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Common Questions
ACADEMICS
How can St. John support my child's individual needs?
Our small class sizes enable our teachers to learn each student's strengths and weaknesses and what methods of instruction work best for the education of your child. Our teachers are trained to differentiate instruction to meet individual needs and offer additional help and resources. Additionally, our Academic Dean, Sarah Lofsness, has a Master's Degree in elementary education with an emphasis in special education. She is excited to speak with you about how we can partner together to help your child succeed!
Is your school accredited?
Yes, we are! In 2014, we received our Exemplary Accreditation status through WELSSA. Accreditation means that we have demonstrated that we meet and exceed the standards that parents and educators expect from a high-quality school.
These standards range from what we teach in our classrooms to administration behind the scenes. If you have questions about accreditation or our standards for curriculum or administration, please ask our principal or academic dean.
What are the benefits of the multigrade classroom?
There are many advantages of being part of a multigrade classroom. Younger children in multiage groups strive to attain the academic levels they see the older children achieving while the older ones get the benefit of hearing and reviewing what was taught in previous grades. Children's social behaviors also mature along with an increased feeling of accomplishment and a stronger teacher-child relationship.
How is this school different from other schools?
We strive to offer a Christian education, creating intellectual curiosity in a safe environment, in a smaller classroom setting that gives every child the opportunity to excel.
What technology is in the classroom?
Each child in grades 3-8 receives a school-owned Chromebook to be used for instructional purposes.
Our kindergarten and grades 1-2 classrooms have interactive tablets which will sometimes be used to assist in instruction.
Each of our classrooms has an interactive CleverTouch board, which allows our teachers lots of flexibility in delivering instruction. These boards can function as interactive whiteboards, video screens, and instructional displays.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
At what age can my child begin at St. John?
We enroll children at any time throughout the year when they become 3 years old and toilet trained.
What are our preschool options?
Our three-year-old program offers five half-day and five full-day options. Our four-year-old program offers a five full-day option. If you have questions about what options may be available for you and your child, please ask. Our preschool teachers would love to talk with you and meet your child!
Do you offer full-day kindergarten?
Yes, we do! Our full-day program begins at 8:15 AM and concludes at 3:15 PM.
GENERAL
How do you provide a safe environment?
We live in a world full of dangers. At St. John we strive to provide safety for our children through typical 21st century ways - secure entry doors, camera systems, lock-downs drills, First Aid, CPR, AED training, etc. Perhaps more importantly, one of the blessings of a smaller school is that parents, faculty, and staff get to know each other - we aren't just masses of strangers dropping off children and driving off or just passing by in the halls; we get to know each other and look out for each other. In addition, we have our Safe Child Program so that adults who work and volunteer with our children undergo background checks and provide reference checks. We want your children to be as safe as our children.
Our St. John Safe Child Policy is available in the school office.
Our St. John Employee Code of Professional Conduct Policy is available in the school office.
The Illinois State Board of Education offers a Sexual Abuse Response and Prevention Resource Guide that is available from the school office and here.
Do you have to be a member of the church?
No, you do not have to be a member. We would love to have you join both our school and our church families. Since we want you to know what we teach, we ask our new parents to join us for a short class on what we believe and teach as a congregation and school.
Are you part of a school system?
Yes! The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) has been providing Christian education for over 150 years. Considering its early childhood, elementary, and high school system, the WELS manages the fourth largest private school system in the United States. Currently, WELS congregations operate nearly 400 early childhood centers, 300 elementary schools, and 27 high schools.
Locally, we are a Shoreland school, belonging to the association of northern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin congregations that own and operate Shoreland Lutheran High School. Over the years, many of our graduates have continued in their Christian education at Shoreland.
Do you offer before and after school care?
Yes, we do! Our Before-School Program opens at 6:30 AM. Our After-School Program is available until 6:00 PM. Our Before- and After-School programs are for an additional fee. You can find more information on our Extended Care page or by calling our office.
Documents
Coming Up
25
MAR
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NO SCHOOL - SPRING BREAK
Monday
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29
MAR
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GOOD FRIDAY TENEBRAE SERVICE
7 - 8 PM
Friday
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30
MAR
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NO SATURDAY WORSHIP
Saturday
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31
MAR
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EASTER SUNDAY
Sunday
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Full Calendar
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