St. Stephen's School

Under the timeless, watchful gaze of the Appia Antica, another chapter closes, and a beautiful journey begins. 🎓✨

We are still breathless from our Graduation Ceremony at the breathtaking Villa dei Quintili. It was an honor to witness our seniors step onto the stage to receive their well-earned diplomas from our Head of School, Jill Muti, and Director of Teaching & Learning, Nadia El-Taha. A heartfelt thank you to our guest speaker, alumna Diva Tommei, for sharing such inspiring words with the Class of 2026.

To our graduates: You walked into St. Stephen’s years ago as children, full of wonder and potential. Today, you stand before us as creative, free, and independent adults, ready to leave your mark on the world. 🌍🕊️

Thank you for the passion, commitment, and dedication you brought to our community every single day. We have watched you grow, stumble, rise, and eventually, spread your wings.

This milestone is a collective achievement. A profound thank you to our parents, whose unwavering support has been the wind beneath these wings; to our dedicated faculty and staff, who have guided, challenged, and nurtured these bright minds throughout their journey; and to every guest who joined us to celebrate this special day.

As you take flight, remember: your St. Stephen’s family will always be cheering for you.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Go change the world. ❤️

Books open worlds, and some readers never stop proving it. 📖✨

For World Book Day, our campus community had the absolute pleasure of welcoming back St. Stephen’s alumnus Marco Garrison. Marco, a practicing writer and visual artist, spoke with our students about how a lifelong passion for reading shaped his imagination, fueled his creative journey, and ultimately transformed the way he sees, thinks, and creates.

His visit was an inspiring reminder of the power of literature and the enduring impact of a holistic education. Thank you, Marco, for sharing your journey and inspiring the next generation of creative thinkers! 🎨📝

Can a farm in Tuscany teach us as much as a textbook? 🌍🏛️

Our students just came back from a retreat at Spannocchia Farm, where the main subjects are restoration and connection. In the heart of Chiusdino, they are practicing the "forgotten art of being present"—trading screens for the beauty of the world around them. 🌿📖

Here, every meal is a lesson in tradition, made with ingredients pulled straight from the soil. Without the distraction of technology, free time is spent on the simple joys of reading, drawing, and walking altogether. It’s a deliberate return to a slower pace, where the most important thing to learn is how to simply be.... and be together. 🎓✨

Trip to Slovenia: Can resilience be learned while cycling toward a waterfall or navigating the longest cave system in Europe? 🌍🏔️

Our recent trip to Slovenia showed us that physical adventure and learning go hand in hand. 🇸🇮✨ Over six days, our students explored everything from historic cliff-side castles to powerful glacial lakes.

Every challenge—whether kayaking or exploring deep caves—helped them build teamwork and a deeper respect for nature. Even the quiet moments at the wellness park were important, giving everyone time to reflect on the day's beauty.

Our goal is simple: to help students build strong minds and strong bodies. To lead the world of tomorrow, you must first learn to connect with the planet. 🎓💪

Trip to Morocco: Six days in the Anti-Atlas Mountains.

Our students have returned from the timeless rhythm of the Anti-Atlas, where they were immersed in the heartland of the Berber people. From their base in a traditional pisé house nestled in a palm oasis, they lived an experience that textbooks simply cannot replicate: a deep dive into the folklore, traditions, and resilience of Tafraoute. 🌿📖

Every morning was a test of spirit, with 6-hour hikes through green valleys and "pink granite" mountains. Every evening was a lesson in being present, watching the sunset over the rocks with local mint tea in hand. 🏔️🍵

From the silence of ancient stone villages to the busy markets of Taroudant, our students found the perfect balance between physical strength and cultural respect. 🇲🇦✨

These students walked a path toward a deeper understanding of our shared humanity. 🎓🌍

Join us in giving a massive round of applause to our brilliant St. Stephen's History Bowl teams! 🧠 Academic competition is tough, but our students continue to raise the bar every single year.

📊 Varsity Sets New Milestones:
The Varsity squad—Sebastien C. (11), Elena G. (10), Arthur K. (11), Meyer N.-B. (11), and Gelsomina P. (10)—competed in an incredibly fierce division. Though they didn't advance to the playoffs, they put on a spectacular performance, earning significantly more points than our teams who made the finals in London (2024) and Vienna (2025). The upward trajectory of this team is amazing! 🚀

🏆 JV Brings Home the Hardware:
Our freshman Junior Varsity team—Arthur D., Ashton S., Leonelo T.M., and Harriet V.—had a phenomenal tournament run! They successfully reached the playoffs, fighting hard until the quarterfinals and earning a fantastic Quarterfinalist Junior Varsity Division plaque. Outstanding job for their first year! 🙌

🎓 Honoring Our Champions:
We also took a moment to celebrate the legacy of our newly graduated seniors! The school officially accepted the award plaque for the Varsity Division Champions of the 2025 Online Fall History Bowl, won on November 29th by Ayan R., Hamza E., Jonah G., and Maggie M.

From our incoming freshmen to our recent graduates, the passion for history at St. Stephen's remains stronger than ever. Congratulations to all the students and faculty mentors involved! 🎉

Pax et Bonum! ✨ Ready to explore Italy far beyond the usual tourist destinations?

🥾🍷The St. Stephen's Alumni Relations Office invites our alumni, parents, faculty, and friends to join us on our Umbria & Assisi Walking Tour from October 9–13, 2026. This 5-day, 4-night journey is designed to let us connect, unwind, and walk in the footsteps of history. This year is incredibly special as we honor the 800-year anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, traveling through the very landscapes that inspired centuries of iconic artwork.

Here is a sneak peek at our itinerary:
☀️ Day 1–2: Depart SSS for the "Balcony of Umbria" (Montefalco), enjoy a private homemade lunch in a panoramic villa, explore medieval Bevagna, and marvel at the Capella Baglioni in Spello.
⛪ Day 3: A deep-dive visit into the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi before heading to our incredible home for the next two nights—a historic Abbey founded by Syrian hermits!
🚂 Day 4–5: Hike a gorgeous disused railway track, cross the famous (and newly reopened!) Ponte delle Torri into Spoleto, and stop by the breathtaking Cascate delle Marmore on our return to Rome.

Along the way, we'll be indulging in the very best Umbrian cuisine—think fresh truffles, wild mushrooms, local olive oil, and the legendary Sagrantino di Montefalco wine. Cost includes accommodation (with breakfast), select lunches/dinners, all group site entries, and private group transportation.

Spaces for these unique community trips fill up quickly!

📧 To reserve your spot, email us today at: [email protected]

Our campus was buzzing with energy, arts, and culture last week! 🌟🎨🎭

St. Stephen's proudly celebrated our talented visual and performing artists with a spectacular series of events. The community came together to enjoy a diverse exhibition of student-created 2D, 3D, and digital works, followed by a brilliant live showcase filled with music, drama, and dance. 🎶🎻🕺

A huge bravi to all the incredible student artists and performers who took the stage and shared their work to make the night so special. What a remarkable year of creativity it has been at SSS!

Leave a comment below to congratulate our talented students! 👇🎉