Question 1

What grades does Saint Stephen's serve?

Accepted Answer

Saint Stephen's is an independent Episcopal school enrolling students from Pre-K through Grade 12 on one campus in Bradenton, Florida.

Question 2

How does the admissions process work? Is there a deadline?

Accepted Answer

Saint Stephen's uses rolling admissions, so families may apply throughout the year and applications are reviewed as they are received. We encourage applying early, as space in some grades is limited.

Question 3

Is admissions testing or an entrance exam required?

Accepted Answer

Standardized entrance exams (such as the ISEE or SSAT) are not required for domestic applicants. Instead, students are scheduled for a shadow visit on campus, during which division directors administer in-house academic assessments and conduct interviews to evaluate curriculum readiness. International applicants should contact the Admissions Office directly regarding TOEFL or placement requirements.

Question 4

Where is the school located, and how do I get in touch?

Accepted Answer

Our campus is at 315 41st Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209. You can reach the Admissions Office at (941) 746-2121 or admissions@saintstephens.org.

Question 5

What does an Episcopal school education involve?

Accepted Answer

Saint Stephen's is an independent Episcopal school. Our program is anchored by four signature pathways — Marine Science, Global Education, Arts, and Capstone Research — and chapel is part of the weekly rhythm. Students of all faith backgrounds are welcome.

Question 6

What is the school’s affiliation?

Accepted Answer

Saint Stephen’s is an independent, coeducational, college-preparatory day school affiliated with the Episcopal Church, founded in 1970. Students come from a wide variety of religious, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, and no religious affiliation is required to enroll.

Question 7

What is tuition, and what does it include?

Accepted Answer

Tuition for the 2026-2027 school year ranges from $22,900 for Pre-Kindergarten to $31,900 for the Upper School (Grades 9–12), including the $500 per-student security & infrastructure fee. A one-time $1,000 technology fee applies to newly enrolled K–12 students. A comprehensive grade-by-grade breakdown is published on our Tuition & Financial Aid page.

Question 8

Is financial aid available?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Saint Stephen's awards more than $2 million annually in need-based financial aid. Aid applications may be submitted at any time and are separate from the admissions application.

Question 9

What is HB-1? What are its key provisions?

Accepted Answer

House Bill 1 (aka “HB-1”) was signed by Governor DeSantis in March 2023. This legislation provides funding through the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Opportunities (FES EO) and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES UA) to Florida residents with a child(-ren) eligible to enroll in a K-12 public school. This funding may be used for tuition and fees at a participating private school; the costs of standardized testing; curriculum materials; and transportation to and from a non-public school, among others.

Question 10

Does Saint Stephen's accept funds from the revamped FES EO and FES UA programs? Are other forms of financial assistance available?

Accepted Answer

No. The Saint Stephen's Board of Trustees voted in May 2023 not to accept state monies under HB-1 or any other state scholarship programs. However, families whose household income makes them eligible for assistance may apply for need-based tuition support directly from Saint Stephen's.

Question 11

Why did Saint Stephen's decide not to take state funding?

Accepted Answer

As an independent school, Saint Stephen's values its ability to operate independent of state requirements. This includes not having to participate in state-mandated testing. There are provisions in the law that could require Saint Stephen's to administer such tests, including to students who do not participate in the funding program. For example, the legislation requires participating private schools to file quarterly reports with the state; such reports are subject to change but must include a variety of demographic and curricular information. HB-1 and other legislation also have regulations regarding teacher certification and licensure that could potentially affect some of our educators and what they teach in their classrooms. Finally, taking HB-1 funds could make Saint Stephen's reliant on funding that could dissolve based on conditions outside of our control. These provisions, all of which could impact Saint Stephen's independence, led us to not accept such funds at this time.

Question 12

Have other independent schools also decided not to accept funds under HB-1?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A number of our regional peer schools have also decided not to take state funds.

Question 13

Might Saint Stephen's take FES EO or FES UA funds in the future?

Accepted Answer

While the Board and Administration believe that the decision not to accept state funds is appropriate, as with all mission-related issues, we will continue to monitor the situation moving forward and will update our families should anything change.

Question 14

I still have questions: to whom can I speak?

Accepted Answer

If you have additional thoughts or questions, please contact Head of School Peter Kraft (pkraft@saintstephens.org).

Question 15

How large are classes?

Accepted Answer

Classes are small by design — most run 14 to 18 students (per administration, 2025-26). Smaller sections mean students are known well and supported individually across every division.

Question 16

How does Saint Stephen's calculate GPA, and does it rank students?

Accepted Answer

Saint Stephen's calculates both a weighted and unweighted GPA for all students, using all courses except interscholastic athletics. The weighted GPA adds +1.0 for AP courses and +0.5 for Honors courses. In keeping with the school's mission and the small size of the graduating class, Saint Stephen's does not rank its students. Grading scale: A+ 4.33, A 4.00, A- 3.67, B+ 3.33, B 3.00, B- 2.67, C+ 2.33, C 2.00, C- 1.67, D+ 1.33, D 1.00, D- 0.67, F 0.00.

Question 17

How many courses must students take, and what is the AP policy?

Accepted Answer

Students must take a minimum of five courses during each of their four Upper School years; all courses are taught at an advanced college-preparatory level regardless of distinction. Juniors are recommended to enroll in a maximum of 2 AP courses, seniors in a maximum of 3. AP enrollment requires an application process; students who wish to exceed the recommended number may do so through an appeal process.

