The Steward School

11600 Gayton Road

Richmond, VA 23238

71 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by parent on December 10, 2024

We have moved several times over the last five years, and our three kids have attended many different schools. Of all these schools, The Steward School is, by far, the best school we have experienced. We understood Steward to have top-flight academics, facilities, and staff, and this is certainly the case. What we have since learned is that Steward exceeded our expectations in providing a positive and caring environment for our kids to develop their unique character. Steward offers an abundance of opportunities and tailored encouragement for our kids to develop their passions. The entire staff share a vested interest in the intellectual and emotional well-being of our kids, and we have instantly seen positive results in their demeanor. They are excited about school, and their energy levels are high at the end of each day. Simply put, Steward excels at providing a strong, loving environment of holistic learning and development for its students, and we cannot recommend it enough!
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2024

As new students this year, both of my children have had such a seamless transition into the Middle and Lower Schools, and I truly believe that is a testament to the inclusive, thoughtful, and nurturing environment Steward fosters.I had some initial hesitations about transitioning from public schools to a private school, but I can honestly say that The Steward School has exceeded all of my expectations. From the individual attention my children receive to the engaging, challenging academics, the vibrant arts opportunities, and the robust social-emotional support, it’s clear that the school is dedicated to developing well-rounded, confident students who feel seen, heard, and valued.The Steward School is such a positive, supportive, and enriching environment for both students and families. I am so grateful for the community we’ve become a part of, and I have complete confidence that my children are in the right place.
Submitted by parent on December 04, 2024

Steward is a fantastic private school for my two children. Steward is small enough to have a personalized learning experience with less than 12 kids in most classes but large enough to have expansive opportunities with sports, arts and college prep. They have exceeded our expectations at every step! The interview process left my 4th grader beaming with pride and with more than 5 summer outings, my 9th grader was glad to have friends on the first day. Academic deans worked with us to recommend class leveling based on transcript, standard testing and summer pre work. Teachers have been wonderful and go above and beyond for the students. As parents, we are so relieved to learn about the leadership role that the college admissions team will have in helping our kids navigate the college application process. Steward really focuses on developing the whole child and keeps parents engaged with great communication along the way. We are so thankful to be part of the Steward Spartan Family.
Submitted by other on April 29, 2024

As a parent of two sons attending The Steward School, I would like to share a bit about the nurturing environment and exceptional educational opportunities they receive. From the lower school to the middle school, Steward has truly become a second home for my children, where they not only thrive academically but also find joy and growth in their daily experiences.In the lower school, my son's enthusiasm for learning is palpable. He eagerly participates in extended day activities, cherishing the bonds he has formed with his peers and teachers. The sense of community and care that permeates the lower school environment is truly remarkable. It's heartwarming to see my son reluctant to leave at the end of our extended days, a testament to the genuine connections he has cultivated and the outstanding support he receives from the staff.Transitioning into middle school can often be daunting, but at Steward, it's an exciting journey of exploration and self-discovery. My other son has had the opportunity to explore a diverse range of programs, allowing him to uncover his talents and interests. He gets to choose his path, and even when I want to encourage a different opportunity for him, it is amazing to see him find his passions and his individuality. The school's commitment to providing a well-rounded education is evident in the breadth of offerings available and the care of the amazing middle school faculty and administration. As a result, my son's 6th-grade experience has been nothing short of wonderful, filled with opportunities for growth, challenge, and personal development. The sense of community at Steward is unparalleled. From collaborative projects in the classroom to school-wide events and initiatives, students are encouraged to support and uplift one another, fostering a culture of curiosity, inclusivity, and connection.I must disclose I also speak from personal experience, not only as a proud parent of two Spartans but also as a dedicated employee. Over my almost six years with the school, I've been consistently supported, appreciated, and motivated to develop my professional skills further, contributing meaningfully to our community. Working alongside engaging colleagues has made each day enjoyable, and I've found a healthy work-life balance that allows me to thrive. Being part of The Steward School has given me a unique perspective on what truly makes it the ideal choice for our family and, in my opinion, the top school in RVA!
Submitted by parent on April 18, 2024

The Steward School provides an excellent education. Faculty are outstanding and invest time in supporting students both in the classroom and during community events. A hallmark of Steward is small class size. There is an emphasis on writing and projects across the curriculum. I believe this is the fundamental reason why Steward graduates are so well prepared for the rigors of college.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2024

