(For perspective: The real costs begin when your children attend college.)
(It’s even more expensive if they don’t get a good education.)
(It’s more costly in permanent terms if they don’t get grounded in God’s Word.)
FAQ's
Enrollment is ongoing and closes when a class is full.
For the upcoming school year, we open the enrollment process in December for currently enrolled students and for new enrollments.
You are informed of your acceptance when all the paperwork and enrollment fees are paid.
To register, go to: Enroll Now
We want all our students to succeed. Therefore, we use the application process to promote the child’s best interests and promote their best learning placement.
For preschool, hot lunch and snacks are provided as part of the tuition. All preschoolers eat lunch, even the students just enrolled for the 7:50 a.m. – 12:00 noon classes. Preschool food is prepared here and follows the USDA school lunch requirements. The USDA annually trains our staff and regularly inspects us.
Grades K-8 bring their own sack lunches or they may order the Catering Service lunches through The Happy Bento.
Lunches can be ordered here.
Teachers monitor both skills and attitudes. We “departmentalize” some instruction, which means specialists sometimes teach music, art, PE, drama, computers, or other specific classes or units. We follow the Core Knowledge Curriculum as our unifying thread through our grades.
Kindergarten
Our kindergarten emphasizes academic success: Phonics Plus, reading, developmental thinking, mathematical relationships (Saxon Math), beginning science (Interactive Science), social skills and concepts, music, religion, computers, and physical education.
Religion
We teach the Bible, Christian doctrine fundamentals, and Lutheran perspectives. We emphasize both words and deeds. All grades learn Bible stories, history, Scripture memorization, Catechism, hymns, practice devotions, and attend the school’s Wednesday chapel service. One In Christ curriculum (Concordia Publishing House) is used in K-8th grade.
Mathematics
Our math program stresses basic math fundamentals, problem-solving, logical reasoning, and practical arithmetic. Kindergarten through Grade 8 utilizes the incremental math program of Saxon Math®. Computers also provide math enrichment, diagnostics, and practice with the use of computer-based programs like IXL (www.ixl.com).
Language Arts
Kindergarten through Grade 3 is taught using Reading Wonders methods. All grades use a quality-literature approach to reading. All grades emphasize composition, spelling, speaking, and Shurley Method® English grammar and the Accelerated Reader® individualized computer program along with diagnostics and practice on IXL (www.ixl.com).
Social Studies
Included in the social studies are geography, history, Hawaiian studies, citizenship, current events, sociology, and consumer education.
Computer
iPads, Chromebooks, or laptops are provided for each classroom for at-school use. All students, grades K-8, enjoy two or three classes weekly where they are taught basic computer skills utilizing keyboards, programs, research, and Internet use. Computer access at home is encouraged for assigned work.
Science
The curriculum includes life, physical, and earth science. The Interactive Science ® curriculum is used for Kindergarten through Grade 5. We teach that God creates and sustains all things, and we use science to understand and practice good stewardship of His world. Earth & Space Science, Life Science, and Physical Science are taught in middle school following Core Knowledge® standards. Students in middle school will also complete a Science Fair project and compete on school, regional, and state levels.
Health/Physical Education
We develop skills, health, teamwork, and safety. Middle school students receive personal health education.
Fine Arts
All students use music, arts, and crafts. Kindergarten through Grade 4 participates in weekly music classes. Grades 5-8 participate in choir and/or band. The choir and band conduct public concerts including singing at some of our Sunday worship services. These performances are evaluated; thus, students’ attendance is mandatory.
Core Knowledge®
We add Core Knowledge® units and objectives to broaden our instruction breadth, making it sequential, structured, and correlating across the subjects.
Foreign Language
5th graders try a different language every quarter and Japanese is currently taught in grades 6-8, four quarters, 2 or 3 periods a week.
Technology
Class assignments often need computer-assisted work; thus, our parents provide after-school computer access for their children. Grade K-8 classrooms utilize computer LCD projectors, interactive projectors, opaque projectors, or TV screens. We use PC Windows-based and GSuite for Education-based applications and online programs. Students are provided an account for GSuite applications by the school. Graphing calculators are required for advanced math courses. Grade K-8 students’ parents may see the students’ grades online at www.gradelink.com.
Our Savior provides students with access to technology before, during, and after school for free. Even though these resources are available, at times it may be necessary for students to complete assignments after school hours; therefore, parents share in the responsibility of providing technical support for their children. Computers are located in classrooms for students to use to take accelerated reading exams, conduct research on the Internet, complete assignments, and use interactive educational applications. Students taking advanced math courses are responsible for purchasing graphing apps or calculators (see the class supply list for details).
Computer Use
All computer use is accessible to staff members. This means that all messages composed, sent, or received on school computers are and remain the property of Our Savior Lutheran School. They are not the private property of anyone. We retain the right and the responsibility to monitor all activities under our control. We will also give the students a list of permitted technology activities, which the parents and students sign that they understand. See Appendix C for the technology use agreement.
