Equal balance - 75%
      Traditional - 21%
      Social justice - 4%
    

    What SSS Rome says: This information is not currently available.

    Program covers:

    Subject	offered
    Canadian lit
    American lit
    European (continental) lit
    World (non-Western) lit
    English lit
    Ancient lit

  • Humanities and Social Sciences Equal Balance

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    Humanities and Social Sciences approach at SSS Rome: Equal Balance

    SSS Rome has an Equal Balance approach to Humanities and Social Sciences (as opposed to Perennialism , Pragmatism approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.

    Humanities and Social Sciences at schools on OurKids.net

      Equal balance - 81%
      Perennialism - 8%
      Pragmatism - 11%
    

    What SSS Rome says: This information is not currently available.

  • Foreign Languages Equal Balance

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    Foreign Languages approach at SSS Rome: Equal Balance

    SSS Rome has an Equal Balance approach to Foreign Languages (as opposed to Audio-Lingual , Communicative approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    These programs feature an equal blend of the audio-lingual and communicative styles of language instruction.

    Foreign Languages at schools on OurKids.net

      Equal balance - 64%
      Audio-lingual - 3%
      Communicative - 33%
    

    What SSS Rome says: Modern Languages: -Italian -French -Spanish -Mandarin Classical Languages: -Ancient Greek -Arabic -Latin

    Language instruction offered in:

    Subject	offered
    Chinese-Cantonese
    Chinese-Mandarin
    French
    German
    Greek
    Italian
    Japanese
    Hebrew
    Latin
    Russian
    Spanish
    ESL

  • Fine Arts Equal Balance

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    Fine Arts approach at SSS Rome: Equal Balance

    SSS Rome has an Equal Balance approach to Fine Arts (as opposed to Receptive , Creative approach).

    [Show: About Equal Balance?]

    These programs have an equal emphasis on receptive and creative learning.

    Fine Arts at schools on OurKids.net

      Equal balance - 65%
      Receptive - 2%
      Creative - 33%
    

    Program offers:

    Subject	offered
    Acting
    Dance
    Drama/Theatre
    Graphic Design
    Music
    Visual Arts

    Visual studio philosophy:

    Expressive
    Disciplined

    What SSS Rome says: With Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and contemporary Rome omnipresent, Arts classes at St. Stephen’s stimulate and nurture the student’s aesthetic sense. Placing contemporary artistic trends in a long-term historical, social, and aesthetic perspective comes naturally to students whose everyday experience, though constantly connected to the present-day world of computers and the internet, nevertheless contains persistent visible reminders of more than 2000 years of artistic accomplishment - of the attention humanity has paid to form and detail in its eternal quest to express the contemporary spirit. 

  • Computers and Technology Medium integration

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    Computers and Technology approach at SSS Rome: Medium integration

    SSS Rome has a Medium integration approach to Computers and Technology (as opposed to Light integration , Heavy integration approach).

    [Show: About Medium integration?]

    Effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy through the curriculum. However, this is not a dominant focus.

    Computers and Technology at schools on OurKids.net

      Medium integration - 52%
      Light integration - 18%
      Heavy integration - 30%
    

    What SSS Rome says: Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, 3-D Design and Mixed Realities, Computer Science - Programming

    Program covers:

    Subject	offered
    Computer science
    Robotics
    Web design

  • Physical Education

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    What SSS Rome says: Students in Grades 9 and 10 have Physical and Health Education as part of their weekly schedule. Students in all Grades participate in after-school sports and athletic activities.

  • IB Diploma courses

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    Group 1 (Language A)

    English Literature SL

    English Literature HL

    French Literature SL

    French Literature HL

    Literature and Performance SL

    Group 2 (Language B)

    French SL

    French HL

    Spanish SL

    Spanish HL

    German SL

    German HL

    Italian SL

    Italian HL

    Russian SL

    Russian HL

    Group 3 (Individuals and Societies)

    Business and Management SL

    Business and Management HL

    Economics SL

    Economics HL

    History SL

    History HL

    Group 4 (Experimental Sciences)

    Chemistry SL

    Chemistry HL

    Biology SL

    Biology HL

    Physics SL

    Physics HL

    Environmental Systems SL

    Group 5 (Mathematics)

    Mathematical Studies SL

    Mathematics SL

    Mathematics HL

    Group 6 (The Arts)

    Music SL

    Music HL

    Visual Arts SL

    Visual Arts HL
  • Advanced Placement courses

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    This information is not currently available.
  • Sex and health education

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    What SSS Rome says: This information is not currently available.

