St. Stephens Lutheran School, Hickory, North Carolina, is a private church related academic organization associated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Its educational program supports instruction for kindergarten through eighth grade, along with a "Five Star" rated preschool program serving three and four year olds. The school supports a student body of 262 children and is jointly accredited by the National Lutheran Schools Accreditation Association and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, as well as being licensed by the state of North Carolina.   Driven by its philosophy, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22.6), the school is diligent in providing a learning community responsive to a child's individuality.  In meeting this challenge, the school's curriculum is purposely designed to meet North Carolina state standards for all subject areas with exception to its added religious instruction.  Students are assessed yearly in the areas of reading and math through the use of the Stanford 10 testing instrument.  In blending the standards provided by both church and state, St. Stephens is mindful not to forget that all education is Christ-centered with a strong commitment to the Lord and possesses a value system grounded in Christian principles as defined by Lutheran doctrine.    St. Stephens acknowledges the importance of children understanding the components necessary in building upon the quality of life, including faith, integrity, truth, trust and self reliance.  As such, the school defines as its academic goals as:   1.         The spiritual development of the child includes growth in knowledge and faith of the Triune God.  Children will be exposed to and taught the history and heritage of the Christian church and the Lutheran faith. 2.         The intellectual development of the child includes growth in academic areas including the advancement of critical thinking skills, effective communication and interpersonal skills. 3.         The social development of the child includes growth in one's ability to live in society as a responsible citizen, interacting positively with others, identifying and accepting responsibility, understanding peer pressure, and growing in the areas of discernment, leadership and citizenship. 4.         The physical development of a child includes the understanding of the human body, appropriate nutrition, physical activity, and maintenance of good health. 5.         The emotional development of a child includes understanding feelings and emotions and developing self-control. 6.         The aesthetic development of a child includes growth in the appreciation and application of the beauty in nature in the areas of art, music, and drama.