Testimonials/Reviews

"The Christ centered education from SSLS has helped to prepare the girls for the many challenges they have faced during their high school and college years"

From an early age, both of our girls were blessed with the gift of a very solid Christ centered education from SSLS. The girls were fortunate to have small class sizes, a professional yet loving atmosphere, personal attention, and strong academic training in every subject.

Our oldest daughter attended SSLS for seven years and entered as a second grader, while our youngest daughter was able to attend for all nine years. The Christ centered education from SSLS has helped to prepare the girls for the many challenges they have faced during their high school and college years. Growing up with a Christian Day School education has inspired both girls to be active in regular Bible classes, Christian youth camps, and Christian young adult activities.

God has blessed SSLS with wonderful pastors, teachers, students, parents, volunteers, board members, and congregational members. St. Stephen Lutheran School and Church was indeed the foundation upon which our children learned to know and trust their Lord and Savior. May God bless SSLS and allow it to grow and flourish as it continues to build FOUNDATIONS FOR LIFE!

- Mary, parent

I went to St. Stephen from 5th to 8th grade and it was a blast. The mix of ages in a K-8 school fosters understanding of and interest in younger students, making their older companions much more patient and loving siblings. I loved the experience of a small school with absolutely TONS of individual attention from teachers. This made it possible for advanced students to be challenged and to grow in a way a large public school setting could not, and for students who struggled more to receive real help in making progress, rather than slipping through the cracks of the public system. The family atmosphere encouraged individuality and expression, helping students learn to be themselves.

"The music, theater, and art programs at this school are taught with passion and expertise and given full attention"

The curricula catered to a wide variety of learning styles. Students learned visually and orally through lectures and reading, but also kinesthetically through dramatic and/or artistic representation of academic material. This involved students in the learning process in a much more direct and tactile way, and making subjects like literature and history come alive! One thing for which I feel particularly grateful in my foreign language studies in college was an entire class dedicated to english grammar. Knowledge of what terms like "past participle" mean helps me immensely in learning how to use the grammar of the languages i study. The music, theater, and art programs at this school are taught with passion and expertise and given full attention, which is especially important as public schools continue to slash such programs' funding. I attribute my intense love for and later success in the performing arts to the foundation laid by my experiences at St Stephen. Due to the school's smaller size, large scale sports programs are not feasible, but one can compensate through local independent leagues, and a great physical education program at St. Stephen encourages healthy lifestyles. The smaller student body allows for fun practices a larger school could never institute, such as school-wide field trips to everywhere from local parks to performances by the San Fransisco Symphony.

The teachers were kind, fun, and loving, and Principal Sara Pfeiffer has remained one of my personal friends and mentors. My time at SSLS helped make me a better student, a better artist, and a better person.

John, former student

"I'm so glad for my Christian education"

Looking back over the past seven years at SSLS, it's hard to describe what a lasting influence they had on my life. I feel that they prepared me for life, not only academically, but spiritually, in a way no other school could have. Sure I might have been more exposed to different troubles if I had gone to a public school, but if you think about it, how is that supposed to prepare me better than the Bible can for the sinful world around us? Exposure to sin only numbs our conscience towards it, where the Bible warns us against it and teaches us to preach to others. Yeah, our school may not be the biggest, but one of my favorite things about SSLS was the closeness between the students. A family attitude really was present, even when the school grew. SSLS not only taught me about God, but about manners, how to cook, how to read music, how to learn to love reading and poetry, and how to love your friends. I'm so glad for my Christian education.

Danielle, 8th grade student
This is taken from an editorial for the school newspaper published years ago.

"My child's first comment after he visited the first time was, 'The kids are really nice and the teachers listen to me.' So true."

My child's first comment after he visited the first time was, "The kids are really nice and the teachers listen to me." So true. I love that St. Stephen embraces the uniqueness of each child and allows the children to work at their own level; if a child is in 4th grade and doing 6th grade math, he sits in on the 6th grade math class. If a child is struggling in an area, they can work down a grade until they get the concept. There are a lot of enrichment opportunities from plays, to trips to the Tech Museum, to incredible science experiments...and socialization/manners exercises as well. One thing that we never did before St. Stephen was to act in a play. And everyone has a role, so the kids don't worry about what their classmates are going to say because they are acting...everyone does it! The plays are wonderful, too. I am very happy with my son's education at St. Stephen Lutheran School and feel that he is excelling in large part because of the exceptional staff and small class sizes.

Anonymous, parent
from www.greatschools.org

"Watching one of the frequent plays put on by the students and staff gives you the feeling that there is not one shy or 'left-out' student at this wonderful school."

Our daughter went to SSLS from 6th through 8th grade and we're so glad that she did. Of course the core academics are well taught but also stressed are respect, self-control, moral ethics and genuine concern for others. The teachers are wonderful and caring and the smaller atmosphere gives them time for more one-on-one with the students. The students are encouraged to work to and beyond their individual potentials, stretching their minds in all areas, not just academically but also in the arts, music and creativity. Watching one of the frequent plays put on by the students and staff gives you the feeling that there is not one shy or "left-out" student at this wonderful school. No one is ignored and the love and mutual respect between students and teachers is obvious. This is a wonderful choice for a child's educational needs. They leave St. Stephen with a good academic and moral base with which to continue into high school and life.

Vickie, parent

"The upper graders end up being good role models for the younger kids and it truly gives a 'family' feel to the school."