  
  

  Jump to:

  • Mathematics

  • Science

  • Literature

  • Humanities and Social Sciences

  • Foreign Languages

  • Fine Arts

  • Computers and Technology

  • Physical Education

  • IB Diploma courses

  • Advanced Placement courses

  • Sex and health education
• Curriculum Pace Standard-enriched
  [Show definition of Curriculum Pace]

  This refers to the rate at which students move through the curriculum (e.g., topics, textbook material, skills, etc.). Curriculum pace is often defined in comparison to provincial standards.

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  Curriculum Pace approach at SSS Rome: Standard-enriched

  SSS Rome has a Standard-enriched approach to Curriculum Pace (as opposed to Accelerated, Student-paced approach).

  [Show: About Standard-enriched?]

  Broadly-speaking, the main curriculum -- like that of most schools -- paces the provincially-outlined one. This pace is steady and set by the teachers and school. The curriculum might still be enriched in various ways: covering topics more in-depth and with more vigor than the provincial one, or covering a broader selection of topics.

  Curriculum Pace at schools on OurKids.net

    Standard-enriched - 58%
    Accelerated - 17%
    Student-paced - 25%
  

  What SSS Rome says: This information is not currently available.

  Flexible pacing style

  Flexible pacing style	offered
  Subject-streaming (tracking)
  Multi-age classrooms as standard
  Ability-grouping (in-class) as common
  Frequent use of cyber-learning (at-their-own-pace)
  Regular guided independent study opportunities
  Differentiated assessment

  What SSS Rome says about flexible pacing: This information is not currently available.

• Academic Culture Rigorous
  [Show definition of Academic Culture]

  Through the collective mindset of teachers, administrators, students, and parents, each school develops and maintains its own academic culture. This generally relates to the norms and expectations created around academic performance. Many parents look to private schools because they want a specific type of culture. Some want a rigorous environment that will elevate their child to new heights. Others want a nurturing environment that will help their child develop a passion for learning.

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  Academic Culture approach at SSS Rome: Rigorous

  SSS Rome has a Rigorous approach to Academic Culture (as opposed to Supportive approach).

  [Show: About Rigorous?]

  A school with a “rigorous” academic culture places a high value on academic performance, and expects their students to do the same. This does not mean the school is uncaring, unsupportive, or non-responsive -- far from it. A school can have a rigorous academic culture and still provide excellent individual support. It does mean, however, the school places a particular emphasis on performance -- seeking the best students and challenging them to the fullest extent -- relative to a normal baseline. High expectations and standards – and a challenging yet rewarding curriculum – are the common themes here. Keep in mind this classification is more relevant for the older grades: few Kindergarten classrooms, for example, would be called “rigorous”.

  Academic Culture at schools on OurKids.net

    Rigorous - 49%
    Supportive - 51%
  

  What SSS Rome says about their academic culture: The academic challenges and rigor of St. Stephen’s produce an environment that students find highly stimulating and rewarding. With an emphasis on the best elements of American and European education traditions, we are the only school in the center of Rome to offer both the International Baccalaureate and the American high school diploma.

• Developmental priorities Balanced
  [Show definition of Developmental priorities]

  Schools have specific goals regarding how they want their educate and develop their students. This is part of a school's overall philosophy or vision, which is contained in its mission statement. While they tend have several developmental aims, schools tend to priortize certain aims, such as intellectual, social, spiritual, emotional, or physical development.

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  Primary Developmental Priority: Balanced

  Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation.

  Secondary Developmental Priority: Intellectual

  The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."

  What SSS Rome says: This information is not currently available.

• Special needs support Indirect Support
  [Show definition of Special needs support]

  Schools offer a wide range of approaches and services to support students with special needs. This may include individualized learning, one-on-one support, small classes, resource rooms, and learning aids. These supports may be provided in a number of different environments such as a dedicated special needs school or class, an integrated class, a withdrawal class, or a regular class with resource support or in-class adaptations.

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  SSS Rome offers Indirect Support

  Students remain in a regular classroom for the whole day; the teacher receives special training in accommodating special needs and/or learning disabled students.

  Academic Support:

  Subject Ttype	offered
  Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation
  Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties

  Mild but clinically diagnosed ADHD:

  Subject Ttype	offered
  Accommodations
  Modifications
  Extra support

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  A - Forms of Support

  Accommodation:

  Modification:

  Remediation:

  B - Environments

  Indirect Support:

  Resource Assistance:

  Withdrawal Assistance:

  Partial Integration:

  Full-Time Class:

  
  

  Special NeedNeed

  Forms of SupportA

  EnvironmentsB

  ADHD

  • Learning disabilities
    Dyslexia (Language-Based Learning Disability)

    This is a learning disability that can limit a child's ability to read and learn. It can have a variety of traits. A few of the main ones are impaired phonological awareness and decoding, problems with orthographic coding, and auditory short-term memory impairment.

    Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

    This is a sound differentiation disorder involving problems with reading, comprehension, and language.

    Dyscalculia

    This is a kind of specific learning disability in math. Kids with this math disorder have problems with calculation. They may also have problems with math-related concepts such as time and money.

    Dysgraphia

    This is a kind of specific learning disability in writing. It involves problems with handwriting, spelling, and organizing ideas.

    Language Processing Disorder

    This is characterized by having extreme difficulty understanding what is heard and expressing what one wants to say. These disorders affect the area of the brain that controls language processing.

    Nonverbal Learning Disorders (NLD)

    These involve difficulties interpreting non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions and body language. They're usually characterized by a significant discrepancy between higher verbal skills and weaker motor, visual-spatial, and social skills.

    Visual Perceptual/Visual Motor Deficit

    A characteristic seen in people with learning disabilities such as Dysgraphia or Non-verbal LD. It can result in missing subtle differences in shapes or printed letters, losing place frequently, struggles with cutting, holding pencil too tightly, or poor eye/hand coordination.
  • Developmental
    Autism

    Refers to a range of conditions that involve challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, and speech and nonverbal communication. They also involve unique strengths and differences. For instance, there are persons with both low- and high-functioning autism (some claim the latter is identical to Asperger's syndrome).

    Asperger's Syndrome

    On the autism spectrum, Asperger's is considered quite mild in terms of symptoms. While traits can vary widely, many kids with Asperger's struggle with social skills. They also sometimes fixate on certain subjects and engage in repetitive behaviour.

    Down syndrome

    his is associated with impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth, and a particular set of facial characteristics.

    Intellectual disability

    This is a condition characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning (e.g., reasoning, learning, and problem solving). Intellectual disabilities are also known as general learning disabilities (and used to be referred to as a kind of mental retardation).

    Williams syndrome

    This is a rare genetic disorder present at birth. It is characterized by intellectual disabilities or learning problems, unique facial features, and cardiovascular problems.

    Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

    Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy. These may include growth deficits, facial anomalies, and damage to the central nervous system, which can lead to cognitive, behavioural, and other problems.
  • Behavioral and Emotional
    Troubled behaviour / troubled teens

    roubled teens tend to have problems that are intense, persistent, and can lead to quite unpredictable behaviour. This can lead to behavioural and emotional issues, such as drug and alcohol abuse, criminal behaviour, eating disorders, depression, and anxiety.

    Clinical Depression

    This is a mental health disorder also called "major depression." It involves persistent feelings of sadness, loss, and anger. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms are usually severe enough to cause noticeable problems in relationships with others or in daily activities, such as school, work, or one's social life.

    Clinical anxiety

    This is a mood disorder involving intense, relentless feelings of distress and fear. They can also have excessive and persistent worry about everyday situations, and repeated episodes of intense anxiety or terror.

    Suicidal thoughts

    This involves persistent thoughts about ending one's life.

    Drug and alcohol abuse

    This involves the excessive use of drug and/or alcohol, which interferes with daily functioning.

    Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

    This is a disruptive behavioural disorder which normally involves angry outbursts, often directed at people of authority. This behaviour must last continuously for six months or more and significantly interfere with daily functioning.
  • Physical
    Multiple sclerosis

    This is a condition of the central nervous system. It affects the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. Symptoms can include fatigue, loss of motor control, memory loss, depression, and cognitive difficulties.

    Cerebral palsy

    his refers to a group of permanent movement disorders that appear in early childhood. CP is caused by abnormal development or damage to the parts of the brain that control movement, balance, and posture.

    Muscular dystrophy

    Muscular dystrophy is a neuromuscular disorder which weakens the body's muscles. Causes, symptoms, age of onset, and prognosis vary between individuals.

    Spina Bifida

    This is a condition present at birth due to the incomplete formation of the spine and spinal cord. It can lead to a number of physical challenges, including paralysis or weakness in the legs, bowel and bladder incontinence, hydrocephalus (too much fluid in the brain), and deformities of the spine.

    Dyspraxia (Developmental Coordination Disorder)

    This is a Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Also known as "sensory integration disorder," it affects fine and/or gross motor coordination in children and adults. It may also affect speech.

    Blindness

    Visual impairment is a decreased ability or inability to see that can't be fixed in usual ways, such as with glasses. Some people are completely blind, while others have what's called "legal blindness."

