St. Stephen's views a laptop as an essential resource for a successful student.

What type of laptop should I purchase?
We have minimum device requirements and recommendations. Please refer to the specifications in the PDF below:

Laptop Requirements PDF

We believe all clothing has a time and place, and, in turn, that our dress code reflects what is appropriate for schools in general and our school in particular. During the academic day, students should be dressed and groomed in a manner that is clean, neat and appropriate for our academic context.

Middle School

During the school day, Middle School students are expected to wear clothing that does the following:

• Fully covers the midriff, sides and back of the body 
• Covers at least part of both shoulders 
• Fully covers undergarments (straps of sports bras may be visible) 
• Adequately covers the chest, private areas and upper thighs at all times
• Students wishing to play on the fields or in the gyms during recess must wear athletic shoes with closed toes and heels.

The following are not permitted: 

• Clothing with imagery or language considered offensive by our community or referring to actions or objects prohibited at school 
• Clothing that resembles pajamas (except during designated spirit days and final exams) 
• Hats or hoods worn indoors 
• Piercings other than earlobe, tattoos and unnatural hair color 

Upper School

During the school day, Upper School students are expected to wear:

• Shorts/skirts that adequately cover the hips and upper thigh
• Pants, shorts, or skirts without holes showing skin above the acceptable level of shorts
• Clothes that do not expose undergarments by cut or fabric (bra straps not included)
• Clothes that cover the front and lateral areas of the torso from the underarm to the waist
• Clothes that cover midriffs from the front and the sides: all shirts must be of a length where the shirt touches the waist of pants, skirts or shorts when one stands still and straight

The following are not permitted:

• Clothes that make reference to or promote sex, drugs, violence, alcohol, tobacco or obscenities
• Clothes that resemble pajamas, except during finals
• Hats in the dining hall or Chapel at any time

Dress Code PDF 

What to Bring PDF

Complete the following forms in SchoolAdmin:

• Boarding Student Special Permission
• Boarding Student Roommate Questionnaire

For faster access to campus, we ask that you display a SSES sticker in the front lower left corner of your windshield. 

Those who have parking stickers from the 2024-2025 academic year will not need a new sticker as those are still valid until 2026. For other families who do not have stickers, request your 2025 26 stickers through this form or click on the Security tile in MySSES and open the Google form. 

Transportation

Coming Soon

Drop-off Information

Coming Soon

Campus Access - We will alert you to important traffic changes along Loop 360 that may affect your commute as we learn of them. In the meantime, all drivers should enter and exit the St. Stephen’s campus from the main entry gate on Westlake Drive. The Rob Roy and Bunny Run entries are not authorized campus access points.  

Front Gate Arms - The inbound/outbound arms at the security booth are designed to lower  between each vehicle. Please allow adequate distance between you and the driver in front of you for the gate to work properly. 

Campus Speed Limit - We ask that you adhere to our 25 mph entering campus ahead of the iron gate and 15 mph throughout the remainder of campus. Solar speed limit signs are installed as a reminder to slow down if you are speeding.  

Stop Signs - It is important that all motorized vehicles come to a complete stop at all stop signs to ensure safe passage. Vehicles traveling up the hill to campus should do so slowly to watch for pedestrians in the crosswalks. Pedestrians have the right-of-way throughout the campus.   

Hands-Free Zone - The St. Stephen's campus is considered a hands-free technology zone. Texas Law prohibits drivers from using handheld devices while operating a motor vehicle, unless they are using hands-free technology.   

Thank you again for your attention to these safety items. We look forward to seeing you on campus soon and we look forward to a great academic year!

Sunday, August 17 – Orientation, Advisory Meetings & Activities

2–2:30 p.m. Parent and Student Orientation Meeting in Helm Fine Arts Center

2:45–3:30 p.m. Advisory Meetings for parents & students (Gunn Hall)

3:30–4 p.m. Ice Cream & Conversation — Take a few minutes to make new friends, say hello to those you already know and set up lockers.

4–5:30 p.m. Parents’ Association Back-to-School Event (Clayton Gym)

4–5:30 p.m. 6th grade student activity

Monday, August 18 – Orientation & Social Event

8:30–9 a.m. Chapel for 6th grade Middle School students & parents

9–11 a.m. Orientation for new Middle School students (Gunn Hall) and parents (Helm Fine Arts Center Recital Hall) 

11–11:30 a.m. Middle School lunch

Noon–3 p.m. 6th grade social event (location TBD)

Tuesday, August 19 – First Day of Classes

8:30 a.m. Academic year 2025-26 begins!

Download Schedule PDF

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17

1–3:30 p.m. Orientation for new 7th and 8th grade students (Gunn Hall) and parents (Helm Fine Arts Center Recital Hall)

3–3:30 p.m. Advisory meetings for parents and students (Brewster Hall)

3:30–4 p.m. Ice Cream & Conversation for parents and students — Meet new friends, say hello to those you already know and set up lockers.

4–5:30 p.m. Parents attend Back-to-School event sponsored by Parents’ Association (Clayton Gym)

4–5 p.m. 7th and 8th graders attend class meetings (Gunn Hall)

MONDAY, AUGUST 18

8:30–11 a.m. Course Introductions (shortened class periods)

11–11:40 a.m. Middle School lunch

Noon–3 p.m. 7th and 8th grade social events (location TBD)

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19 - First Day of Classes

8:30 a.m. Academic year 2025-26 begins!

