Academics
Experience Lutheran Educational Excellence
Our Shepherd has high standards for academic achievement with highly trained and caring faculty who strive to help each child realize his or her full potential. Our Shepherd Lutheran School is accredited by the state of Indiana, and the National Lutheran Schools Accreditation. Our Christian environment helps children discover, develop, and use their God-given gifts to the glory of Christ.
Our Shepherd believes that communication between teachers, students, and parents is key.
Our Shepherd Lutheran School's Curriculum
In a recent study, the U.S. Department of Education ranked the Lutheran education system highest academically among other schools, including public, Catholic, charter, or other private schools. Lutheran school students test 23% higher than the national average on standard achievement tests. (Brekke, M., Youth Research Center)
Early Childhood Program
Half-Day Program
Monday – Friday (half days) 8:25 a.m. – 11:20 a.m.
The half-day early childhood program is designed to mirror the full-day program, but as a half-day option. Independence is increased as learning expands to prepare them for Kindergarten and beyond.
Daily Class Outline
Each day class starts with the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer. Children are taught daily through words, music and actions that God loves them. Faith is expressed daily and incorporated into all aspects of teaching.
Children will work on age-appropriate skill development through the following:
- Differentiated instruction.
- Gross and fine motor skill development
- Creative expression through art and music
- Literacy activities
- The Project Approach
- Meaningful hands-on experiences including field trips and guest speakers.
- Guided, directed, and free choice play.
- Developmentally appropriate practices
- One-on-one student/teacher time
Full-Day Program
Monday – Friday 8:25 a.m. – 3:20 p.m.
Early Childhood is available for children 3 years of age by August 1 and toilet-trained (child is able to communicate and independently take care of all bathroom needs without adult assistance).
#BeKnown at Our Shepherd with our FULL-DAY program that will allow your child to participate in a day filled with activities that promote the development of the child spiritually, cognitively, socially, and emotionally. Our Full- Day program is an excellent stepping stone into our Kindergarten program.
The early childhood program is designed to introduce the children to a structured setting where they will be able to learn at their own pace.
All EC students and parents will be greeted by their teacher at the classroom doors. Parents are required to walk any EC or Kindergarten student to their classrooms. We will maintain a student-teacher ratio no greater than 9:1. A class that has an enrollment of 10 will also have an aide with them in the morning and afternoon
Kindergarten
Our primary grades operate in a structured, yet creative, environment that allows children to express their unique gifts and talents. Each student is nurtured so that he or she is able to develop positive and productive work habits that will last a lifetime. Academic excellence is stressed throughout the primary grades. Our Shepherd Lutheran School is accredited through the National Lutheran School Accreditation and by the State of Indiana.
Our Kindergarten program is designed to build on the skills that your child(ren) has been learning since birth. Our program is developmentally appropriate. We challenge each child to reach his or her potential inside and outside the classroom. We provide the building blocks for your child(ren) to develop the whole child and to prepare them for academic success.
Children must be 5 years old by August 1st to enroll in Kindergarten.
Kindergarten skill development:
- Multi-sensory instruction
- Differentiated instruction
- Thematic and project approach
- Interactive learning
- Literacy centers
- Phonemic awareness
- Social interaction and emotional growth development
- Writing and math workshops
- Shared and guided reading
- Art exploration and awareness
- Music and movement activities
- Gross/fine motor skill development
- Field Trips
- One-on-one student/teacher time
Elementary
Our elementary classes are a space in which children are encouraged to grow academically, socially, and faithfully each day. Each student is nurtured so that he or she is able to develop positive and productive work habits which will last a lifetime.
Grades 1 through 4 focus on core subjects including language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Spanish, art, and music are introduced in first grade.
Foundational skills progress each consecutive years allowing for a smooth transition into middle school. Because these transition years are crucial to student growth, Our Shepherd’s teachers collaborate, molding their curricula to fit each incoming class.
Grade 1
Our 1st-grade class focuses on core subjects including language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Spanish, art, and music are introduced this year too! Your child is encouraged to express their unique gifts and talents while being nurtured so that they are able to develop positive and productive work habits which will last a lifetime.
Language Arts
- Phonics, Spelling, Grammar, and Writing are connected to weekly reading stories.
- Daily small group reading instruction
- Zaner-Bloser Handwriting
Math
- Emphasize on addition, subtraction, and fluency of facts
- Place Value
- Measurement
- Telling Time
- Money
- Shapes
Science
- What do scientists do and how do they study the world
- Life Science: Living things and how they interact
- Physical Science: States of matter
- Earth Science: How soil is formed and how does it vary
Social Studies
- Study of people and how they live
- Map skills
- Awareness of past, present, and future
- Economic principles
- Cultures around the world
- Landforms and bodies of water
- Learn about God’s truth as families, leaders, and prophets
- Jesus’ life
- Parables
- Miracles
- Our opportunity to “go and tell”
1st graders also participate in:
- Physical Education
- Music
- Art
- Spanish
- Computer Science
Our 1st graders celebrate “Special Day’s” in school like Johnny Appleseed Day, Veteran’s Day, Dr. Seuss Week, 100th Day of School, and the Mini-Indy.
