Back-to-School Checklist

Summer Work for Rising 4th – 6th graders

• • 2026 Summer Reading Upper El
  • We encourage students to continue practicing math using IXL over the summer, focusing on the skills from the grade level they just completed. Consistent, short sessions are more effective than long, infrequent ones. A goal of 90 minutes per week is ideal to help keep skills sharp and build fluency. Students can log in to their existing IXL accounts and choose from recommended skills or use the “Diagnostic Recommendations” tool for guidance. 
  • Students are also welcome to explore IXL Language Arts over the summer. While not required, this can be a helpful way to keep language and grammar skills fresh. They can choose topics from their previous grade or explore new ones based on interest.

Summer Work for Rising 7th and 8th graders

• 2026 MY Summer Reading

• Students should continue using IXL over the summer to practice math skills from the grade level they just completed. Regular, short sessions are most effective—aim for 100 minutes per week. Students can log in to their existing accounts and select skills from their recommended list or use the “Diagnostic Recommendations” tool for targeted practice. If you need your child’s login information, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email.

• For students entering 8th grade, we recommend light preparation for the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) over the summer as part of the high school application process. IXL offers targeted ISEE prep tracks that can be used alongside general math review. Please refer to the High School Prep Google Classroom for specific guidance and resources related to ISEE preparation.

Magnus Health requirements are currently open for the 2026-2027 school year. 

Please make note of the following:

• All Magnus requirements must be completed by August 1st.
• Texas law requires all students to be vaccine compliant to attend school.
  • For age/grade-specific vaccine requirements and exemption details, visit the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
• Physicals will only be due once upon enrollment and will no longer be required annually for returning students.
• Magnus is now accessible through the SSESH Parent Portal and no longer requires additional login credentials.

The At-a-Glance Calendar is a helpful resource for the key dates throughout the school year. While it doesn’t include all events, celebrations, and activities, those details will be shared as the year progresses. Use this calendar as a starting point as you plan ahead. 

A more detailed calendar of events will be shared at the beginning of the school year.

Join us at the Back-to-School Rally on Sunday, August 9, 2026!

• Community
• Classroom Visits
• Meet the Parent Teacher Organization
• Head of School Presentation
• And More!

Orientation and Primary Families: 2:00–3:30 PM

• Begin in Pecore Hall for a brief welcome from Admin and a chance tomeet specialists/support staff
• Head to classrooms between 2:30–2:45 PM

Elementary and Middle Years Families: 3:00–4:30 PM

• Begin in Pecore Hall for a brief welcome from Admin and a chance tomeet specialists/support staff
• Head to classrooms between 3:30-3:45

Orientation Level Meet and Greet

• Date: August 7
• Time: Families to sign up for a time slot
• Location: Orientation Classrooms
• This event is for parents and students. This event is optional for families returning to the Orientation program for Year 2.

Orientation Level New Student Orientation

• Date: August 10
• Time: 8:00-9:30 am
• Location: Orientation Classrooms
• Our goal is that your child’s transition into their new class feels safe and secure. In order to succeed in this, we offer a gradual schedule in addition to working individually with parents regarding the recommended schedule for each child. This allows us to respond to each child’s needs and to respect and follow each child’s lead as much as possible. Please be flexible during your child’s transition phase-in period, as modifications may be recommended.
• Please note that drop-off is via carpool, which operates in the right-hand lane in the Sul Ross lot (1800 Sul Ross).
• New student orientation sessions do not include parents in the classrooms.

New Parent Orientation

• Date: August 10
• Time: 8:15 am
• Location: Please check in at 1805 W. Alabama and proceed to the Havens Center
• Our New Parent Orientation is designed to help families feel informed, prepared, and connected before the school year begins. We will cover important school procedures, communication platforms, key dates, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved in the SSESH community. Families will also receive support in accessing school resources and communication tools.

  This event is highly encouraged for all new families.

Primary Level Meet and Greet

• Date: August 7
• Time: Families to sign up for a time slot
• Location: Primary Classrooms
• Please complete the Primary – Student Goals form and bring it to the conference.
• This event is for parents and students. This event is optional for families returning to the Primary program for Year 2 or Kindergarten.

Primary Level New Students’ Orientation

• Date: August 10
• Time: 8:00 am-11:00 am
• Location: Primary Classrooms
• This event is for students who are:
  • New to St. Stephen’s 
  • Rising Primary Students
• New students attend school to begin orienting to the classroom and the routine of coming to school.
• Carpool will be in operation on the westbound side of Sul Ross for morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.
• At 11:00 am, please pick up your child in carpool, park your car, and proceed to the playground for popsicles. This is your opportunity to meet new Primary families.

New Parent Orientation

• Date: August 10
• Time: 8:15 am
• Location: Please check in at 1805 W. Alabama and proceed to the Havens Center
• Our New Parent Orientation is designed to help families feel informed, prepared, and connected before the school year begins. We will cover important school procedures, communication platforms, key dates, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved in the SSESH community. Families will also receive support in accessing school resources and communication tools.

