LEARNING to LOVE GOD and
LOVE NEIGHBOR
A CHRISTIAN LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION ST FOR THE 21 CENTURY St. James Lutheran School serves students in preschool through eighth grade. Our curriculum and culture are expressed through four disciplines — Academic, Faith, Character and Health. In this way we develop the cognitive, spiritual, social/emotional and physical attributes of the person. All of this takes place in the context of a Christian community. Our mission is to provide a challenging academic education and teach Christian values to prepare our students for success throughout life. Students are exposed to a range of academic disciplines that require them to master specific information, to be able to think critically about the information, and to develop the skills to creatively express themselves using the information.
When I think of St. James, I think of caring. I think of love. The teachers take the approach of treating each child separately, really nurturing them, giving them a foundation of love first. St. James Parent
The disciplines preparing a student for success in the competitive environment of the 21st century include language (grammar and reading), literature, mathematics, sciences (natural and applied), history, physical education, art and music. The education process is founded in the truth of Jesus Christ as Savior as presented in the Holy Bible. We teach that the fullness of our humanity is expressed in baptism and nurtured by the Holy Spirit to develop each person’s potential to live in vocation, loving God and loving neighbor.
10:1
Enrichment Opportunities
Student Teacher Ratio
Scouting • Piano • Guitar • Violin Math, Chess and other Academic Clubs
We embrace different learning styles and ability levels by differentiating classroom instruction for effective teaching and learning. Our faculty are experts at proactively planning lessons based upon students’ readiness, interests and learning profiles.
24 Zip Codes
ST. JAMES
Represented
Our families come from a variety of Chicago neighborhoods and have a wide range of ethnic, socioeconomic and denominational backgrounds. The uniqueness and diversity of our students is blended in a community in service to God and our neighbors.
Founded in
1857
St. James Celebrates over 150 years as the Oldest, Continuously Operating School in Chicago.
National Lutheran School Association Northern Illinois District - LCMS • Illinois State Board of Education • Sheffield Neighborhood Association • Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce
Accreditation and Affiliations
History 1857
1865
St. James begins as a society of German immigrants who start a school at Willow and Burling Streets
The Civil War Ends
1871
1874
1881
The Chicago Fire
A school site is added at Fullerton and High (Janssen) Street
A school site is added at Hoyne and Wellington
1885
1903
First Fremont female teacher is and Dickens property is hired bought for $11,500
1905 The schools consolidate at Fremont and Dickens, total building cost is $25,000
1909
1913
School First expands Christmas Eve program from six grades to given by eight school children
1920 320 students, classes are still taught in German
15
86% of Students in Gr. 1-8 are Involved in
Athletics
Tech-it-Out MacBooks are available to all classrooms, as well as iPads in early childhood and lower elementary grades, and Promethian ActivBoards in each elementary and middle school classroom.
Average Class Size
Cross Country • Basketball Volleyball • Track and Field Marathon Challenge
OVERVIEW Top High Schools
There are many quality choices for high school in the City of Chicago. To help each family determine the right choice for them our Education Counselor reviews a student’s abilities and skills and guides a family toward the high school that is best suited for them.
Recent Graduates Have Gone to St. Ignatius • Lincoln Park • Luther North Culver Academy • Wheaton North Niles West • Senn • Whitney Young Hope Academy • Mount Carmel • Walter Payton
1923
1929
1954
1971
1980
Stock New Kindergarten Enrollment Market addition program is Preschool reaches program is crashes costs started 400 started $145,000 students
2000 St. James repositions itself and embarks on growth strategy
Testing Above Grade Level
72.4% 71.9% of Students in Reading
Marty Maverick
of Students in
Math
MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) testing at St. James begins in kindergarten and continues through the eighth grade. Students are tested in the fall, winter and spring to measure progress throughout the year. Rather than teaching to a test, our teachers use the test to aid teaching by helping them differentiate instruction. Additionally, students in sixth and seventh grade take the Stanford Achievement Test for high school admissions.
