Academics

Our Program

• As students progress through the grades, the chief doctrines of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod are taught and Bible verses and hymns are memorized.
• Textbooks are evaluated regularly and purchased on the basis of the best available curriculum. 
• The school day (8:15am-3:30pm) consists of a well-rounded program of studies includes religion, language arts, math, reading, social studies, science, computer, music, art, foreign language, outdoor education, and physical education.
• The curriculum at St John’s meets the requirements of the State of Illinois.

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Early Childhood Curriculum
​(PK-3 through Kindergarten)
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• Religion
• Math
• Physical Education
• Music
• Art
• Science
• Language Arts
• Social Studies

Through the use of a variety of Bible stories, St. John’s PK-3, PK-4, and Kindergarten students learn about God’s love for them.  They learn that their sins are forgiven through God’s Son, Jesus.  The students participate in weekly chapel services where they worship and praise God.

St. John’s Early Childhood Curriculum begins with patterning, calendar activities, sorting and counting.  PK-4 begins instruction in number recognition, graphing, sorting, math vocabulary, and exploration of math materials.  By the end of Kindergarten, students have had experiences with adding and subtracting, telling time, and solving addition and subtraction word problems.  Students are expected to be able to identify, read, and write numbers up to 30 and to count to 100 or higher.

​Fine and gross motor skills are the main focus points in PK-3 and PK-4.  Working on these skills takes place during recess and gym activities. The development of these skills continues in Kindergarten.  Kindergarten also gives the students the opportunities to practice throwing, catching, kicking, and dribbling through simple games.  Safety habits, good sportsmanship, as well as caring for their bodies are also stressed in Kindergarten.

In addition to music activities in the classrooms, students also develop an appreciation for music through rhythm instruments and movement to music.  Students begin to understand that music is another gift from God.

St. John’s young artists begin their artistic exploration through a variety of media including, painting, coloring, drawing, cutting and making collages.  Art activities are expanded to include crafts, free form, and proper use of materials and equipment.  As with music, students gain an understanding that art is also a gift from God.

Students are encouraged to develop their sense of wonder of God’s creations through observations and predictions while exploring different materials.  When students reach Kindergarten, they begin to study plants and animals, weather and seasons, matter, heat and light, day and night and how things move.  They further advance by developing and refining their observation skills, making inferences and predictions through investigation and experimentation.

​Stories, pre-writing skills, listening and speaking skills are used in PK-3 and PK-4 to begin formal language development.  Language Arts skills in Kindergarten are expanded to include the reading and writing of letters, phonemic awareness, beginning and ending word sounds, blending sounds, developing a sight word vocabulary, enhanced writing activities, and listening and following directions.

PK-3 and PK-4 concentrates on social emotional learning (SEL).  Communicating feelings, developing empathy, and learning to play together are all a part of the PreK program at St. John’s.  Students moving to Kindergarten learn about holidays and celebrations, cooperation, citizenship, school workers, safety and self-esteem.

"The small class sizes allow our kids to get specialized attention from their teachers and to build strong bonds with their classmates. They feel loved and cared for by their teachers who remind them to pray when they are worried or anxious."​-Jonn, Kindergarten & 2nd grade parent

Elementary Curriculum 
​(Grades 1-5)
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• Religion
• Math
• Physical Education
• Music
• Art
• Science
• Language Arts
• Social Studies
• Foreign Language
• Computer

​The religion curriculum for grades 1 - 5 features worship opportunities, Bible Study, catechism, memory work, church history, and defending the Christian faith. Service Hours are another component of the religion curriculum.

​Big Ideas Math has been systematically developed using learning and instructional theory to ensure the quality of instruction. Students gain a deeper understanding of math concepts by narrowing their focus to fewer topics at each grade level. Students master content through inductive reasoning opportunities, engaging activities that provide deeper understanding, concise stepped-out examples, rich thought-provoking exercises, and a continual building on what has been previously taught.

​Big Ideas Math delivers a unique and revolutionary curriculum providing a balanced instructional approach of discovery and direct instruction. This approach opens doors to abstract thought, reasoning, and inquiry as students persevere to answer the Essential Questions that drive instruction. Clearly stepped-out examples complete the lesson and provide students with the precise language and structure necessary to build mathematical understanding and proficiency.

Through gym class and recess students participate in physical fitness and recreation activities, group games and team sports. Gym uniforms are required in Grade 5 (available through the school office).

In music class students gain experience in rhythm, music theory, music appreciation, and with various musical instruments.  Students also participate in school musicals.  After school guitar and piano lessons are offered.  Walther Christian Academy provides instruction with band instruments.