Our daughter started at The Steward School in middle school. We were connected with a very sweet “buddy family” during the summer so our daughter had a friend before starting school which was very much appreciated and helpful! Additionally, middle school director, Susan Atkinson and division assistant Karen Ashworth, were pivotal in helping her (and us) adjust during her first year. We feel the overall size of Steward is perfect and appreciate smaller class sizes. Upper school faculty and staff are fantastic. The college counseling department is very knowledgeable and supportive and makes an undoubtedly stressful time, much more manageable. There are many volunteer opportunities and social events for parents, along with lots of family social events to be connected. Steward is very proactive with regards to safety on campus. We feel the move to Steward was the absolute right decision for our daughter.
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2024

Our experience has been exceptional. The teachers are truly invested in my children’s education and their growth as learners
Submitted by parent on April 16, 2024

We truly value the support, communication and community that Steward provides. There is alway an abundance of communication and an effort to involve parents in the culture and experience. Our family feels heard and seen and has been given wonderful advice and support throughout the almost 2 years that our son has attended. We look forward to our daughter starting and many years of fun and growth with our Steward community!
Submitted by parent on April 02, 2024

We love The Steward School! Two of our three boys attend the lower school and they make sure each child gets exactly what they need. I especially appreciate the focus on social emotional skills. Their hands on curriculum keeps our boys engaged and asking for more. Each day they come home with something that amazes our entire family. We absolutely recommend it to anyone who asks and can't wait for our youngest to go through the enrollment process!
Submitted by parent on April 01, 2024

We were new to The Steward School for the 2023-2024 school year and by far, it is the smartest decision we’ve made for our son- but really, he actually made the decision! From the first step on campus you will feel the warmth & welcoming nature of the staff. I equate Steward to a big hug- even at the middle and upper school levels. We’ve found the teachers to be very happy and have the opportunity to teach exciting content in fun and unique ways. They know and understand our son and his learning strengths and weaknesses, and have kept us in the loop on all successes and challenges. The communication has been amazing. From a sports perspective- again, the communication from the Athletic Directors to the coaches has been fantastic. There’s no chaos of schedule juggling or transportation issues- they manage all of it and communicate a ton. We have access to school leadership daily if wanted, as everyone is available during drop off or pick up and easily reached via email or face to face. Can’t say enough wonderful things about Steward. It is definitely worth consideration for anyone looking into independent schools. I didn’t know my “non-loving” school child could be this happy!
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2024

Strong curriculum with many AP, Honors, and College Prep options, enabling students to challenge themselves where needed or desired and to work to abilities or interests as necessary. Excellent arts program as part of the Steward program to participate in theater, art, music, etc Wonderful teachers and administrators who show up for kids offering support at many events post school hours.
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2024

Best private school in Richmond! This school is private but represents the real world! All the children get along and include each other. The overall environment is positive and uplifting and your children can become involved in lots of different activities without feeling like they don’t belong. Everyone supports everyone. The academics go to as high a level as you like all the way to Ivy League schools if you wish.
Submitted by parent on March 27, 2024

The thing we love most about Steward is that our daughter is engaged in the classroom in a way that makes her excited to go to school everyday. The support and acceptance she feels from the school community at Steward has encouraged her to try new things and feel comfortable in her own skin. Helping students THRIVE is what Steward does best!
Submitted by parent on May 27, 2023

We are parents to three children who currently attend The Steward School. Our girls have very different personalities, academic and athletic strengths as well as areas of interest. Before they started at Steward, we anticipated enrolling them in separate schools to ensure that each of their needs would be met within the right academic environment. However, watching each of them flourish and thrive at Steward has brought us immense joy and the clear understanding that we have them enrolled in the right school for our family. The school's exceptional and unique approach centers on recognizing each child as an individual, and we can tangibly sense the personalized attention they receive on a daily basis. Our children have enthusiastically shared their love for the school's intimate classroom settings, appreciating the ample time their teachers invest in their education throughout the day. Witnessing their burgeoning self-assurance has been incredibly rewarding, and we credit the school's outstanding programs in music, art, technology, and library, among others, for broadening their horizons. The Steward School has truly excelled in nurturing their development.We cannot express enough our satisfaction with our decision to enroll our children in The Steward School. It stands as an academic gem within Richmond, Virginia, and we are privileged to be a part of this exceptional community.
Submitted by parent on May 25, 2023