2002
2004
2007
Ground breaking for school expansion
Dedication of a new gymnasium and four new classrooms
The school celebrates 150 years and is the oldest, continuously operating school in Chicago
Today Students learn to love God and love neighbor while receiving a Christian liberal arts education for the 21st century
ACADEMICS We align our education outcomes with the Common Core Standards adopted by the State of Illinois and augmented by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Our curriculum seeks to use the best research-based strategies to challenge students for excellence in the learning process. Success is evidenced by a student’s ability to master knowledge, critical thinking and creative expression while fulfilling the Standards. Early Childhood The Early Childhood Experience recognizes an important characteristic of child development – no two students grow and develop the same way or at the same time. Because a child learns through exploration and discovery, we facilitate purposeful play through hands-on experiences related to engaging, thematic units. The role of play, as research shows, provides constructive opportunities for students to investigate their world, which develops scientific thinking. Investigation also allows children to develop understandings of cause and effect, change and patterns, and properties of form and function. This is how our early childhood students learn to draw conclusions and generate theories about their world and refine them. Elementary In the Elementary grades students develop reading, writing and mathematical skills. These enable children to more effectively investigate, describe, measure and communicate findings about the world in which they live. Students progress from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” Young mathematicians consider various algorithms for computation on their way to becoming expert problem
solvers. Junior scientists learn to apply the scientific method as they investigate the wonders of God’s creation. In social studies, students explore their families, neighborhoods, communities and states. The result is a well-rounded individual with a basic grasp of history and an appreciation of other cultures. Regardless of the curricular area, the elementary student is provided with daily opportunities to learn by doing. A variety of hands-on experiences help students make the leap from concrete lessons to more symbolic and abstract concepts. In the process, St. James students grow as independent learners and effective team players. Middle School Our Middle School educators are specialists in their content areas and advocate for every student to ensure success. Departmentalized instruction, student accountability and project-based group work are all part of a learning process which fosters confidence and self-assurance. Middle School mathematicians move through transitional math to pre-algebra, algebra and geometry. Science highlights include a fascinating investigation of forensics and an annual trip to the Concordia University Science Olympics. Writers’ Workshops and novel-based reading units highlight the integration of reading and writing for lovers of great literature. Social studies includes the study of history, geography, civics and current events. A variety of field trips including three days in the woods at Walcamp, a visit to Springfield and a trip to Washington, D.C. provide opportunities to apply their learning in practical ways. The end result of our Middle School Program is responsible students who are able to organize and interpret information, make difficult and important decisions and confidently continue their learning process in Chicago’s premier high schools.
Early Childhood
Elementary
Build a solid understanding of letters and sounds
English-Language Arts Develop fluency, phonetic skills, comprehension and a love for reading
Develop and foster reading skills Write to communicate in various ways (Handwriting Without Tears, Writer’s Workshop, Six Traits of Writing) Explore the Spanish language Experience scientific exploration and inquiry Build numerical understanding through number recognition, counting, measuring, estimating and graphing
Cultivate skills for effective communication: penmanship, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar and creativity Experience a variety of genres for reading (especially nonfiction) and writing, enhanced by the Six Traits of Writing program Mathematics Build problem solving ability and the prerequisite arithmetic skills Participate in hands-on activities that introduce and support the ability to solve real world problems and gain exposure to a variety of traditional and non-traditional algorithms using Everyday Math’s spiraled curriculum
Middle School Social Studies Develop map reading skills Demonstrate an awareness of current events Appreciate the impact of culture, geography and history on the family, the neighborhood, the community and the state/region Science Gain factual knowledge in the sciences (life, earth and space, physical) Apply basic steps of the Scientific Method Demonstrate safe and effective use of scientific problem solving tools Religion Physical Education/Health Fine Arts Choir, Music Appreciation, Art World Language
English-Language Arts Develop critical reading skills using a variety of reading genres integrated with topics in other subject areas Refine grammar and writing skills through use of the Writer’s Workshop Mathematics Reinforce elementary mathematical skills and apply them to algebra and geometry Develop algebra and geometry skills appropriate for advanced placement in high school Social Studies Recognize the broad themes of American history Understand the history, philosophy and development of American government Apply geographic skills to the study of world cultures and locations
Develop an interest and the critical thinking skills necessary for the study of current events Science Build on the foundations of elementary science with an additional emphasis on physics, chemistry and forensics Apply the scientific method in group and individual problem solving situations Religion Physical Education/Health Fine Arts Band, Choir, Music Appreciation, Art World Language
The teachers are always there to help you whenever you need it. You can come before school or after school and talk to a teacher if you’re having a hard time or if you’re worried about a quiz or a test. But, what really makes St. James special is how they combine Christianity with academics. The teachers find ways to tie it in so we’re focusing on both academics and our faith instead of just one part and forgetting the other. We’re doing both. St. James Middle School Student
FAITH We teach age appropriate Bible stories in every class and grade level. We believe the Bible is the inerrant word of God and tells us the story of our brokenness and God’s work through Jesus Christ to fix the whole creation. Early Childhood classes emphasize God’s love for us and His work through family and school to take care of us. At the Elementary level, students learn how God works to redeem, heal and equip us to live as His agents caring for others. By middle school the focus is on applying the stories to life as Bible study, mission, Christian history, and comparative religion enter the curriculum. The center of the life of a follower of Christ is in public worship. While it is our hope that every family at St. James Lutheran School has a Chicago church home, we still find great value in the gathering of our students to receive God’s grace and sing His praise. Chapels are a weekly assembly in small groups to focus our students on God as the provider of all good things and the author of their life and salvation. Through age appropriate songs, prayers and messages, our students learn to worship and appreciate the importance of grace and forgiveness.
