When does the school day begin and end? We begin school at 8:30am and dismiss at 3:30pm. We also offer before care and extended care for families who need to drop off before or pick up after these hours.
Does St. Mark offer additional learning and educational support for kids? Yes! We have a dedicated teacher-aide that will work with any student one-on-one. In addition, we utilize any public resources possible to help a child succeed in our school.
What are the benefits to multi-grade classrooms? There are several benefits to multi-grade classrooms and makes our school uniquely equipped to help kids excel in academics and social development. These benefits include:
- Peer Learning: Older students often mentor younger ones, reinforcing their own understanding of concepts while helping younger peers grasp new material. Conversely, younger students gain inspiration and guidance from their older classmates.
- Individualized Instruction: Teachers design lessons and activities that cater to a broader range of skill levels and abilities, fostering a more personalized learning experience.
- Community Building: Multi-grade settings encourage collaboration and mutual respect among students of varying ages, helping build strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.
- Continuity: Students often remain with the same teacher for multiple years, allowing teachers to deeply understand their strengths, needs, and learning styles.
- Flexibility: The curriculum can be adapted to allow students to progress at their own pace, ensuring that no one feels held back or left behind.
This approach to classrooms has been shown to foster leadership, empathy, and a sense of responsibility as it promotes a cooperative rather than competitive learning environment.
What will my kids learn about the Bible/God/faith? As faith is the core aspect in all we do at St. Mark, kids will learn about God in nearly every subject that’s taught. We also dedicate certain periods of the day to growing their knowledge of Jesus’ death and resurrection through religious courses and chapel.
Are there additional fees for the extra-curriculars (school musical, school play, extra-curricular sports, etc.)? No, this is all included in the tuition fee.
Are there volunteer opportunities for parents? Yes, we love parents who want to be involved! We offer several ways for parents to volunteer – from helping in the classroom, planning events, or being a lunch or recess volunteer.
What physical activities will my child participate in throughout the day? All kids will participate in two or more recesses as we encourage kids to explore their God-given talents and learn social and team skills. In addition, physical education is part of the curriculum for all grades, teaching your kids the basics of movement and games.
Do all the teachers have degrees? All teachers on staff have at least 4-year degrees from our teaching college, Martin Luther College, in New Ulm, Minnesota. Our teachers also regularly pursue additional continuing education through multi-day offsite conferences and meetings.
Does St. Mark offer school lunches? Yes – we offer an optional school lunch provided by a vendor. Children and their parents can choose to purchase lunches through this vendor or pack their own.
How will the school communicate with me as a parent? We find communication is critical to your child’s educational and social success. We communicate in various ways – newsletters and emails for classroom and school-wide needs. You’ll also quickly develop a relationship with your child’s teacher and find them easily approachable and accessible!