  This event is highly encouraged for all new families.

Conferences

• Date: Week of August 3
• Time: Families to sign up for a time slot
• Location: Classrooms (Lower El – Upper El)
• Please complete the applicable conference forms (below) and bring them to your conference.
  • Lower Elementary – Student Goals
  • Lower Elementary – Parent Goals
  • Upper Elementary – Student Inquiry
  • Upper Elementary – Parent Inquiry
• For rising 4th-6h graders, your summer math and reading work (see above) will be due at this time.
• This event is for parents and students. This event is optional for families returning to the same level in Year 2 or 3 (as applicable).

Elementary New Student Orientation

• Date: August 10
• Time: 8:00 am – 11:00 am
• Location: Classrooms (Lower El – Upper El)
• This event is for students who are:
  • new to St. Stephen’s in any grade (1st – 6th) or
  • rising 1st graders and rising 4th graders
• Please send with your student a morning snack and a water bottle.
• Carpool will be in operation.

New Parent Orientation

• Date: August 10
• Time: 8:15 am
• Location: Please check in at 1805 W. Alabama and proceed to the Havens Center
• Our New Parent Orientation is designed to help families feel informed, prepared, and connected before the school year begins. We will cover important school procedures, communication platforms, key dates, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved in the SSESH community. Families will also receive support in accessing school resources and communication tools.

  This event is highly encouraged for all new families.

Conferences

• Date: Week of August 3
• Time: Families to sign up for a time slot
• Location: Classrooms (CoHo)
• Please complete the applicable conference forms (below) and bring them to your conference.
  • Middle Years – Student Inquiry
  • Middle Years – Parent Inquiry
• For rising 7th – 8th graders, your summer math and reading work (see above) will be due at this time.
• This event is for parents and students. 

Middle Years Parent Experience 

• Date: August 8th
• Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Location: Classrooms (CoHo)

During this immersive experience, parents will:

• Experience a “day in the life” of a Middle Years student
• Navigate materials and assignments similar to those used in class
• Practice managing time and balancing responsibilities
• Collaborate on group projects and activities
• Gain insight into the increased independence and expectations of the Middle Years program
• Learn about the academic, organizational, and social shifts that occur during the transition from Upper Elementary

Our goal is to help parents better understand the unique culture and expectations of Middle Years so they can confidently support their child through this important transition.

Middle Years First Day of School

• Date: August 10
• Time: 8:00 am – 3:30 pm
• Location: Classrooms (CoHo)
• This event is for students who are:
  • all Middle Years (regardless of being new or not)
• Please send with your student a morning snack and a water bottle.
• Carpool will be in operation.

New Parent Orientation

• Date: August 10
• Time: 8:15 am
• Location: Please check in at 1805 W. Alabama and proceed to the Havens Center
• Our New Parent Orientation is designed to help families feel informed, prepared, and connected before the school year begins. We will cover important school procedures, communication platforms, key dates, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved in the SSESH community. Families will also receive support in accessing school resources and communication tools.

  This event is highly encouraged for all new families.

**Morning Carpool will operate from 8:00 am – 8:15 am**

Families seeking to drop off or pick up students during the school day, but not during carpool, should proceed to the Main Reception Desk at 1805 W Alabama.

Carpool Locations

Drop off and pick up via carpool is offered for all students. Please note that all students must be dropped off or picked up from the designated carpool locations. All carpool locations are subject to change, with changes being communicated in advance via email and/or text message.

Orientation

Please enter the Sul Ross parking lot (1800 Sul Ross) from Woodhead. Orientation families must queue in the right lane (closest to the main building). Please ensure that your child is fully awake and alert at morning carpool. Faculty must assess each child before removing them from the vehicle and cannot do so if your child is asleep.

Primary

Please approach carpool from Woodhead, turning onto Sul Ross, heading west. Allow your child to disembark at the marked locations in front of the houses at 1822 and 1826 Sul Ross, only.

Lower Elementary 1 & Lower Elementary 3

Please approach carpool from Woodhead, turning onto Sul Ross, heading west. Allow your child to disembark at the marked locations in front of the houses at 1822 and 1826 Sul Ross, only.

Lower Elementary 2

Please enter the Sul Ross parking lot (1800 Sul Ross) from Woodhead. Lower El 2 families must queue in the left lane. Students must follow the instructions of carpool workers and avoid walking between cars in the right lane.

Upper Elementary

Please enter the Sul Ross parking lot (1800 Sul Ross) from Woodhead. Upper El families must queue in the left lane. Students must follow the instructions of carpool workers and avoid walking between cars in the right lane.

Middle Years

Please enter the Sul Ross parking lot (1800 Sul Ross) from Woodhead. Middle Years families must queue in the left lane. Students must follow the instructions of carpool workers and avoid walking between cars in the right lane. (With advance notice, Middle Years may also conduct carpool at the small parking lot at 1801 Sul Ross; please enter 1801 Sul Ross from Sul Ross and exit via Woodhead.)