The yearlong celebration featured campus expansions, historic international tours and a bold new chapter for the Spartan community.

From the school’s humble beginnings in 1950 to the world-class institution of today, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School concludes its 75th anniversary year reflecting and envisioning the future while continuing to honor its rich history.

The celebrations officially kicked off in September with an epic milestone: cutting the ribbons and opening the new St. Stephen’s Aquatic Center and Spartan Loop roadway. The event featured a student pep rally and a Parents’ Association-sponsored block party ahead of several home varsity athletic competitions.

In October, the school entered a bold new chapter launching the public phase of Lasting Impact: The Campaign for St. Stephen’s — an $85 million campaign expanding opportunities and access for students through financial aid and scholarships, supporting faculty through a bolstered endowment, and enhancing the spaces where Spartans learn, grow and lead. 

Also in the fall, Head of School Chris Gunnin, Director of the International Program Sarah Todd, Associate Director of the International Program Hai Zheng Olefsky and Director of Advancement April Speck-Ewer visited Spartans in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. The group engaged with current parents, parents of alumni and alumni families at receptions, celebrating their connection to St. Stephen’s through stories, memories and hopes for the future. 

In December, the school celebrated 52 years of the Madrigals during the annual celebration of the Festival of Lessons and Carols. The event included a special faculty, staff and alumni choir that joined the Madrigals for a grand finale rendition of the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

Throughout the winter, the school welcomed Rt. Rev. Kai Ryan, the bishop suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and chair of the St. Stephen's Board of Trustees; the Rt. Rev. Andy Doyle, bishop diocesan of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas; and Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, the 27th presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church who engaged with Spartans and shared inspiring words.

Bishop Curry served as the school’s keynote speaker on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, charging Spartans to live a life of unity through love — loving God, your neighbor and yourself. MLK Day programming in February also included an alumni panel featuring graduates who were students during desegregation in the 1960s. Students heard from Clarke Heidrick ’68 and John McFarland ’68, who started the St. Stephen’s MLK Scholarship, along with MLK Scholarship recipients and brothers Rudy Green ’71 and Ricky Green ’86.

In April, hundreds of St. Stephen’s alumni and their families, along with former faculty and staff, returned to campus for a 75th-anniversary themed Reunion Weekend 2026. During the three-day interactive event celebrating all Spartan alumni, the school honored the 25th anniversary of the school’s fine arts academy: Theatre Focus.

In addition to elevated and intentional events throughout the year, the Marketing and Communications team revived historic archives, the school’s 75-year history in modern ways. These digital initiatives included a dedicated 75th Anniversary webpage, a mini historical documentary exploring each decade, a retrospective article and a recent story “What’s In a Name?” detailing the history of the original campus buildings.

This year-long celebration of history culminates in May, as the Class of 2026 graduation and Middle School Closing ceremonies officially cap off the historic year. While the community has spent this milestone reflecting on its roots, Spartans remain engaged in the present — and passionately focused on planning for the future.

Read the full recap of our 75th anniversary milestone in the upcoming summer 2026 issue of “Spartan Magazine.”