I was a student at The Steward School from 1985-1990. When it came time to choose a school for our son I knew I wanted to explore Steward. The school has grown in physicality since I attended, but the feeling of family and the focus on reaching the individual student remains the same. The teachers and staff in the Lower School are supportive and really understand the developmental needs of each grade. The lower school curriculum incorporates movement, creativity and technology. The teachers want to keep an open line of communication with the parents to better support the students. The lower school interim administrators Becky Groves and Yaa Agyekum are warm, devoted and very willing to support the learning and social / emotional needs of each child. Steward is a very special school and community. We are so appreciative of the well rounded education our son is receiving from Steward.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2023

Steward has been the best fit for both our children who are as different as night and day. Having considered almost all the private, charter, and homeschool options in the greater Richmond Area, Steward stood out as the school most dedicated to maximizing the individual student's educational journey as opposed to the student having the individual school's experience. Steward certainly has a distinct culture that influences the student's experience, but its culture of kindness, creativity, and community coalesced with our overarching goals of learning, working hard, and serving others in our student's academic pursuits. Both my students had opportunities and were allowed to pursue interests and solutions that were tailored to their specific needs and goals. In this way, the school found solutions for them, and the leadership was willing to try new opportunities even when they were out of the box or something that required extra effort/resources. The teachers and staff stand out for their exuberance for teaching, caring about students successes, and commitment to participating in many of the school offerings outside of the classroom. The college counseling office is exceptional in their processes and dedication to students during the college application process. This cannot be underscored enough. A review that is only positive is unrealistic, certainly our time at Steward included things that gave us pause, but there are always pros and cons in any situation, and the reality is when our family had an occasional hiccup, Steward's leadership gladly, openly embraced our concerns and found solutions in a practical, reasonable manner. Steward, as an investment in our children, is one we would make again and again. We are grateful that our children will always be able to consider Steward home.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2023

From my first interaction with admissions, I knew Steward was a community we wanted to be a part of. Everyone took the time to not only see if we were a fit for Steward, but also if Steward was a fit for us. From the moment I drop off my child at carpool where she is always greeted by name and with a friendly smile (and sometimes even bubbles and dancing!) to the moment I pick her up where she excitedly tells me about all the wonderful opportunities she was given that day, I know my child’s whole self – emotional, physical, and intellectual – is in excellent hands. Some of our favorite aspects (and it’s hard to pick just a few) are: the gardens at the Bryan lab where students can grow, care for, and harvest vegetables and explore nature; all the social events where the entire community comes together; the very visible and engaged presence of the Head of School at carpools, sporting events, social events, and the like; the ample opportunities for students of all grades to perform on stage and enhance confidence and communication skills; the senior buddy program where Seniors and JK/K students create an incredible bond (and all the different opportunities Steward brings together various grades such as Statistics students working with the JK on an on-going Statistics project); and finally, the sense of belonging and the feeling that my child is seen for who she is and who she can become. Students are challenged academically to excel while in an environment they can be supported and take classroom learning far beyond the walls of Steward through community projects and ample enrichment opportunities. I could absolutely go on and on about Steward, but I encourage you to come take a tour and see for yourself what makes this Spartan community so incredibly special.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2023

Our son started in 2nd grade this year and our daughter will start in JK next fall. It has been an amazing experience since the very first interaction with the excellent admissions team through to almost being done with the first year. The teachers have been incredible. Our son has had more academic and social growth this year than we thought was possible. They truly "met him where he is" by helping him in areas he struggles and challenging and stimulating him in areas of strength. The facilities are top notch. The admin is involved, accessible and friendly. The student and parent community is welcoming. There are fun, well planned events throughout the year. Can't say enough. Highly recommend!!
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2023

I can't recommend Steward enough! It is an education community like no other in that it is more than a school. Steward has the unique ability to really make it feel like home! From the faculty that truly enjoys what they do--seen both in the ways the care for and respect their students, but also in how the engage, challenge and support them--- to the many campus offerings through sports, theater, clubs and more--- to the families that attend that not only want what's best for their children, but also rally around and support everyone's children--you genuinely feel a great sense of care, pride and love for the school and its community! We fell in love with it from the minute our children set foot on campus and that love has only grown deeper with each passing year! We are confident that Steward will not only care for and challenge our children while they attend the school, but also set them up for a successful future where they will continue to take the values and tools learned here and thrive! So grateful for Steward--its faculty and families! Go Spartans!
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2023

We have three children at the Steward School (middle school and lower school). We have been here for two years, and are beyond thrilled with our experiences. Outside of being amazing educators, the teachers have been so in touch with the emotional needs of the students. They truly get to know, and care about, our children. Our children have learned so much, and have had so many amazing experiences, and I cannot recommend The Steward School enough.