Stonestown

St. Stephen School presents itself as an institution that “warmly welcomes families to experience a tradition of excellence in Catholic education.” However, our family’s experience did not reflect the values of inclusion, accountability, and compassion that are central to both Catholic teaching and the school’s mission.San Francisco is widely recognized as one of the most diverse cities in the Bay Area, and families reasonably expect its schools to reflect and celebrate that diversity. In our experience, St. Stephen’s student population appeared predominantly Caucasian, with comparatively limited representation from other backgrounds.My sister attended St. Stephen’s briefly but ultimately transferred because she was subjected to bullying related to the color of her skin. These concerns were repeatedly brought to the attention of teachers and administrators, yet no meaningful disciplinary action was taken to address the behavior.A Catholic education should emphasize dignity, respect, and the principle of treating others as you would like to be treated. When incidents of discrimination are overlooked, it sends a troubling message that such conduct is tolerated.Since transferring to another Catholic school, my sister has thrived in a more supportive environment. Unfortunately, when she encounters former St. Stephen’s classmates during athletic events, she is still met with staring, pointing, and laughter.Dismissing this conduct with the phrase “they’re just kids” avoids the accountability necessary to correct harmful behavior. Children learn their values from both their schools and their homes, and schools have a responsibility to reinforce kindness, respect, and inclusion for every student.