Academics & Curriculum

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
(Proverbs 9:10)

CURRICULUM & PRACTICE
“All of the decisions on curriculum, textbooks, field trips, and pedagogical approaches are made aspiring to deliver a God-honoring education in Christ.” – Jesse Ristvedt (Kindergarten Teacher)

St. Mark Lutheran School is a traditional school that teaches all fundamental subjects of education (grammar, math, science, social studies, etc.) while also including art and music as primary subjects that all students will participate in regularly. All subjects taught at St. Mark support the daily study of the Holy Scriptures along with age-appropriate catechetical instruction in the Lutheran tradition. We teach using a pedagogy and curriculum inspired by the Classical Christian educational system.

St. Mark values and uses methods of the traditional classroom learning approach as the foundation of our education. Our classrooms are teacher-led. This means the teacher decides the shape and pace of learning for the class while also utilizing elements of student-led educational models such as structured group learning and collaborative projects when appropriate and helpful.

The utilization of technology in our classrooms and curriculum is necessary to prepare our students for the future. We live in an age of technology and our students must learn to utilize it in a healthy and God-honoring way. At the same time, the risks and harm that can come with the overuse or abuse of technology are also well documented and established. Technology does not always make teaching or learning easier or better. At St. Mark, children are taught to read from and enjoy a book, write well on paper, and how to make appropriate eye-contact in verbal and articulate conversation before they are taught to type, scroll, or swipe.

In summary, all of the decisions on curriculum, textbooks, field trips, and pedagogical approaches are made aspiring to deliver a God-honoring education in Christ, inspired by the words of St. Peter when he wrote to the church and said, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:3-8).

PHILOSOPHY
“We ensure that all subjects of study and all activities at St. Mark Lutheran School teach Jesus Christ, for ‘Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.’” (1 Corinthians 1:24). – Rev. Eric Jay | Senior Pastor

At St. Mark Lutheran School, we believe, teach, and confess that God, as the creator of all things, is the source of all knowledge and wisdom. Without God there would not only be no thing, but no knowledge to be known, learned, or understood. God created man and woman in His image, blessed them, and gave them dominion over His creation so that we would grow in our knowledge of His love, goodness, and beauty.

“For his [God’s] invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.”
(Romans 1:19-20).

We did not create ourselves, nor did knowledge create itself. Both the human mind that teaches and acquires knowledge and the knowledge itself are from God. Therefore, a knowledge of God is the nature and goal of any education that aspires after truth.

We believe, teach, and confess that the fall of mankind into sin (Genesis 3:7), and the sinful nature we all have from birth (Psalm 51:5), has not only corrupted our hearts and minds but also the nature of God’s perfect creation (Romans 8:22). Because of this, we are not able to know God (Romans 3:11-12) or acquire true knowledge and understanding without God’s direct intercession and merciful help.

We believe, teach, and confess that Jesus Christ is the Savior of humanity from sin and death, and that only through faith in Him as the resurrected Lord can we acquire the knowledge of truth and eternal worth that our hearts and minds desire. “He [Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:15-20).

Whereas all things were created through Christ and for Christ and God’s plan of salvation for all of creation is to “unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth” (Ephesians 1:10), we ensure that all subjects of study and all activities at St. Mark Lutheran School teach Jesus Christ, for “Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:24).

PURPOSE
“Education is not a subject and does not deal in subjects. It is instead a transfer of a way of life.” – G.K. Chesterton

The purpose of St. Mark Lutheran School is to serve Jesus Christ by providing the highest level of excellence in Christian education to ensure our students grow in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and that He would reveal His love and salvation for the world through the excellence of their lives lived in the faith, knowledge, and virtue of Christ.

We strive for excellence in all that we do because we believe that all of life should be lived in service to our most excellent Lord and God, Jesus.

Our Christian convictions necessitate that the purpose of education transcend the mere acquisition of knowledge and ascend to the goal of revealing God in Christ through the knowledge He has made available to us. This means that our academic standards for education are guided not only by “state standards” established by the Nebraska Department of Education but are ultimately created and judged by the highest and eternal standards of Christian virtue, morality, wisdom, goodness, and beauty according to God’s Word.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)

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Activities & Operations

In addition to their daily academic curriculum, students at St. Mark Lutheran school will participate in a variety of other activities that will work towards educating the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.

Daily Chapel
As a Christian and distinctively Lutheran school, we believe, as the Bible says in Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

Students will begin each day in chapel with St. Mark’s pastor(s) and teachers in prayer, devotion, and worship in and under the Word of God. This is where wisdom and knowledge begin, and so it is how we begin each day.

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday chapels are shorter services (15 minutes) that are focused on preparing our hearts and minds for learning through prayer and a brief devotion.
• Wednesday chapels are longer (30 minutes) to serve as a worship service for our students and staff together and to afford more opportunities for learning about the worship service and for students to participate in it.

Parents, family, and members of St. Mark are always invited to all St. Mark chapel services.

Music and Art
As articulated in the description of our Practice and Pedagogy, St. Mark considers the subjects of music and art to be “core” subjects of study that all students should benefit from throughout their K-5 education. In its classical meaning, “art” is knowledge (or “science”) applied; whether that be a computer program, a medical diagnosis, a painting, or a symphony. Music and the physical arts both offer uniquely powerful benefits in education. Click here to read more about why music is essential to an excellent education. Click here to read more about why art is essential to an excellent education.

