Your weekly update with school news, upcoming events, and important reminders to keep our community connected.
Greetings St. Stephen’s Friends and Families,
On behalf of the entire faculty and staff, I extend a warm welcome back to school and a Happy New Year. I hope you all enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating winter break.
I am excited to see our students back in the classrooms and engaged in learning. This new year brings with it a renewed sense of energy and purpose as we embark on another exciting chapter in St. Stephen’s history.
To kick off the new year, I will be delivering the State of the School Address on Tuesday, January 23rd at 5:00 PM in the Nave.
During my address, I will:
- Reflect on the accomplishments of the 2024 school year: We will celebrate our successes, recognize the dedication of our faculty and staff, and acknowledge the invaluable support of our parents and community.
- Share a preview of our exciting plans for the 2025 school year: I will highlight key initiatives, programs, and opportunities that lie ahead.
- Provide important information regarding re-enrollment and tuition for the 2025-2026 school year: We will share key dates and deadlines, along with details about tuition and financial aid.
I encourage all parents to attend this important event. It will be a valuable opportunity to learn more about the exciting things happening at St. Stephen’s and to connect with other members of our community.
I am confident that 2025 will be a year of continued growth, learning, and joy for our students. Let us embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and work together to create a thriving and enriching learning environment for all.
With gratitude,
Dr. Troy Roddy, Head of School
St. Stephen’s Episcopal School – Houston
Upcoming Events
From Classroom to Competition: Middle Years Students at Future City
Our Middle Years students have been diligently preparing in their Da Vinci Classroom with Ms. Kim for the upcoming Future City Competition. This event challenges middle school students to envision and build models of futuristic cities, focusing on innovative solutions to sustainability issues. This year’s theme, “Above the Current,” tasks students with designing a floating city that ensures the health and safety of its citizens. The competition will take place on Saturday, January 18th, 2025, from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm at the NASA Gilruth Center, located at 18600 Space Center Blvd, Houston, TX 77058.
Let’s cheer on our students as they showcase their hard work and innovative ideas at this exciting event!
The State of SSESH with Dr. Troy
We warmly invite you to join us in the Church Nave on Thursday, January 23rd, at 5:00 pm for The State of SSESH. This special gathering, led by Dr. Troy, will highlight the incredible accomplishments of the current academic year and offer a glimpse into the exciting plans and initiatives for Fall 2025.
In addition, Dr. Troy will share important updates about the 2025-26 school year tuition and how it reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering an exceptional educational experience for every student.
This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other members of our school community, reflect on our shared successes, and engage in the vision for the future of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, Houston.
We look forward to seeing you there as we come together to celebrate our progress and chart the path forward for our school!
Explore the Next Level at Our January Open House!
Current families, join us on Thursday, January 23rd, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm to discover what’s next in your child’s journey at St. Stephen’s. Spend time in classrooms, connect with teachers, and learn how our programs are helping the world grow kinder and smarter every day.
Meet our specialist and wellness teams, and see how each level builds on the next to support your child’s growth. Children are welcome to attend!
RSVP today. We look forward to seeing you there!
Moving-Up Observations: A Glimpse into the Next Step
Guardians of students moving up to the next level in fall 2025 are invited to participate in Moving-Up Observations. This is a special opportunity to see the classrooms your child will transition into and learn how St. Stephen’s nurtures growth, curiosity, and kindness at every stage.
You’ll receive an email from the teachers of the next level with an invitation and sign-up details for these observations. During your visit, you’ll experience our classrooms in action, gain insights into our approach, and have the chance to ask questions.
We’re excited to share what makes this next chapter so meaningful and look forward to welcoming you to this milestone in your child’s journey!
Priority Re-Enrollment and Financial Aid for 2025-26
The Priority Re-Enrollment Period for the 2025-26 academic year begins February 1, 2025, and runs through February 14, 2025.
Families interested in financial aid for the 2025-26 academic year are encouraged to apply by February 1, 2025, for the first round of financial aid decisions. Please remember that 2023 tax documentation is required for financial aid applications.
For more information on financial aid, visit ssesh.org/financial-aid.
We are excited to continue supporting your child’s journey at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, Houston!
Bulldog 360 is Back!
Get ready—Bulldog 360 classes kick off on Tuesday, January 21st! We can’t wait to see your students dive into their exciting activities.
A quick reminder: there will be no school or Bulldog 360 classes on Monday, January 20th, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Stay tuned—class details will be available soon on SeeSaw, and you’ll hear from your child’s BD360 teacher early next week with everything you need to know to get started.
We’re excited to see your students engage, explore, and grow this semester. If you have any questions, please reach out to Celia Hughes at chughes@ssesh.org.
Let’s make this semester a fantastic one!
Annual Fund Update
Annual Fund Update: Incredible Progress!
We’re thrilled to share the latest update on our Annual Fund campaign—thank you for your unwavering support! As of today, we’ve raised an impressive $179,194, reaching 90% of our total goal with just $20,806 remaining. Parent participation has climbed to 61% overall, and here’s the breakdown by division:
- Orientation: 63%
- Primary: 56%
- Lower Elementary: 68%
- Upper Elementary: 63%
- Middle Years: 91%
While tuition covers essential costs, your tax-deductible contributions to the Annual Fund fuel the enriching experiences that make our school truly extraordinary. Faculty, staff, and Board member participation remains at a remarkable 100%—we invite you to join them and help us cross the finish line!
Together, we can achieve our goal and continue providing the opportunities our students deserve.
At-a-Glance
Key Dates
January 2025
- 12/23 – 1/3 – Winter Break
- 1/6 – No School; Teacher In-Service
- 1/20 – No School; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February 2025
- 2/21 – No School; All School Conferences
March 2025
- 3/10 – 3/14 – Spring Break
April 2025
- 4/18 – 4/21 – No School; Good Friday and Easter Monday
May 2025
- 5/23 – Last Day of School; Early Dismissal; No Extended Care
- 5/26 – Memorial Day
- 5/27 – 5/30 – Teacher In-Service; Summer Camp Prep
Bulldog Compliments
At St. Stephen’s, we have an easy way for anyone in the St. Stephen’s community to show their appreciation for a faculty, staff, or leadership team member. We call it sending a “Bulldog Compliment.”
Here is how it works. Click the Send A Bulldog Compliment image and follow the prompts. It only takes a few clicks, and you are done.
All compliments are anonymous and will be sent to the person (or persons) you choose to recognize. There is no limit to how many you can send, so be as generous as you wish!