School

Early Childhood Program

In our early childhood classes we strive to build a community where everyone feels loved and accepted. We believe play is essential to early learning. Play is a great way for children to learn and develop ideas about the world. It helps them build the skills necessary for critical thinking and leadership. It’s how they learn to solve problems and to feel good about their ability to learn.

Children learn the most from play when they have skilled teachers who are well-trained in understanding how play contributes to learning. As students progress through basic skills, they are given lessons on the letters of the alphabet, the sounds, and numbers to 20. The teacher incorporates lots of movement, music, free play, art, science, social studies, and friendship building skills into the lessons as well. Advanced students are taught letter blending to make words and some are reading by the end of the year. Children are taught according to their individual levels. Religion is a vital component – taught through Bible stories so the children learn the love of Jesus, our Savior.

Elementary Program

Our Multi-Age Approach: Students remain with the same teacher for more than one year. Multi-age classrooms are made up of a mix of abilities and ages. Students have the advantage of being able to learn at their own pace. All subjects are taught at the same time throughout all classrooms, which allows students who are ahead to advance to the next classroom to study at a higher level for subjects they excel in. This also goes in the reverse for kids who need extra help.

Benefits Multi-Age Classrooms:

• Developmentally appropriate, child centered, continuous learning
• Integrated Curriculum
• Attention to the education of the whole child

In multi-age classrooms, all children, even the older children, are on their own continuum of learning. The curriculum is opened up for ALL the children. The older child is able to go as far as he or she is able to go just as the younger child is. Oftentimes in a same-grade classroom, some children who have accomplished the curriculum, become stagnate or get bored with learning things they already know. This does not happen in the multi-age program. Students are able to progress beyond the traditional curriculum limits because Hope Lutheran School is designed to teach each child at their own individual pace.

Children also benefit socially and emotionally. Older children have the opportunity to mentor younger children. This allows all the older children to gain confidence and increase their self-esteem. Without the strong competitions of same-age classrooms, older children are free to cooperate and help others.