History   St. Stephen's is a co-educational, non-denominational, boarding and day school, enrolling students from age 14-19 in grades 9-12 and for a postgraduate year. Founded in 1964, by Dr. John O. Patterson, former Headmaster of Kent School, St. Stephen's provides a demanding classical liberal arts education taking full advantage of its location in the historic center of Rome. The school is modeled on the American independent school tradition, and offers a rigorous program based on well-rounded and comprehensive preparation by each student in six major academic areas: English, Foreign and Classical Language, History, Experimental Science, Mathematics, Arts. Primary objectives are academic excellence, fellowship and cooperation among students and faculty, and the development of students as independent, responsible, and involved members of the larger world community. The curriculum prepares students for the American high school diploma, including a variety of Advanced Placements subjects, and the International Baccalaureate (IB) which allows students to enter universities worldwide.   1964-70 Villa S. Valentino Via Rubens - Parioli St. Stephen's School first location, in 1964, was the Villa S. Valentino, in the Parioli area. Here it functioned for six years until it moved to a new location on the Appian Way. After only two years, in 1972, the school moved to the present location in Via Aventina, on the so called "small Aventine" hill. Before the renovations for adapting it to a school, the building was still functioning as a monastery. 1970-72 Via Lungro - Quarto Miglio