Download Schedule PDF

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17

9–11 a.m. New boarding student check-in (Booth Student Center) and dorm move-in

11-11:30 a.m. New boarding students and parents meet dorm parents (dorm common rooms)

11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m Residential student and parent lunch (Dining Hall)

1:30–3 p.m. Orientation for new students and parents (Helm Fine Arts Center Recital Hall)

3–3:30 p.m. Advisory meetings for parents and students (Brewster Hall)

3:30–4 p.m. Ice Cream & Conversation for parents and students — Meet new friends, say hello to those you already know and set up lockers.

4–5:30 p.m. Parents attend Back-to-School event sponsored by Parents’ Association (Clayton Gym)

5:30 p.m.  Boarding Parent Social at the home of Kim Garey, Associate Head of School (Campus Residence #12, near Foster Baseball Field)

6 p.m. Boarding student dinner (Dining Hall) 

6:45 p.m.  Residential Life welcome (Chapel)

8 p.m. Dorm meetings

MONDAY, AUGUST 18

8:30–11 a.m. Course Introductions (shortened class periods)

11–11:30 a.m. Middle School lunch

Noon–3 p.m. 7th and 8th grade social events (location TBD) 

6 p.m. Residential Life picnic

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19 - First Day of Classes

8:30 a.m. Academic year 2025-26 begins!

Download Schedule PDF 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17

3–3:30 p.m. Advisory meetings for parents and students (Brewster Hall)

3:30–4 p.m. Ice Cream & Conversation for parents and students — Meet new friends, say hello to those you already know and set up lockers.

4–5:30 p.m. Parents attend Back-to-School event sponsored by Parents’ Association (Clayton Gym)

4–5 p.m. 7th and 8th graders attend class meetings (Gunn Hall)

MONDAY, AUGUST 18

8:30–11 a.m. Course Introductions (shortened class periods)

11–11:40 a.m. Middle School lunch

Noon–3 p.m. 7th and 8th grade social events (location TBD)

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19 - First Day of Classes

8:30 a.m. Academic year 2025-26 begins!

Download Schedule PDF

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17 Move-in - Residential Activities & Parent Orientation

9–11 a.m. New boarding student check-in (Booth Student Center) and dorm move-in 

11–11:45 a.m. New boarding students & parents meet dorm parents (dorm common rooms) 

11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m. Residential student and parent lunch (Dining Hall)

1–3 p.m. Free time to continue setting up room

3:15–4 p.m. Advisory meetings for students and Parent Orientation in Helm Fine Arts Center

4–5:30 p.m. Parents attend Back-to-School event sponsored by Parents’ Association (Clayton Gym)

5:30 p.m. Boarding Parent Social at the home of Kim Garey, Associate Head of School (Campus Residence #12, near Foster Baseball Field)

6 p.m. Boarding student dinner (Dining Hall)

6:45 p.m. Residential Life welcome for students (Chapel)

8 p.m. Dorm meetings

MONDAY, AUGUST 18 - Orientation for New Upper School Students

8:30–9:30 a.m. Math Placement exam for students who require testing (Brewster Hall Room 1) 

10–11 a.m. Language Placement exam for students who require testing (Brewster Hall Room 1)

11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch for all new Upper School students (Dining Hall)

12:30–3:15 p.m. Spartan Welcome! Students-only (Helm Fine Arts Center Theatre)

3:15–4 p.m. Club Fair (Clayton Gym)

4:15 p.m. Upper School athletic practices

6 p.m.Residential Life picnic

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19 - First Day of Classes 

8:30 a.m. Academic year 2025-26 begins!

Download Schedule PDF

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17 - Parents Only

3:15–4 p.m. Parent Orientation (Helm Fine Arts Center)

4–5:30 p.m. Parents attend Back-to-School event sponsored by Parents’ Association (Clayton Gym)

MONDAY, AUGUST 18 - Students Only

8:30–9:30 a.m. Math Placement exam for students who require testing (Brewster Hall Room 1) 

10–11 a.m. Language Placement exam for students who require testing (Brewster Hall Room 1) 

11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch for all new Upper School students (Dining Hall)

12:30–3:15 p.m.Spartan Welcome! Students-only (Helm Fine Arts Center Theatre)

3:15–4 p.m. Club Fair (Clayton Gym)

4:15 p.m. Upper School athletic practices

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19 - First Day of Classes

8:30 a.m. Academic year 2025-26 begins!

Download Schedule PDF

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17 - Parents-Only

4–5:30 p.m. Parents attend Back-to-School event sponsored by Parents’ Association (Clayton Gym)

MONDAY, AUGUST 18 - Students-Only

9–11 a.m. College Application Workshop for all seniors (Dining Hall) 

1–3 p.m. Optional College Application Work Session for interested seniors (Dining Hall) 

3:15–4 p.m. Club Fair (Clayton Gym)

4:15 p.m. Upper School athletic practices

6 p.m. Residential Life picnic

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19 - First Day of Classes

8:30 a.m. Academic year 2025-26 begins!

Download Schedule PDF

 

 

Middle School Book List PDF - coming soon

Middle School Textbook Ordering Instructions PDF - coming soon

 

 

Upper School Book List PDF - coming soon

Upper School Textbook Ordering Instructions PDF - coming soon

 

Textbooks will be available to order beginning early August. They are not available for purchase in the physical St. Stephen's Campus Store.