College Prep

When your child joins Steward — as a Lower, Middle, or Upper Schooler — they join a school that is supportive and open-hearted. With an eight-to-one student-faculty ratio and an average class size of 12, Steward is a community in which all voices are valued and where faculty inspire students to be thinkers and leaders. 

At the heart of Steward is our mission: to prepare students for college and for life. This takes shape in our challenging curriculum, our environment of mutual respect, and the meaningful connections that happen inside and beyond the classroom. Spartans are lifelong learners and change-makers who take an active role in shaping the future. 

College readiness is an integral part of the Steward experience. We are proud that 100% of our graduates are offered admission to four-year colleges and universities. In addition, nearly all of Steward’s graduates (98%) are offered admission to their top-choice college or university.  

As an example of our commitment to preparing students for life beyond Steward, we share here some information about the 70 members of the Class of 2023. These Spartans:  

Beginning in their freshman year, Upper Schoolers meet with members of the College Counseling team in preparation for the college admissions process; in addition, families are welcome to meet with the counselors at any time during their students’ education. Director of College Counseling Heather Jeter and the rest of the team (Khadijah Luqman, associate director; Melissa Calkins, associate director; and Braeden Glancy ’15, administrative assistant), guide students through the entire process. Selecting a “best fit” college is a priority for the office and an essential part of Steward's goal to equip students with the skills they’ll need as they enter adulthood. 

Ms. Jeter said, “Our team works one-on-one with students, helping them make informed choices about their course selections at Steward. We hold individual meetings with students and their families to discuss standardized testing opportunities, the ins and outs of the application process, and the importance of crafting a well-written college application essay. We mentor students on how to confidently step into the college application process, and we are always here for guidance.”

The overnight college tour, which takes place in the fall of the junior year, is a hands-on way for students to see what college life is like. Juniors visit a variety of school types — public and private, small and large, urban and rural — over two fast-paced days. In 2023, the Class of 2025 visited the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, James Madison University, Longwood University, and Roanoke College. They toured campuses, participated in Q&A sessions with admissions counselors, and visited with Steward alumni during tours and meals in dining halls. After visiting each school, students evaluated how they felt about school size, distance from home, setting, and other qualities that make up their ideal type of school. 

“This evaluation is so important,” said Ms. Jeter. “Students reflect on and work to hone their college preferences. It’s a remarkably valuable experience.” 

Xavier Nelson ’25 said the tours were tremendously helpful. 

“It is important to feel a sense of comfort in a place that I will be calling home for four years,” he said. “As soon as we got off the bus at each campus, I had a sense of my level of connection with that school.” Xavier now knows that he’d like to attend a medium-to-large college that offers a major in architecture. 

Thanks to the college tours, “I solidified my options and determined that I will feel most comfortable in an environment with a multitude of different students, plus top professors … a place where I can flourish and grow.” Xavier also looks forward to delving into college opportunities such as sports teams, clubs, internships, and study abroad.

Each fall, all Upper Schoolers are invited to meet with college representatives who visit the Steward campus. In all, professionals from approximately 100 colleges come to Steward each year. The reps give a brief presentation about the school and its admissions process, and students can ask questions. 

Cameron Berryman ’24 said, “Being prepared with questions is a big deal, especially if you have individual concerns. I learned a lot from the representatives about things I may not have thought of, such as Greek life.” Thanks to the College Counseling team’s individualized approach, Cameron is considering colleges he might not have before.

“One of the schools I applied to is an enormous university that initially put me off due to its size,” he said. After talking to the team, Cameron discovered that the university was indeed a navigable campus “with tons of resources.” Cameron also benefited from the College Counseling Office’s essay-writing workshops. “The team created effective, dedicated time in which I was able to hone my focus,” he noted. 

Read our College Counseling Guide and discover what sets Steward apart, including our entrepreneurship and leadership programs, which feature real-world training. Spartans can also explore the wider world through travel opportunities; recent destinations include England and Italy, and in 2024, students can travel to Spain or Germany. Steward also boasts top-notch athletic and arts programs. In the College Counseling Guide, you’ll also see lots of blue-and-gold pride on display in our alumni, who share how Steward helped prepare them for college and career.