Physical Education & Sports
Physical education is a core subject taught at St. Mark. In addition to this education, St. Mark will provide opportunities for involvement in team sports (i.e., basketball, volleyball, soccer, etc.) outside of normal school hours. We are still working through the creation and management of these programs and will post more information as it becomes available.

Extra-Curricular Activities
There is great value in many other subjects of study and practice that can bolster a student’s education in an extra-curricular capacity. We are still working through possible extra-curricular activities and also look forward to seeing what our students are passionate about.

Field Trips
Field trips serve to bring hands-on experience and real-world application to the education our students receive. They also provide the opportunity for our students to learn in and serve the community in which they live and learn.

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Tuition

Annual Tuition
Tuition for St. Mark Lutheran School is $5,200.00. All tuition is assessed annually.

Registration Fee & Schedule
An annual, one-time, registration fee of $500 is due upon registration for enrollment. The registration fee is non-refundable, without exception. Full Registration for enrollment for grades K-3 open February 1^st – 18^th for current students and members of St. Mark.  Open registration begins February 19th.

Enrollment
Registration is not enrollment. Registering your child for St. Mark Lutheran School does not mean your student is enrolled. The enrollment process is separate from and can only begin once the student is fully registered. Information on how to enroll your student will be sent to you once the registration process and payment are complete.

Enrollment Prioritization
St. Mark will offer priority enrollment to the following groups:

• First Priority: Members of St. Mark Lutheran Church who are active and in good standing.
• Second Priority: Families currently enrolled in our Preschool and Childcare Center.
• Third Priority: Open enrollment to the general public.

Discounts and Scholarships
Parents/students must be enrolled in automatic bill e-pay to receive any discount or scholarship.
St. Mark offers several different discounts and scholarships to make our education as affordable as possible. All discounts and scholarships are subject to change at any time and without notice.

There are two discount types: “need-based” and “payment” discounts.

“Need-based” discounts will be awarded based on a family’s verifiable financial need. All need-based discounts are determined by an outside and independent organization. It is the parents responsibility to begin and complete the Need-based discount process.

“Payment” discounts are applied to select tuition payment schedules.

†Limited application. See Limitations below.

Scholarships are funded by the congregation of St. Mark Lutheran Church, and are awarded based on the criteria outlined below. Please see the Limitations and Scholarship Eligibility descriptions following the list of available scholarships below. All scholarships are applied to the total annual tuition amount of $5,200.00

†Limited application. See Scholarship Eligibility below.

Limitations

Need-based discounts cannot be combined with Payment discounts or Scholarships and can only be combined with the Parent Volunteer Hours scholarship.

Any Scholarship can only be combined with the Parent Volunteer Hours scholarship. Students will be awarded the single highest scholarship for which they are eligible, which will only be combined with the Parent Volunteer Hours scholarship if the parent is approved for volunteering. See Scholarship Eligibility descriptions below.

St. Mark Member scholarships are awarded based on the eligibility of the parent(s), grandparent(s), or legal guardian(s) of the students enrolled. Students will not be eligible for member discounts based on the membership of relatives other than parent(s), grandparent(s), or legal guardian(s) of the students enrolled.

Payment discounts (except the Automatic Tuition Payment discount) will be combined with Scholarship awards.

The Automatic Tuition Payment discount will only be applied to families who do not qualify for a need-based discount or any scholarship.

Scholarship Eligibility

St. Mark Member scholarships are awarded to members of St. Mark Lutheran Church who meet and maintain the following criteria:
1. Is the parent(s), grandparent(s), or legal guardian(s) of the student for which the scholarship will be awarded.
2. Are “active” members who attend no less than 50% of all corporate worship services and volunteer in church ministry for no less than 10 credit hours annually. Criteria for credit hours will be provided upon registration.
3. Are “in good standing” as defined by active involvement, faithfulness in the tithes God commands us to bring, and no church disciplinary action within the past year.
4. Has been an “active” member in “good standing” at St. Mark for no less than three months.

The Board of Elders determines and maintains a member’s standing in the church.

Preschool & Childcare Family scholarships are awarded to students whose parent(s), grandparent(s), or guardian(s) have another child actively enrolled in our preschool and childcare center.

LCMS Clergy/Called Worker scholarships are afforded to pastors and rostered church workers who meet the following criteria: LCMS ordained or commissioned minister (active status). Pastors not affiliated with the LCMS may still receive a discount, but only if approved by the Senior Pastor of St. Mark. Clergy or workers from non-Christian faiths are not eligible for a discount or scholarship. Clergy or church workers affiliated with churches or church bodies that profess or practice doctrines not in agreement with the confessions of St. Mark Lutheran Church are not eligible for a discount.

Multiple Enrollment scholarships will be awarded to parent(s) or guardian(s) who have more than one child enrolled at St. Mark at the same time.

Parent Volunteer Hours scholarships are a way for parents to help further discount their tuition through volunteering at St. Mark Lutheran School. The amount of discount applied will be determined by the specific work being volunteered for and the number of hours volunteered. Criteria for these volunteer discount hours will be provided upon registration.

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