In school art class is offered to grades 1 - 4.  These classes feature drawing and painting activities, using mixed media, and art appreciation.  Grade 5 may elect to experience art activities through the after-school art club.

As with all subjects, science is taught from a Christian perspective.  Science classes vary by grade level and include general science, biology, and earth science.  Health and safety skills are taught through the science classes.

Language Arts classes include reading, phonics, English, spelling, literature, handwriting and creative writing activities.  St. John’s also has an extensive library of leveled books that are used to supplement classroom reading activities.  High School Prep students are placed in leveled reading groups with differentiated instruction being provided within the individual reading group.

Students are prepared to be Christian citizens through the study of geography, history, citizenship, current events and the United States and Illinois Constitutions.

Spanish is taught in grades 1 - 4.   Beginning in grade 5, students utilize Duo Lingo to choose the language they would like to study.

Typing skills, word processing, and computer-generated activities are included in technology classes.  St. John’s also has two 3-D printers where students can create and build 3-D models.  Students in Grades 5 are assigned a Chromebook to be used for instructional purposes.

"The thing I love most about my kids going to St. John's is that they get to go to school in a place they feel safe and genuinely loved. The fact that they want to go to school says it all!"-Jennie, PreK-4, 2nd, 6th grade parent 

High School Prep Curriculum
(Grades 6-8)
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• Religion
• Math
• Physical Education
• Music
• Art
• Science
• Language Arts
• Social Studies
• Foreign Language
• Computer

The religion curriculum for grades 6 - 8 features worship opportunities, Bible Study, catechism, memory work, church history, and defending the Christian faith. Service Hours are another component of the religion curriculum.

Big Ideas Math is a complete math program developed with the Common Core Standards for Mathematical Content and Standards for Mathematical Practice as its foundation. High School Prep math classes are leveled according to students’ abilities. There are as many as 6 different math levels with geometry being the highest level taught. It is the only program to offer multiple pathways through middle school mathematics. The Regular Pathway prepares students for Algebra 1 or Integrated 1 in 9th grade.  
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Above information taken from the Big Ideas Math Program Overview

Through gym class and recess students participate in physical fitness and recreation activities, group games, and team sports. Gym uniforms are required in Grades 6 - 8 (available through the school office).

Outdoor education is part of the 6th grade curriculum.  Outdoor education takes place at Walcamp.  

In music class students gain experience in rhythm, music theory, music appreciation and with various musical instruments.  Students also participate in school musicals.  After school guitar and piano lessons are offered.  Walther Christian Academy provides instruction with band instruments.

Grades 6 - 8 may elect to experience art activities through the after-school art club.

As with all subjects, science is taught from a Christian perspective.  Science classes vary by grade level and include general science, biology, and earth science.  Health and safety skills are taught through the science classes.

Language Arts classes include reading, phonics, English, spelling, literature, handwriting, and creative writing activities.  St. John’s also has an extensive library of leveled books that are used to supplement classroom reading activities.  High School Prep students are placed in leveled reading groups with differentiated instruction being provided within the individual reading group.

Students are prepared to be Christian citizens through the study of geography, history, citizenship, current events, and the United States and Illinois Constitutions.

For Grades 6 - 8, students utilize Duo Lingo to choose the language they would like to study.

Typing skills, word processing and computer-generated activities are included in technology classes.  St. John’s also has two 3-D printers where students can create and build 3-D models.  Students get creative when making short films for class projects with our green screen. Students in Grades 6 - 8 are assigned a Chromebook to be used for instructional purposes.

Preparing Students for High School

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We begin the high school discussion with families at the 8th grade parent meeting at the beginning of the school year. Then, we discuss things one on one at Parent Teacher Conferences at the end of October and beginning of November. Our 8th grade teacher, Mrs. Runge, is always available throughout the year to meet with families further as needed.  ​

What High Schools Do St. John's Students Attend?

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When students graduate from St. John's, they are well equipped emotionally, socially, spiritually, and academically for the demands of high school. 

95% of our students attend their first choice high school. 

Graduate High School Destinations from 2017 to 2021:

Selective High Schools:
- Lane Tech College Prep
- Northside College Prep

Preferred CPS Schools:
- Von Stueben
- William Howard Taft IB
- Amundsen IB
- Rickover Naval Academy
- Chicago High School for the Arts

Private High Schools:
- DePaul College Prep
- Loyola Academy 
- Regina Dominican
- Notre Dame College Prep

Charter & Magnet Schools:
- Chicago International Charter School
-  Disney II

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"I love how my child is truly cared for by the teachers and staff of St. John's. She loves her teachers and how they make learning fun." - Erica, 8th grade parent