Early Childhood
Elementary
Middle School
Learn about God and His love for us
Locate Bible stories using the table of contents
Understand the Bible as the history of God’s work
Become familiar with Bible stories and songs
Learn the books of the Bible in their presented order
Begin to apply the Bible to ethical and moral living
Pray before snacks and meals
Become familiar with chapter and verse referencing
Develop an appreciation for missions in a diverse and conflicted world
Participate in Jesus time and chapel Self-initiate prayers
Reflect on Bible events in the context of their own life Learn that God calls us into vocation through baptism Discover how our vocation is lived out in four estates: home, church, work and world
Participate in Bible study as a regular life event Understand an overview of Christian history Learn about Christian denominations and world religions Learn to use a Concordance and other Bible exploration tools
CHARACTER Integrity is not something we possess on our own. It is learned and modeled. The biblical values we promote and teach our students are hospitality, mercy, service, generosity and witness. Each of these concepts introduces our students to the importance of caring for others and serving their needs. The discipline to form good character begins at home and moves through the day at school and play requiring a strong school/family cooperative effort to consistently model appropriate behaviors and forgiveness. Positive Discipline At St. James, we incorporate Positive Discipline with our biblical beliefs to keep God’s love and forgiveness at the center of each and every conversation with students. The Positive Discipline Classroom Management Model is aimed at developing mutually respectful relationships. It teaches adults to employ kindness and firmness at the same time, and is neither punitive nor permissive. We make sure that each conversation ends with one party forgiving the other, just as Christ forgives us. Service St. James students learn to appreciate other people and their needs through specific serving events and opportunities to
help develop their compassion and empathy for others. Specific events may change annually, but some serving projects we have done and plan to do include making lunches for a homeless shelter, collecting Thanksgiving turkeys for a food pantry, visiting local nursing homes, supporting oversees missionary partners and hosting developmentally disabled adults for lunch and Bible study. At the early childhood level, we want students to be aware that God works through each of us to care for other people. As students get older they learn more about specific human care needs and begin to interact with individuals sharing God’s love in the process. Our objective is to foster a desire to serve the needs of others with the love of God without judgment or fear. Mission For our older students we provide the opportunity to learn about other countries and cultures through connecting directly with mission partners. Communicating with actual field missionaries in places like Sierra Leone, Singapore and India, helps to expand the boundaries of responsibility and develop an appreciation for life here in the United States.
Early Childhood
Elementary
Middle School
Learn to create and follow classroom and school rules
Exhibit self-control in the classroom and on the playground
Accept responsibility for personal actions
Participate in classroom jobs Work independently and cooperatively by learning turn-taking, negotiation and compromising skills
Demonstrate genuine effort in school work Show respect and care for one’s own and others’ property
Follow multi-step directions carefully Communicate effectively and in a God-pleasing manner: spoken, written and electronic
Develop a positive self-esteem
Work and play cooperatively
Learn to except and value others for their unique God given gifts
Communicate respectfully Listen attentively
Complete school work neatly, accurately and on time
Develop personal responsibility and a desire to care for their classroom and school
Practice daily forgiveness in conflict resolution
Function effectively as a teammate in group work
Participate in supervised service opportunities
Accept individual differences and resolve conflicts through forgiveness and restoration
Encourage compassion for others in and around the St. James Community
Accept suggestions and learn from mistakes
Organize service opportunities
I am so thankful for the opportunity to teach at St. James Lutheran School. Not only am I able to educate my students, but I am also able to share the love of God our father and His son Jesus Christ. St. James Preschool Teacher
HEALTH Every student at St. James has the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of physical activities. Since there is a direct relationship between mental development and physical health, daily exercise is incorporated into the routines of every classroom. Thus, a life-long appreciation for physical fitness begins early as students are exposed to many different games and sports. In addition to physical activities, a healthy lifestyle is promoted through classroom instruction including such topics as nutrition, safety, hygiene and basic physiology. Students learn about food groups and healthy eating habits. They learn about medicines, drugs, alcohol and making safe choices. Students also learn about personal cleanliness and disease prevention. In addition, students learn about their bodies and God’s marvelous plan for how all our parts function as a unit.