Your child will bring home many stories from President Harrison’s Home, the Library, the Children’s Museum, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Grade 2
Our 2nd-grade class focuses on core subjects including language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Spanish, art, and music continue as well. Your child is encouraged to express their unique gifts and talents while being nurtured so that they are able to develop positive and productive work habits that will last a lifetime.
Grade 3
Language Arts
- Improve fluency and comprehension
- Read and comprehend a variety of literature independently and proficiently
- Build comprehension and appreciation of literature
- Connect literacy elements and themes
- Build an understanding of nonfiction text features, structures, and author’s perspective
- Build and apply vocabulary
- Use strategies to determine and clarify words and understand their relationships
- Write effectively
- Develop writing skills
- Write persuasive, informative, and narrative pieces
- Produce coherent and legible documents
- Build knowledge about the research process
- Develop and apply effective communication skills through speaking and active listening
Math
- Read, write, add, and subtract whole numbers
- Understand fractions
- Use place values
- Demonstrate fluency with multiplication and division facts
- Solve real world problems using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
- Identify and describe the cube, sphere, prism, pyramid, cone, and cylinder
- Estimate and measure the mass and volume of objects
- Choose and use appropriate unit and tools to estimate and measure length, weight, and temperature
- Tell and write time
- Find the value of dollars and cents
- Create scaled graphs to represent data
- Generate measurement data
Science
- Define a real world problem and list criteria for a successful solution
- Define types of simple machines. Observe and describe:
- How sound is produced by vibrations
- How light travels from point to point
- How natural materials meet the needs of plants and animals
- Plant growth and development
- Rocks and minerals
Social Studies
- Develop an understanding for media
- Recognize the purposes of media and the ways media can have influences
- Describe how significant people, events, and developments have shaped their own community
- Compare their community to others
- Use resources to gather information about the past
- Explain what it means to be citizens of their community, state, and nation
- Demonstrate democratic principles at the local, state, and national level
- Use latitude and longitude to locate places on the maps and globes
- Compare geographical characteristics
- Understand the use of goods, services, and productive resources
- We incorporate the love of our Lord and Savior into each subject area in order to show that in all things, God is given the glory.
3rd graders also participate in:
- Physical Education
- Music
- Art
- Spanish
- Computer Science
Grade 4
Our 4th-grade is the pivotal last year of ‘elementary’ at Our Shepherd. The class focuses on core subjects including language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Spanish, art, and music continue as well. Academically your child will be challenged to use prior base skills to do more complex problem solving, thinking, and writing across all of the subject areas. Personal responsibility, organizational skills, and critical thinking are underlying skills that are stressed and practiced to help students make an easy transition into middle school.
The classroom environment and set-up allow for frequent collaboration with peers and provides a level of comfort so that students can find a place and a way that is most conducive to their own style of learning. Instead of traditional desks, we have tables that we can manipulate to form large to small group settings for instruction. We often use natural, low, minimal lighting to set the mood for certain types of instruction. Students have a wide selection of technology applications to produce and share materials with the teacher and each other.
In 4th grade, experimental and hands-on learning are highly valued. We take numerous field trips throughout the year to further explore the curriculum and bring the subject matter alive. Opportunities to research and explore topics through classroom activities and technology occur frequently and are encouraged. Your child will enjoy digging deep into Indiana History and exploring a place of their choice for their end-of-year Indiana Presentation.
Because of all these benefits, it allows flexibility in reaching the differing needs of the students. Our Shepherd believes that communication between teachers, students, and parents is key.
Middle School (Grades 5-8)
Welcome to Middle School at Our Shepherd!
Our middle school prepares your child to succeed in high school by giving them tools to grow academically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially. These skills are developed through age-appropriate daily curriculum and class activities. Our Shepherd middle school follows the Core Indiana Standards Curriculum for all subjects including Language Arts, Literature, Science, Math, Social Studies, Spanish, Health, Music, Physical Education, and Art.
Small class sizes give students the ability to interact with their teachers and get the personal attention needed at this grade level. Our Shepherd prepares young students to succeed in high school by giving them tools to grow academically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially. These skills are developed through age-appropriate daily curriculum and class activities. Your students’ time at Our Shepherd will result in a student who is confident in their time management skills and able to balance homework each evening along with family time and extra curriculars. Students will be able to advocate for themselves with their teachers. We want your student to succeed not only here but as they achieve higher education.
The success of our middle school program is seen, in part, through our alumni and their successful transition to high school.
Middle School Highlights by subject:
Language Arts and Literature
- Lessons taught according to the Indiana State Standards
Math
- Middle school math includes pre-algebra and high school credit algebra
Science
- 5th Grade – Nature of Science, Design Process, What is Matter?, Physical and Chemical Changes, Introduction to the Solar System, Ecosystems and Environment, and Human Body Systems.