My son attends St. Stephen Lutheran and it continues to be a rich environment in which to grow on a daily basis. The teachers are talented in working with each child's individual strengths as well as challenging them to explore new avenues in learning. The strong Christian leadership provides a caring, nurturing school where respect and empathy are taught. The various grade levels share recess and this provides a wonderful opportunity for the children to interact. The upper graders end up being good role models for the younger kids and it truly gives a "family" feel to the school. I feel our family has been very blessed to have our son's education take place at St. Stephen Lutheran School! I would highly recommend this wonderful school to anyone looking for a strong Christian education for their children.

Susan, parent
from www.greatschools.org

"Our king Jesus Christ is alive and His presence is felt in a loving and caring environment that is Saint Stephen Lutheran School."

St. Stephen Lutheran School (SSLS) is absolutely the finest school one could ever send their child(ren) to. The class size is small so each student can receive personalized attention. A big advantage of small class size is the ability to accommodate each student's strengths (and weaknesses.) If a student is ahead or behind in something, you can work with the teachers to best address your student's needs. (E.G., our son does well in math so as a fourth grader last year, he was in sixth grade math.)

Most importantly, and what sets Christianity apart from every other religion in the world, is that Christ's tomb is empty (He has risen!) Our king Jesus Christ is alive and His presence is felt in a loving and caring environment that is Saint Stephen Lutheran School. I cannot more highly recommend SSLS. I could go on for several more pages about how great SSLS is and how my kids have benefitted, but this will have to suffice for now. If anyone has any questions, please don't hesitate to call the school - everyone there is very nice and they would love to talk to you. The proof of my love for SSLS is that we have been there now for eight years and counting.

Jeff, parent
from www.yelp.com

"good interaction between the
K-8 grade levels"

I have loved having both my children at this school! It's just the kind of school I would wish them in. This school goes above & beyond in flexibility & creativity to work in the child who has difficulty learning! This was the case with my child. The atmosphere of this school is just what I wanted for my kids--warm, friendly, respect between individuals. There's a good interaction between the K-8 grade levels, a plus as they are comfortable around different ages. Liked the activities my children experienced--field trips, plays, science fairs, etc. The tuition is more affordable than most. Have been so happy with this school. My kids have come out of their experience at this school the better for it.

Anonymous, parent
from www.greatschools.org

"family-like setting"

This is a great school with excellent teacher/student ratio, family-like setting, balanced activities and well thought school program. Our daughter has been attending it for 2 years and we are really happy. It is also very affordable compared to other private schools.... With our younger daughter growing up, I am glad I will have no need to hunt for a good school again.

Anonymous, parent
from www.greatschools.org

"[The teachers and parents] certainly work together as a team"

We're so blessed and our boys have been very fortunate to be educated by St. Stephen Lutheran School. The teachers are absolutely dedicated and they work so hard to help train our boys both academically and morally. More importantly, the teachers always maintain an open communication with the parents and we certainly work together as a team. Despite how small the school is, both my older boys were well prepared for public high school when they graduated from St Stephen since first grade. Our boys' successes have a whole lot to do with the education/moral training from St Stephen! Our youngest son still attends St. Stephen and he enjoys his teachers and friends there very much. We hope other kids will come to St Stephen and reap the same benefits as our boys.

Marjorie, parent

"I learned from life experiences and grew in the amazing atmosphere that the teachers and volunteers made for us"

St. Stephen Lutheran School is no ordinary grade school. I was a student at SSLS for 7 years from kindergarten through 6th grade, and I wish I could have stayed there longer. I was there when it all started in 1995 with only 7 students and since then this school has grown in leaps and bounds. This school has grown into such a thriving atmosphere for so many students and I am so thankful for all that it has given to its students.

The Christian education that we received was such an amazing tool for our lives. We were encouraged and challenged in our academic lives, and that helped us all as we moved on to another school. Over the 7 years that I attended SSLS, I learned so much, not only academically, but I grew as a person. I learned from life experiences and grew in the amazing atmosphere that the teachers and volunteers made for us. I have so many amazing memories from St. Stephen and can't imagine where I would be in life without this school. I met so many friends there that I will continue to have for the rest of my life. St. Stephen is such an amazing school with so much to offer their children and I am so blessed that I was a part of it for 7 years. It truly changed my life in so many ways for the better, and I couldn't be more thankful!!

Emily, former student

"The teachers truly enjoy seeing the children grow not only mentally but also spiritually."

The teachers are very talented and truly enjoy seeing the children grow not only mentally but also spiritually. The parents also play a big part in making this school amazing, which is always encouraging to me. One of the benefits I noticed of having a small school is the frequent interaction among the grade levels. The younger students really look up to the older students, and the older students understand that they have the opportunity to set a Christian example for the younger students.

Anonymous, volunteer
from www.greatschools.org

"I love the Christian education/ atmosphere"

I went to St. Stephen Lutheran for 5 years (between 4th and 8th grade) and I would not take back that experience for anything! I looked forward to going to school because I learned in a fun way and was friends with everyone in the school. I think I got a more unique education there than I would have at a "normal" junior high being able to get more personal attention from the teachers (the Amazing Miss Pfeiffer!) and a wide range of students. I love the Christian education/atmosphere and how it was carried out in the way teachers related to students and students related to each other!

Brittany, former student
from www.yelp.com