Want to know more about The Steward School? Take a peek at the following "glossary," featuring descriptions of Steward-related programs, people, terms, and tid-bits.

Admissions Ambassadors - A team of Upper School students who give tours at special programs and presentations and help prospective students and families.

Admissions Presentation- Programs for prospective families to learn more about Steward. They are held twice a year—one in the fall and one in the spring. Current families are encouraged to tell their friends about the presentations!

Advisor- A faculty member assigned to a small group of Middle or Upper School students. The advisor’s job is to serve as a mentor to the students and a point of contact for the parents.

After School Program- This after school care program for Lower School students runs until 6:00 PM daily (except holidays and early dismissal days). Can be used daily or on an as-needed basis.

Alternate Program (Middle School)- A mini-mester program held every March before Spring Break, during which students study different topics such as The River, Business and Technology, or Famous Richmonders. Alternate Program is dedicated to a more hands-on approach to learning.

Alternate Program (Upper School)- A mini-mester program held every March before Spring Break. Ninth graders participate in an on-campus program that includes Career Day, community service, and special speakers. Tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders must serve internships with businesses or organizations in which they are interested. Travel abroad is also an option depending on the year.

Alumni Association- The association through which alumni continue the spirit and traditions of Steward while providing service to the School. They sponsor an azalea sale every spring, hold functions and social for alumni, and award scholarships and gifts to graduating seniors.

Athletic Awards Ceremony- Held at the end of May, this evening ceremony honors student athletes for their commitment to their teams. Awards are given, including Most Improved and Most Valuable Player. Parents are encouraged to attend.

Beach Day- A day held every May in the Lower School, students break the dress code and wear beach attire, and spend part of the day enjoying a variety of fun activities. Past activities have included a Moonwalk, parachute games, and eating snow cones. Parent volunteers are always needed!

Beadle Program- As part of the School’s community service requirement, each student in grades 8-12 must spend at least one day of the school year serving as a volunteer, or “beadle,” in the Front Office. Students may be asked to file, run errands, stuff envelopes, or other similar activities. The term “beadle” comes from the medieval word for a clerk in the service of the court.

Board of Trustees- The governing body of The Steward School.

Buddy Days- Every year, students in the fifth grade travel with sixth grade buddies to classes in the Middle School, and eighth graders travel with ninth grade buddies in the Upper School. This is an excellent way for students to get a feel for next year’s environment and expectations.

Center for Advancement of Learning (CAL)- Steward's resource center for tutoring, enrichment, and parent resource materials; its central location is in Dixon Hall, with satellite tutoring areas all over the campus. Charlene Wilton is the director of CAL, and she works with grades K-5 and 9-12; Toni Rennie is the contact for grades 6-8.

Class Sponsor- A faculty advisor to a particular class, grades 6-12, who helps the class organize events and service projects throughout the year.

Code of Responsibility- The code that, in short, requires all Steward students to be good citizens. The Code of Responsibility is printed in its entirety in the Student Handbook.

Cosby/Taylor Hall- The buildings where the Upper School classes meet.

Cramer Center- The Paul R. Cramer Center for the Arts is the fine arts facility of The Steward School. It features a 500-seat MainStage theatre; a BlackBox theatre; music and art classroom and rehearsal space; photography and computer lab classrooms; and the Cramer Center Gallery, among other components.

Crossroads- The point at which the arms of the Steward School equilateral cross intersect. The arms of the cross represent academics, athletics, arts, and character; at their intersection--the crossroads--our lives meet daily. Crossroads is also the name of the school magazine, published three times a year.

Department Head- The term for the head of a particular Middle and Upper School academic department (i.e., English, foreign language).

Division Head- The term for the principals of Lower, Middle, and Upper School. Debbie Hanger is the Division Head of Lower School, Mike Maruca is the Division Head of Middle School, and Butch Keller is the Division Head of Upper School.

Dixon Hall- The building where the Lower School is held.

ESL/ISP- English as a Second Language/International Student Program. Steward has a strong ESL/International Student Program, run by Elizabeth Griggs. Students from countries such as China, Russia, and Korea are able to succeed at Steward because of the cultural and language support they receive through their ESL classes.

Field Day- A fun day of athletic events for students in the Lower School. Parent volunteers are always needed!

Final Assemblies (Lower and Middle Schools)- The graduation ceremonies for fifth and eighth graders, as well as awards for various students’ accomplishments throughout the year. Parents are encouraged to attend.