Question 18

What are the graduation course requirements?

Accepted Answer

English 4 credits, Mathematics 4 credits, Science 3 credits, Social Studies 3 credits, Foreign Language 3 credits, Electives 3 credits, Physical Education 1 credit, Fine Arts 1 credit.

Question 19

What is Interim Quest?

Accepted Answer

Interim Quest (IQ) is a week-long program at the end of second semester in which students enroll in specialized courses and academic enrichment programs held in the local community and across the globe — a deeper dive into academics, career, and service opportunities, including international travel.

Question 20

Is Saint Stephen's accredited?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The school is accredited by FCIS and Cognia, and maintains memberships in ACCIS, NAIS, NAES, NACAC, SACAC, and the College Board.

Question 21

What are the Class of 2026's average standardized test scores?

Accepted Answer

Average SAT: 1228 (SSES Class of 2026) vs. 1024 (Florida) and 966 (National). Average ACT: 24.3 (SSES) vs. 19 (Florida) and 20 (National).

Question 22

How do Saint Stephen's students perform on AP exams?

Accepted Answer

In May 2025, 115 students took 259 AP exams; 91% of scores were 3 or above.

Question 23

Where did the Class of 2025 go to college?

Accepted Answer

58 seniors were admitted to 126 unique institutions in the US and abroad. 41% will matriculate to 15 states outside Florida. 44% will attend a private college, 56% a public college. 7 recruited athletes in 5 different sports will matriculate to 7 different colleges and universities.

Question 24

What graduation distinctions can students earn?

Accepted Answer

Four distinctions are available: Ocean Academy (a rigorous marine/science course series plus independent research), Global Scholars (advanced coursework plus cultural exchange participation), Capstone Scholars (directed independent research with a faculty advisor and university mentor, presented at the school's annual RISE symposium), and the Arts Conservatory (advanced visual-arts coursework and workshops such as Raku/Sagger Firing and Figure Drawing, with portfolios displayed at a public art show).

Question 25

How big is Saint Stephen's, and who attends?

Accepted Answer

Saint Stephen's Episcopal School was founded in 1970 as a coeducational, college-preparatory, independent day school affiliated with the Episcopal Church, located in Bradenton, FL (Manatee County). Nearly 675 students in PK3–12 attend, from a wide variety of religious, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds — drawn from area counties, cities across the USA, and more than 20 foreign countries.

Question 26

What sets Saint Stephen's Upper School apart?

Accepted Answer

Senior Speeches to the entire Upper School are a graduation requirement. The Gauntlet is an award-winning, student-run newspaper (ssesgauntlet.org). The View is a multi-lingual, student-generated magazine. Falcon Friends is a school-wide peer mentorship program (PreK-12). The school has a Cum Laude Society chapter, offers multiple internship/externship opportunities, and provides early-release schedules for students in specialized sports training or advanced research.

Question 27

How many students play sports?

Accepted Answer

78% of students participate in interscholastic athletics across 19 varsity sports. A number of student-athletes also train at elite sports academies in and around Bradenton while pursuing the college-preparatory program.

Question 28

What clubs and activities are offered?

Accepted Answer

Saint Stephen's offers more than 25 clubs and activities, including Academic Team, Humanity Club, Harvard Model Congress, Chapel Council, and Interact. The school has chapters for five honor societies, most notably the Cum Laude Society.

Question 29

What is the Honor Code and Honor Council?

Accepted Answer

The Honor Code embodies principles meant to guide, enrich, and elevate the quality of student life. The Honor Council is a faculty-selected committee of students that mediates cases of Honor Code violations and makes restorative recommendations to the administration.

Question 30

How does the school support students socially and emotionally?

Accepted Answer

Through an advisory program, chapel twice weekly, an emphasis on community service, the Falcon Friends mentor program, and the Honor Code — all framed as vehicles for developing empathy alongside academics.

Question 31

How much community service do students complete?

Accepted Answer

All Saint Stephen's students will have served a minimum of 100 hours of community service upon graduation. The Class of 2025 accumulated 8,022 total service hours, averaging 138 hours per senior — well above the graduation requirement.

Question 32

What international travel programs are school-sponsored?

Accepted Answer

For 2024-2025, school-sponsored international travel programs went to Denmark, Spain, Taiwan, Switzerland, and Argentina.

Question 33

Who leads the Upper School and college counseling office?

Accepted Answer

Head of School: Mr. Peter A. Kraft. Director of Upper School: Mrs. Anna Conn. Assistant Director of Upper School: Mr. Jamie Moore. Associate Head of School and Director of Enrollment Management: Mrs. Chi Klein. Director of College Counseling: Mrs. Trisha Hasbrouck. College Counselor: Mrs. Nikki Williams. 9th and 10th College Mentor and College Coordinator: Mrs. Vanessa Vogt. Director of Curriculum and Research: Ms. Christina Pommer. Director of Athletics: Mr. Cole Hudson.

Question 34

How do I contact the school?

Accepted Answer

315 41st Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209. Phone: (941) 746-2121. Fax: (941) 746-5699. Email: info@saintstephens.org. CEEB Code: 100148.

FAQ

Tuition & Aid8