Tracy Area Schools

Tracy Area Public Schools include the Little Panther’s Den, Tracy Area Elementary School and Tracy Area High School. • The Little Panther’s Den is owned by Tracy Area Public Schools and has a licensed child care center that off ers programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and before/ after school programs for children, up to age 12. The Den also includes a Head Start program for pre-school age students, along with the Little Panther’s pre-school, which has a morning class for ages 3 and 4 and an afternoon session for ages 4 and 5. • The elementary school has a Transitional Kindergarten program for kids 5 years old who are eligible to attend kindergarten but are not academically or socially ready. It’s an all-day, everyday program off ered in the school. TAES also off ers all-day, everyday kindergarten with about 16 kids in a class. Classroom sizes typically range from 16-20 students

SCHOOLS continued on page 21

Tracy Area Public Schools

PreSchool thru 12th Grades

Free Daily Breakfast for all students

Once a Panther…Always a Panther

Schools continued from page 20 from kindergarten through the 6th grade. The school has a comprehensive K-6 technology program and off ers 1:1 computer initiatives for all students in grades K-6. STEM and Project Learning off er a number of hands-on learning experiences. TAES also off ers physical education classes, music, character education and a strong all-around curriculum. Other services include a full-time nurse, Title Reading and Math, Reading and Math Corps and a full-time counselor, as well as an expansive playground for outdoor fun. • The high school in Tracy off ers Advanced Placement courses and other college courses through the College Now program. Students can obtain a total of 27 college credits through this program and 12 college credits through the AP program. TAHS, which continues to off er students 1:1 computer initiatives for all students in grades 7-12 and utilizes “Schoology” software, also off ers specialized vocational curriculum like electricity, HVAC, home repair, auto basics, ag construction, ag leadership, ag internships, horticulture, advanced cabinet making, metals, natural resources, ag engines and veterinary science. TAHS also off ers a number of elective courses, such as communications, music, business math, photography, band, choir, Spanish I, II and III and IT exploration. The after school program at TAHS is Monday through Thursday, from 3:05-4:30 p.m., and special bussing is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with drop-off s in Tracy, Balaton, Garvin and Currie. TAPS busses are also equipped with Wi-Fi Internet access for students on long bus rides. Students can access assignments and materials from their teachers.

ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL

St. Mary’s School is a Pre-K through grade 6 Catholic school recognized and supported mainly by the parishes of St. Mary’s in Tracy and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Currie. It is a fully accredited school through the Minnesota Non-Public Schools Accreditation Association. St. Mary’s School is an amazing option for elementary education in the greater-Tracy area. It is a school of academic excellence, integrating moral and spiritual values. This is achieved through a strong faith community, development of positive self-concept, open communication, and the integration of the Gospel Values (forgiveness, service, obedience, self-control, honesty, honor, responsibility, kindness, cooperation, and wisdom). By listening to and acting on the Word of the Gospel, we foster an atmosphere of respect, peace, and justice toward one another. St. Mary’s faith community is soundly rooted in the message of Christ. Its Catholic faith is evident throughout its curriculum and in its positive, nurturing school environment. The school’s faith is lived out through celebrations of the sacraments, in prayer, and in service toward one another. St. Mary’s School teaches to the whole child. In recognizing each student’s unique gifts, the school strengthens and nurtures his or her self-concept. The school demonstrates respect for one another and affi rms the dignity of each child, and is able to employ a variety of teaching techniques to help each child reach his or her highest potential, while at the same time celebrating individual diff erences.

St. Mary’s Catholic School and Church