Early Childhood
Elementary
Middle School
Acquire and develop movement skills using fine and gross motor skills
Learn skill proficiency and knowledge of rules for basic team sports
Learn basic skills and knowledge of rules for selected team sports
Understand principles of health promotion, illness prevention and safety
Develop good sportsmanship in competition
Demonstrate sportsmanship in non-structured and competitive settings
Participate in daily unstructured play Learn body control through techniques of locomotion, yoga and hand-eye coordination exercises
Demonstrate physical fitness Understand principles of mental and emotional health Understand principles of community and environmental health
Coordinate body movement through song and big body play
Participate in daily recess and physical education
Athletics: cross country and marathon challenge
Athletics: cross country, basketball and marathon challenge
Develop healthy lifestyle habits (nutrition, exercise, hygiene and safety) Understand the importance of making safe and healthy lifestyle choices as a young adult Participate in expanded daily physical education Athletics: cross country, basketball, volleyball, track, bowling and marathon challenge
COMMUNITY
Life at St. James is more than going to school each morning and home at 3:00 p.m. We promote a healthy social life in community with other people. From after school programs and enrichment opportunities to the many festivals and family events we sponsor, all our families are encouraged to make connections with other St. James families. Community is more than simply getting together with friends. We are created to be social beings living in community and need to learn and practice behaviors and skills that foster confidence and self control. Life in community offers a safe place to grow by experiencing the daily challenges
of learning to get along, working and playing cooperatively outside the classroom, and providing the family a place to exercise its dynamic outside the home. All of our events are supervised by professional staff and are meant to provide good, safe, wholesome activities for the whole family. St. James fulfills our need to be part of a close community while living in the great City of Chicago with all of its opportunities.
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Opening Worship Service Block Party Curriculum and Cocktails Marathon Cheer Station Harvest Festival Oktoberfest Trivia Night Barnes and Noble Bookfair Family Nights
Christmas Festival Living Nativity Advent Services Ladies’ Tea Party Chili Cook-Off Family Nights
Maverick Week Easter Worship and Egg Hunt Operetta The Traveler’s Gala Sports Banquet Baccalaureate Service Closing Chapel Graduation Family Nights
Vacation Bible School Garden Walk New Student Welcome Event Early Childhood Home Visits School Supply Drop-Off
A DAY IN THE LIFE
8:15 a.m. Students and parents are greeted by staff at the beginning of the school day.
9:00 a.m. Kindergartners start the day with Morning Meeting where they discuss the calendar, days of the week, weather, job helpers and schedule. This helps prepare them for the transitions and activities of the day.
10:20 a.m. Will works independently on World Language using one of the many MacBooks available for student use.
1:00 p.m. In middle school language arts, students discuss The Outsiders. Novel-based units are an important part of St. James curriculum, teaching students to be critical thinkers with a love for literature.
1:45 p.m. Elementary students participate in song during weekly chapel. Music is an important part of the daily experience, whether singing in chapel or participating in band or choir.
2:30 p.m. Algebra students learn about exponential decay. Math is emphasized at every level of our curriculum.
11:00 a.m. During recess Ashley learns to be a helper and take care of the school. Students learn that everything belongs to God and we are His caretakers.
11:30 a.m. Rebekah, Thirza and Catie catch-up while anxiously waiting to go back to class after a fire drill. Safety drills happen throughout the year so students know what to do during in case of an emergency.
12:30 p.m. Fourth graders start their volleyball unit in physical education using balloons. Balloons allow the students to work on proper technique and hand-eye coordination before practicing with real volleyballs.
TO SEE MORE VISIT US ONLINE /stjameslutheran @stjchicago
3:15 p.m. During our Extended Day Program Zachary, Rachel and Molly learn more about God and His love for us by listening to stories from the Action Bible.
4:45 p.m. Anna, Madison, Julia and Maggie smile for a picture before an evening basketball game. Participation in athletics is encouraged as an opportunity to cultivate confidence in team and individual settings.
@stjchicago school.stjames-lutheran.org
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
ST. JAMES LUTHERAN SCHOOL 2101 N. Fremont Street Chicago, IL 60614 773.525.4990 www.stjames-lutheran.org