Class Trips:
Overnight class trips are conducted, as part of the school educational program, in grades five through eight, but are not guaranteed. They must have an educational purpose. Families pay the trip’s cost. The families, upon the principal’s approval, may conduct fundraising to offset the trip’s costs. The school will not initiate fundraising efforts but will assist families in scheduling and planning them; organizers pay the state Excise Taxes and applicable expenses (e.g. car wash water, materials, tithe, etc.). Learning assignments will be made during the trip. Legal guardians may have the option of keeping their child at home during the trip, but teachers are not required to arrange on-campus supervision; assignments will be made to cover an equal portion of classwork. Teachers may exclude students who have problems following directions or using judgment. If due to unforeseen circumstances, the trip needs to be canceled, the school will announce it as soon as the cancellation is determined and refund any refundable fees (some travel fees are not refundable).
Preschool Curriculum
Our preschool offers three programs:
Half Day: 7:50 a.m.-12 noon (academic portion)
Full Day: 6:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Extended Day: 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Daily schedules are posted. A separate PreSchool Handbook is available.
Our teachers are credentialed Christian teachers who love to help children and families grow.
Yes, we do: 6:00-7:30 a.m. and 2:45-6:00 p.m.
K-8 Students dropped off 7:00-7:30 a.m. may sit on the outside bleachers where an adult is supervising.
At 7:30 a.m. the bell rings and they are dismissed to their classrooms where they prepare for the 7:50 a.m. class start. (We prefer that parents deliver the students before 7:30 a.m. to reduce traffic congestion and give the students adequate preparation time.)
Arrivals, Departures, & Day Care:
Detailed Schedule for Before-School and After-school Supervision:
6:00-7:00 a.m., only people who have signed up for Day Care are allowed on campus.
Otherwise, “Drop-Ins” are charged $10.00 per morning.
7:00-7:30 a.m. An adult supervises K-8 students outside.
This is “free-of-charge”. We encourage you to bring the children during this time.
7:00-7:45 a.m. Students go to classrooms.
They prepare for class, get their books ready, unload backpacks, turn in notes, ask teachers about homework issues, and get ready.
Traffic-delayed parents are now arriving onto the campus.
7:45-7:50 a.m. All students have already arrived and are in their classrooms.
Late, negligent, and highly-stressed parents are now rushing themselves and their children onto the campus.
7:50 a.m. Students are in their seats ready-to-go. The bell rings.
Teachers take attendance and send records to the office.
7:50-8:15 a.m. Late students report to office before going to class. They receive passes.
2:25 p.m. Kindergarten & 1st graders wait for pickup outside or go to day care.
2:30 p.m. 2nd & 3rd grades wait outside or enter day care.
2:40 p.m. 4th & 5th grades wait outside or enter day care.
2:50 p.m. 6th-8th grades wait outside or enter day care.
3:00 p.m. Students who are still on campus report to supervised day care, sports,
clubs, detention, etc.
No one stays “unsupervised”. No one leaves and then returns (even with parental permission).
Drop-in Day Care children are billed $15.
For Early Dismissal days, Drop-In Day Care children are billed $30.
Yes, we have strong music programs. Grade 5-8 students take choir and band. We teach these music classes at least 3 times per week. Both Band and Choir students are graded on practice, effort, attitude, and performance. Choir and Band have required performances.
Check our school calendar for the major Christmas, Combined Lutheran Schools, and Spring Concerts.
Our teacher ratio for K-8 can go up to 1:24, but normally sits around 1:12. Preschool’s ratio is 1:8 or 2:24 depending on the age of the youngest child enrolled.
Our families profess a wide variety of faiths. We do however insist on sharing God’s love and plans through His Word, the Scriptures. The faith that we are training our students to understand and accept is that we are sinners, God loves us, and we respond to His saving forgiveness. (The “God” we refer to is Jesus.)
We encourage all our families to know what we are teaching the students.
You may research the Lutheran faith further at: http://www.lcms.org/belief-and-practice
http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=112, http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=2135, and http://www.bookofconcord.org/whatisalutheran.html .
The school was created and is administrated by Our Savior Lutheran Church. We develop our students’ abilities to succeed in fulfilling God’s plans for them. Our academic programming and results show our students’ high success rates, our annual standardized testing results and the alumni’s achievements. Students attend a wide range of high schools (Graduates’ Destinations).
Nonetheless, we are not an “elitist” school, choosing only the most academically capable children; rather, we focus on integrity–articulating and living our faith; placing, teaching, and evaluating students; working and playing to the best of our abilities. We realistically know our needs for forgiveness and for our Savior, and we respond to all that He has given us. Thus, we offer the best curriculum and programs that we can, and our students also do the best they can, while we greatly value the differences among our students, families, and community.
Strategic Plan: We have a long-term plan for our school’s growth and improvements. Click here for the Strategic Plan.
The National Lutheran Schools Accreditation organization and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges have fully accredited the school. The accreditation process involves an intensive self-study, a visit by inspectors, and a long-range Action Plan to improve. Schools who voluntarily choose to seek accreditation are committed to continuous improvement, and these outside agencies provide the expertise, accountability, and assistance to help us effectively and efficiently do so.