Global Education
Six Sisters
Saint Stephen’s has enjoyed a significant international student population for decades, and our Global Education program formally began with a relationship with a school in Tanzania in 2007. Today, there are six schools considered Saint Stephen’s “sisters” – in Tanzania, Japan, Argentina, Denmark, Honduras, and Spain.
International travel is also a key component. Students travel annually to Eisbjerghus Internationale School in Denmark and Colegio Nacional de Monserrat in Córdoba, Argentina, and Saint Stephen’s families host students from those schools on return visits to Bradenton each year.
sister schools — Tanzania, Japan, Argentina, Denmark, Honduras, and Spain
Global Education, formally begun 2007
Students benefit when they share perspectives with their international peers and their learning reaches beyond the four walls of our school to create a collaborative global classroom. They get a valuable opportunity to know their global neighbors, have fun together, and work on solving common problems.
The Six Sister Schools
Global Outreach – Iringa, Tanzania
The connection began in 2007 with weekly videoconferences. Former Head of School Dr. Jan Pullen traveled to Iringa International School in 2009 and SSES hosted teacher Tina Emmanuel for a month in 2022 to help grow programs between her students and ours.
Shibuya Junior & Senior High – Tokyo, Japan
The relationship between our schools played a key role in Shibuya being designated a Super Global High School by the Japanese government, which funds students on their visits to SSES. Saint Stephen’s students made the first reciprocal trip to Japan in 2017.
Holy Trinity Episcopal School – La Ceiba, Honduras
Our relationship started in 2011 thanks to a connection with the Episcopal Dioceses of Honduras and the first exchange came in 2017, when Holy Trinity students spent a week living with Saint Stephen’s host families and experiencing campus life.
Colegio Nacional de Monserrat – Córdoba, Argentina
Our students have connected virtually since 2013 and the school was presented with an award in 2016 from Argentinian President Mauricio Macri for its ongoing collaboration with Saint Stephen’s. The first student exchange came in 2018.
Eisbjerghus Internationale Efterskole – Nørre Aaby, Denmark
The fall of 2019 marked the first exchange between our two schools. The Danish students spent 10 days on campus and in the community while living with Saint Stephen’s host families. The exchange is now an annual occurrence.
Ceip Hernando De Soto – Barcarrota, Spain
Since the start of the partnership in 2018, students in both towns have enjoyed virtual collaborations, pen-pal letter exchanges, and friendly games and conversations on Zoom. In 2022, Saint Stephen’s students traveled to Barcarrota for the first time.
Global Scholars Distinction
For students who fully embrace Global Education in the classroom and extracurricular activities, there is an opportunity to be recognized with a Global Scholars Distinction at graduation. Requirements include study of modern or classical language beyond level III, three credits from globally focused courses, three distinct global extracurricular activities, 30 hours of globally focused service, one cross-cultural exchange activity, and a digital portfolio.
