Academics

Technology

1:1 access for every student

Technology resources are a major component of our forward-thinking school. For more than ten years, Steward’s 1:1 program has ensured students have access to technology to enhance their education experience. In grades JK-8, iPads loaded with apps are provided to every student, and Upper School students are responsible for bringing their own devices every day. The heart of our mission is to prepare our students for college and for life; supporting technology in the classroom helps set the foundation for using devices confidently and wisely.

Our 1:1 program enhances student engagement, helps students develop research skills, and provides a variety of choices for student assessment. With proper use, technology can enhance and enrich the learning experience.

Device Usage and Digital Citizenship

Daily learning includes the use of laptops, tablets, and/or other devices, which help students prepare for an increasingly tech-driven world. Steward’s policies on device usage and digital citizenship help Spartans of all ages use technology responsibly. In addition, safety in all aspects of student life is our priority, and that includes protecting student data and privacy.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education

At Steward, faculty can use AI tools to support and enhance student learning. Since 2024, faculty and staff have had the opportunity to participate in a new program called SAIL (Steward AI Leaders Program) to supplement teaching, foster creativity, and engage students. The program aims to boost learning with the help of AI tools. SAIL-certified faculty guide students in understanding how AI can be thoughtfully incorporated into the school experience.

The Digital Classroom

Learning management systems (LMS) such as Google Classroom and Blackbaud K12 are used in many of our classrooms. Students have access to online resources and digital textbooks, and blended learning models combine in-person and online instruction.

Technology in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education

To enhance STEM learning, students of all ages learn coding; Lower School students’ engineering lessons and projects are bolstered through the use of LEGO Spike, a robotics kit designed to teach STEM concepts through hands-on learning and coding. Middle and Upper Schoolers learn about robotics and other technology in science and math classes. Steward frequently partners with local tech companies and STEM organizations to support STEM learning. In addition, students of all ages have the opportunity to engage in a summer coding camp, and Middle and Upper School students can join Steward’s Robotics Club.

Smart Classrooms

Steward classrooms include interactive flat panels (smartboards) that allow multiple users to write or draw on the screen simultaneously with their fingers or with styluses. Smartboards add an extra dimension to learning and instruction. The panels use myViewBoard software, a digital whiteboarding solution that increases interactivity. Audio, video, and photos added to the board can be annotated, adding an extra dimension to learning and instruction.

Support and Training
Professional development is available throughout the year to faculty and staff, including programs focused on technology integration in the classroom. As the school looks ahead, Steward plans to continue to incorporate emerging technologies into its curriculum.

Technology at Steward

Technology at Steward is never the point. Learning is.

For more than a decade, every student has learned with technology at their fingertips. With technology constantly evolving, it's important what students do with it, and the judgment they build along the way.

Learning in the Age of AI

Since 2024, our faculty have trained through SAIL (Steward AI Leaders) to bring artificial intelligence into the classroom thoughtfully and responsibly. Students learn about AI and with AI, using it as a tool to help their own understanding, never as a shortcut around it.

A Healthy Relationship with Technology

We focus less on screen time and more on screen use: whether a device is deepening a child's learning or just filling the minutes. We teach students to build healthy habits, to think critically, and to know when to put the screen down.

What Students Do, JK–12

Our youngest Spartans learn to code through play — often without a screen at all. Middle Schoolers take on coding in class and in the Robotics Club. Upper Schoolers design and create with professional tools and tackle ambitious projects in the Bryan Innovation Lab. At every stage, they're building, testing, and iterating.

Digital Citizenship & Safety

From JK through 12th grade, students learn to be kind, safe, and thoughtful online. Protecting their privacy and data is a priority in every decision we make.

Our 1:1 Program

Every student has technology matched to their age: a school-managed iPad in grades JK–8, and a laptop of their choosing in the Upper School — a meaningful step toward independence. Our Help Desk is here whenever families need support.

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Technology Requirements
All students in grades 9-12 are required to bring a laptop of their choosing.

Laptops must meet the following requirements:
- Wireless Connectivity: Devices must support
  WiFi6 (802.11 ax) (ideally WiFi 6e or WiFi7)
- Diagonal Screen Size: at least 11 inches
- Display: 1024x768 or more
- RAM: 16 GB or more
- CPU: Intel 13^th Gen Core i5 or faster (ideally Intel Core Ultra/AMD Ryzen AI 3000/Apple M3/4)
- Storage: 256 GB
- Battery: 8 hours
- Internet Browser: Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari
- Operating System: Windows 11 or higher; Mac 15 (Sequoia) or higher
- Preferred Features: Camera and microphone
- Protective Case: Sturdy enough to handle a fall
- Video Output: HDMI or HDMI adapter
- Charger
Warranty: We strongly recommend that parents purchase an extended warranty for the device at the time of purchase. The Steward School Help Desk will be available for first-level support. If the problem can be easily fixed, the Help Desk will do so. If not, students will be provided with a loaner device for no longer than two days while the family repairs or replaces the device. Just like textbooks, the student owns and is ultimately responsible for the upkeep of the device.