- 6th Grade – The Sun, Earth, Moon System, Solar System, Energy in the Environment, Organisms and the Environment, Energy, and States of Matter
- 7th Grade – Beneath the Earth (geologic processes), Rocks and Soil, Cells and Cell Processes, Using Energy, Forces, Sound and Light Energy, Energy, Power, and Work
- 8th Grade – Classifying Living Things, Genetics, Understanding Our Origins, Protecting Natural Resources, Atoms, Elements and Compounds, Chemical Reactions, Engineering Materials, and Weather and Climate
Social Studies
- 5th Grade – American History (Including states and capitals)
- 6th Grade – Western Hemisphere Culture and Geography
- 7th Grade – Eastern Hemisphere Culture and Geography
- 8th grade – World History
Health Units
- Personal Health & Safety – including substance abuse
- Growth & Nutrition
- Mental & Emotional Health
- Environmental Health
- Consumer & Community Health
- Family & Social Health
Physical Education
- 5th Grade – Introduction to physical fitness (pilates, circuits, conditioning) and fitness testing each trimester. Introduction to basic skills in soccer, volleyball, football, basketball, floor hockey, lacrosse, juggling, etc. Cooperative games, activities, and challenges.
- 6th – 8th Grade – Intermediate fitness (pilates, circuits, conditioning), fitness testing each trimester. Intermediate skill training in soccer, volleyball, football, basketball, floor hockey, lacrosse, juggling, etc. Cooperative games, activities, and challenges.
Religion
- We incorporate the love of our Lord and Savior into all areas of the curriculum in order to show that in all things, God is given the glory.
- Bible Passages and memory work. Catechism is taught in upper grades
- Teach the only way of salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ
Choice/Life Skills
- Each trimester, your child will choose a Choice/Life Skill class to attend. These classes range from baking, golf, knitting, card and board games to creative writing, cooking, canvas painting, etc.
Music
- Advent Service/Fall Musical
- Weekly Music Class
- Choir
- Fine Arts Festival – 5th – 8th Grade Choir Concert
Field Trips
- Fine Arts Field Trip Rotation – Indiana Repertory Theater, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Beef and Boards (Dinner Theater)
- 5th & 6th Grade – Outdoor Education at Camp Lakeview
- 7th Grade – Creation Museum
- 8th Grade – Class trip to Mackinaw Island in Michigan
Middle School will also participate in:
- Art – Preschool – 8th Grade Art Fair at Lutheran High School
- Spanish
- Middle School
Fine Arts
Our Shepherd offers strong enhancement programs in the fine arts. All students have art and music classes, as well as drama experiences.
Art
Grades PS-8
Art history and art criticism is incorporated into the art program and a variety of media is used. Students study the elements of art and the principles of design. Art classes meet twice weekly. Each spring, our students artwork is eligible to be displayed at the Lutheran Schools Music and Art Festival at Lutheran High School.
Drama
Grades 1-4 perform a musical in the spring every other year
Grades 5-8 perform a musical in the fall every other year
Music
- PS and PK Choir
- Kindergarten Choir
- Grades 1-4 Choir
- Grades 3-4 receive one quarter of recorder instruction
- Grades 5-8 Girls Honor Chorus
The Our Shepherd Difference:
We strive to develop a strong foundation for each child’s growth and development. Through the use of the Project Approach, work to foster the love of learning as we incorporate student interest and meaningful learning in curricular experiences.
We communicate daily with families through our Early Childhood Blogs and email. Families are invited to weekly chapels, special celebration days, and parent-teacher conferences.
Our classrooms are comprised of mixed age groups: 3-5 years of age. Research has demonstrated that classrooms composed of learners with a range of abilities and gifts will have measurable gains in leadership skills, pro-social behavior, independence and competence in cooperative learning abilities. Older learners nurture younger learners and all children benefit from collaborative learning strategies.
Eligibility
Children are eligible if they are 3 and are toilet trained. We accept year-round enrollment for our early childhood program*. Children may attend preschool 5 days per week: half days (8:25-11:25 a.m.) or full days (8:25 a.m.-3:20 p.m.).
*Children who turn three after August 1st will participate in a trial week. The trial week is to ensure a positive school experience after enrollment. Click here to see the behaviors the teachers will observe during the trial week.
We would love to meet you! If you have any questions about Our Shepherd’s Early Childhood Program, or would like to tour Our Shepherd facilities, please contact our Admissions Coordinator, admissions@ourshepherd.org.
At Our Shepherd your child will receive:
- An exceptional Christian Education
- Smaller teacher-to-student ratios
- Highly trained and caring teachers
- An ideal environment for growth
- Guidance to recognize their full potential and use their God-given gifts to glorify our Lord
- Dedicated educators and staff who will care for your child while holding them to high standards of achievement
- A foundation to grow on year after year
What Parents Can Expect:
- Develop social skills within the school structure
- Develop problem solving and critical thinking skills
- Interactions with a literary rich environment
- Progress monitoring within the structure of the IN Early Learning Foundations
- Experience Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
Class Descriptions & Choices:
Starting on August 10th we will be offering 5 full-day and 5 half-day (morning) options for our students in the Early Childhood program. If you have any questions or would like to direct someone you know to this program, feel free to reach out to Tomi Mattick at networking@ourshepherd.org.