As image bearers of a relational God, human beings are designed to be connected to others. The SCS HOUSE system exists to accomplish two simple goals: Build community and positively influence the student experience at SCS. All students need to feel accepted and safe and will experience this in a positive and caring community.We want our students to know that they are part of something, are valuable, and are appreciated. The importance of this cannot be overstated.   By building this system to incorporate cross-grade level HOUSES, we are striving to build a stronger sense of belonging and togetherness. Our desire is that the community that grows at SCS encourages our students to engage in a deeper and more meaningful way, creating an environment on campus and in the classrooms that students want to be part of. Ultimately, our prayer is that students internalize what they learn through involvement in their HOUSES and apply that knowledge and experience to the greater community they live in.

Based on our school placement and inspired by God’s creation we elected to stay with the theme of the animals native to Montana.  Each HOUSE name reflects an animal native to Montana and their logo sets the animal in its natural habitat.

Each student in grades 9-12 will be placed in one of 6 different HOUSES: Bighorn, Cutthroat, Grizzly, Osprey, Timberwolf, and Whitetail. Each HOUSE will be led by two student leaders and at least one Faculty member. Student leaders are chosen, annually, by a committee of faculty and staff. In time, our plan is to expand the HOUSE system to include 7th and 8th grade students.

HOUSE meetings are meetings in which students get to know the members of their HOUSE, play games with only their house members, and discuss ways to foster community in the school.  HOUSE Rallies are competitions between the HOUSES designed to encourage House spirit.  HOUSES earn points for winning these events that go toward the HOUSE totals.  A HOUSE Cup Winner will be crowned at the end of the year.

Using criteria and being intentional about the desired outcomes HOUSES have a mix of students who excel in academics, sports, and other activities.  HOUSES are also balanced to have a mix of girls to boys and upper and lower classmen. To support the goal of community and fellowship once a student is sorted into their HOUSE they will remain in that HOUSE for the duration of their attendance at Stillwater.

HOUSES meet on Wednesdays rotating with Chapel.  There will be three Chapel meetings and one HOUSE meeting each month.  Larger HOUSE rallies, including all HOUSES, will occur every other month or every third month depending on the events of each month across the school year.

HOUSE meetings will be 40 minutes long and take place on designated Wednesdays. Under the direction of faculty leaders, small groups will discuss the character traits of the HOUSE acrostic, study what God says about those traits and talk about ways to foster those within the school community.  These meetings will also include ice-breakers and games, and practicing the HOUSE group’s chant.  HOUSE groups are designed to strengthen existing relationships between students and between the faculty leader and the students where mentorship and discipleship are priorities. 

HOUSE is a competition-based system. HOUSES will earn points by participating in events and winning events at HOUSE rallies.  Students can earn HOUSE points by demonstrating behaviors identified in our HOUSE Acrostic or behaviors that exemplify our core values. For example, if a student greets others by name, shakes an adult’s hand upon first meeting, or holds the door open for others.  Also, if a student is observed picking up trash that is not theirs,  they may also earn a point for their HOUSE. Points are also awarded for academic excellence and effort, attendance, and participation in HOUSE events. Please refer to the HOUSE acrostic and the core values on the Stillwater webpage.  The HOUSE Cup will be awarded to the HOUSE with the most points at the end of the year.