Student Life

Community meeting

The Stevenson students and faculty gather in the lobby on Friday afternoons during Community Meeting to look back at the week that has been and look forward to the weeks ahead. The Student Council President and Vice President list off announcements and a clinician leads the group in a mindfulness activity. Winners of the prestigious Student of the Week award are presented their certificates by their advisors. Faculty and administration share any other relevant information with the student body heading into the weekend before dismissal. 

Field Day

The Stevenson student body participates in an annual late September Field Day at a campsite in northern New Jersey. Students work on team-building activities with their advising groups and enjoy a cookout. The day is especially meaningful for the seniors, all of whom tackle a challenging ropes course.

Rock Band

Perhaps the most unique class offering at Stevenson is Rock Band. Founded over ten years ago and run by history teacher Jose Sanchez, Rock Band provides students with musical aspirations the chance to cover famous songs and learn about music history. "My role essentially is to facilitate - to make things run smoothly for the kids, to inspire, to organize, to give them confidence, and to instill the values of hard work," Sanchez says. The band spends one class period four days a week practicing in the Stevenson basement gym. There are periodic performances in the building lobby once or twice per quarter for the entire Stevenson community to enjoy. The music that the band plays ranges from grunge to hip hop, from soul music to classic rock. In recent years, the band has performed songs by Nirvana, The Cranberries, Nina Simone, Alice in Chains, and the Notorious B.I.G, among others. Auditions for the band are held in the spring for the following fall and all interested students must sign up to audition. Adds Sanchez: "We come together in a real democratic, supportive, even familial way."

Field Trips

The Stevenson faculty take students on various trips that augment and bolster in-class learning. For example, Stevenson’s Economics teacher takes one of her classes on an annual trip to the Federal Reserve, our English teacher takes the seniors on an annual trip to the New York Public Library, so that students getting ready for college can sharpen their research skills, and our Art teacher often takes students to see exhibits at various museums around New York City.

Clubs

Stevenson offers a wide variety of clubs to its students. With an array of exciting options, current offerings include clubs like: Chess, Games, GSA, A Cappella, Art, Fashion and Cosmetology, Improv, Poetry, Student Council, Sew Crafty, Warhammer, and the Jewish Student Union. Anchored in student interests and paired with engaged faculty mentors, the clubs inspire creativity, expression, community engagement, and fun.

Ski Trip

The Stevenson School deeply values outdoor education and how it can contribute to a student’s well-being. Our school has a long-standing tradition of bringing students outside of the classroom and into the great outdoors. 

Stevenson students report that the ski trip helps elevate their self-confidence and interpersonal skills. This outdoor experience, together with the skills developed make the ski trip a valuable educational experience for both Stevenson students and faculty.

Thanksgiving meal

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Stevenson has a tradition of a schoolwide gathering to share Thanksgiving food. Members of the staff and administration serve a variety of food, and advising groups gather for the meal, fostering community togetherness before departing for the holiday.