Fine Arts Banquet- Held at the end of the school year, this evening banquet honors students for their contributions to Steward’s Fine Arts program through music, art, and theatre. Awards are given and parents are encouraged to attend.

Fine Arts Fair- A program put on by the Fine Arts Department every year for Steward students (grades K-8) and their friends. For a small fee, students can create many different arts and crafts under the supervision of Steward faculty members.

Grade Meetings (grades 6-12)- An opportunity for the parents of a particular class (Middle and Upper School) to get together during the year to plan events for their students. Grade meeting dates are noted in the Steward calendar.

Graduation- The final exercises for the senior class, this event is held in June in the Multi-purpose gym. Students in grades 9-11, faculty, and staff are required to attend. A reception follows.

Grandparents and Special Friends Day- A program put on during a school day in May by the Lower Schoolers and music teacher Bonnie Anderson, for the grandparents and special family friends of our K-5 students. Parents do not attend this event, but they attend the Spring Concert, which is the same program held at a different time.

Headmaster- The Head of The Steward School. The Headmaster since 2004 is Kenneth H. Seward.

Holiday Program- The festive program put on by the Lower School under the direction of music teacher Bonnie Anderson every December.

Homecoming- A day-long carnival held in October for students, families, and friends of Steward. There are games, vendors, face-painting, athletic events, and a fantastic parade put on by the students and faculty.

Honor Code- At the beginning of each year, students K-12 sign a pledge that they will not lie, cheat, or steal at any time.

Honor Council (Upper School)- A student-run organization with faculty advisors, the Honor Council holds trials for students accused of lying, cheating, or stealing. The Honor Council then recommends a punishment for guilty students, including expulsion.

Lower School- Kindergarten through fifth grade, located in Dixon Hall.

Middle School- Grades six through eight, located in the Middle School Building.

“Movin’ On Up” Night- In the Lower School, parents get the opportunity in the early spring to visit the classrooms of their child’s next grade level, meet the teachers, and find out what the next school year holds for their child. This event is for parents only.

Oratorical Program- A showcase of student oratorical talent. Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 work with Upper School Public Speaking students to practice and perfect their presentations before putting them on for a larger audience.

Parents’ Association- The Steward School’s parent organization. All parents are members. For more information, visit the Parents' Association web pages by clicking here.

Prefect- Upper School students nominated by their peers and then selected by a vote of the Upper School faculty vote to serve as tour guides, special assistants, and role models.

Program Committee- Formerly the Academic Committee, is the primary committee within the School that oversees the whole program of the Steward School. Comprised of the Head of School, Department Heads, Middle/Upper School Librarian, School Counselor, Director of Technology, Division Heads, a Lower School representative, and chaired by the Assistant Head of the School, the committee is charged with discussing all facets of School life.

Room Parents- Parent volunteers who serve in their child’s class.

Senior Breakfast- A breakfast sponsored by the Alumni Association and held every spring for the seniors and their parents.

Senior Coffees- Held several times throughout the year, seniors get a chance to have coffee and visit with faculty and administrators.

Senior Lounge- The lounge area located off the Student Commons in Cosby/Taylor Halls; for seniors only.

SpartaNet- The School's intranet which provides information on academics, athletics, arts, special events, etc. Maintained by the IT department and by individual faculty and administrators, it is available at www.spartanet.org and linked to the home page of www.stewardschool.org.

Spring Concert- The Lower School production orchestrated by Bonnie Anderson for the parents. This program is the same one put on for Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day.

Student Commons- The general gathering area of Cosby/Taylor Halls.

Stunt Talent Night- A showcase of student talent, from singing and dancing to comedy skits and gymnastics. Parents are encouraged to attend!

Summer Experience- Steward’s summer program. The Summer Experience offers camps, fine arts courses, and courses for credit such as Public Speaking and Government. The Summer Experience brochure is usually available in late February.

Theme Week- A “mini-mester” program held in the Lower School every March before Spring Break, during which students focus on a particular theme for the week in a more hands-on approach to learning. This year's theme is "Stewardship," and will include a look at the history of The Steward School as discovering ways in which we can be stewards in our own communities.

Upper School- Grades nine through twelve, located in Cosby/Taylor Halls.

Vision TwentyEleven- The Strategic Plan of The Steward School. Vision TwentyEleven looks at where we will be as an institution in the year 2011, focusing on five key initiatives: mission, best faculty, nontuition resources, diversity, and two-way communications.