    Deafness

    Hearing impairment, also known as "hearing loss," is a partial or total inability to hear. The degree of hearing impairment varies between people. It can range from complete hearing loss (or deafness) to partial hearing loss (meaning the ears can pick up some sounds).

    Cystic Fibrosis

    Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is an inherited genetic condition, which affects the body's respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. It affects young children and adults.

    Multiple physical

    Accommodating a wide range of physical conditions and disabilities.

  Read our guide to special needs schools and special education

• Gifted learner support In-class adaptations
  [Show definition of Gifted learner support]

  Schools support students with gifted or advanced learning abilities in a several ways. Whether they offer a full-time gifted program or part-time support, they normally provide some form of accelerated learning (delivering content at a faster pace) or enrichment (covering content more broadly or deeply). Many schools also offer a wide range of in-class adaptations to support advanced learners, such as guided independent studies, project-based learning, and career exploration.

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  Curriculum delivery: Enrichment (The main focus is on enrichment. This means that while students may work at a marginally quicker pace than public school peers, the primary aim is to study subject in broader and deeper ways.)

  In-class adaptations:

  Program	offered
  Custom subject enrichment (special arrangement)
  Custom curriculum compacting (special arrangement)
  Guided independent study (custom gifted arrangement)
  Cyber-learning opportunities (custom gifted arrangement)
  Formalized peer coaching opportunities (specifically for gifted learners to coach others)
  Custom subject acceleration (special arrangement)
  Career exploration (custom gifted arrangement)
  Project-based learning (custom gifted arrangement)
  Mentorships (custom gifted arrangement)

  What SSS Rome says: This information is not currently available.

• Language English
  SSS Rome offers English as the primary language of instruction.

  Language of enrollment include: English
• Homework Policy
  [Show definition of Homework Policy]

  Homework is work that's assigned to students for completion outside of regular class time. There's a long-standing debate over homework. Should homework be assigned to school-age children? If so, in what grades? And how much homework should be assigned? In selecting the right school for your child, it's important to look closely at a school's homework policy.

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  In grade Gr. 12, SSS Rome students perform an average of >2 hours of homework per night.

  Nightly Homework

  	9	10	11	12
  SSS Rome	90 mins	90 mins	120 mins	160 mins
  Site Average	69 mins	81 mins	98 mins	107 mins

  What SSS Rome says about their flipped classroom policy: This information is not currently available.

• Report Card Policy
  [Show definition of Report Card Policy]

  While all schools measure individual progress and achievement in students, they have different ways of doing this. For instance, many traditional schools gauge progress through report cards, which give students lettered or numbered grades. Other schools, meanwhile, measure progress in other ways, either in addition to or instead of giving grades. For instance, they may offer prose-based feedback (i.e, comments), academic achievement reporting, habits and behaviour reporting, and parent-teacher meetings. In choosing the right school for your child, take a close look at its policy for measuring the individual progress of students.

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  How assessments are delivered across the grades:

  Lettered or numbered grades	Gr. 9 to Gr. 12
  Parent-teacher meetings	Gr. 9 to Gr. 12

Nestling at the foot of the Aventine, the most exclusive of Rome’s seven hills, and a stone’s throw from the city’s great imperial sites, our international non-denominational high school for boarding and day students has built its academic program and reputation on the classical heritage of our host country, Italy, and the rigor of two prestigious educational models: the American, independent college-preparatory curriculum, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

Mens Voluntas Gratia

Our students come from all over the world to pursue their high school education in an atmosphere of scholarly endeavor, creative exploration and multicultural exchange. Our motto articulates the dedication to academic excellence shared by students and faculty alike:

• Mens (mind): the ability to think critically, creatively and scientifically, coupled with a good dose of natural curiosity;
• Voluntas (will): the motivation to succeed and the potential to excel academically;
• Gratia (influence): interpreted as personal and social integrity, cooperation and concern for others and commitment to community, both local and global.

At 275 students we are small, forty boarders constitute our ‘nuclear’ family, the experiential dimension of our curriculum, which includes an extensive trip program, confers a ‘hands on’ feel to our academics and our location, in the heart of the Eternal City and at the crossroads of Europe, provides a rich cultural context in which to learn and grow.

The faculty at St. Stephen’s are scholars, artists, writers and scientists who are passionate about their subjects and illuminate the minds and lives of the students they teach, each day and every year.

We look forward to welcoming new students who wish to join us; we would love to hear from you again if you already belong to our global family. Meanwhile, from inside the walls of our cloistered campus, we invite you to tour our site, virtually, or in person, whenever you wish.