Why choose
a Pre-K TO GRADE 8 School

"No other age level is of more importance to the future of individuals, and, literally, to that of society; because these are the years when youngsters crystallize their beliefs about themselves and firm up their self-concepts, their philosophies of life, and their values - the things that are the ultimate determinants of their behaviors."

Understanding and Appreciating the Wonder Years
John H. Lounsbury

• The needs of children ages 4-14 inform all that we do at St. Luke’s School, including the arrangement of the classrooms, the teachers we hire, and how and what we teach.
  
  
• Teachers at St. Luke’s School are specialists in early childhood, elementary, and middle level education.  They focus their energies on a particular developmental level in a rich and challenging intellectual environment.
  
  
• Childhood is a process of learning and becoming.  At St. Luke’s, children grow “into themselves.”  It is an unfolding journey towards independence, mastery, competence, and an authentic sense of self.
  
  
• The Lower School allows children to grow into and discover themselves as learners, friends, and community contributors.  In the Upper School, students extend their knowledge and interests, serve as school leaders, refine organizational and study skills, and make meaningful contributions to school and the wider world of which they are a part.
  
  
• Because students at St. Luke’s are part of a small community, every person is important and every voice is heard.  Children are well known by their peers, teachers, administrators, and staff.
  
  
• Students forge friendships across grade levels, increasing the sense of community that characterizes the School.  In the Partners Program, students from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 6 work together.  Lunch, recess, the After School Program, sports teams, Chapel, convocation, and assemblies all allow children to interact across the grades.
  
  
• Students do not have the influence of high schools students, thus allowing them to learn and grow in age-appropriate ways.  All of the School’s activities and curricula are geared to young children and emerging adolescents.  This allows our students to be themselves and to experience the joy and play of childhood.
  
  
• Students in Grades 5-8 are in the Upper School at St. Luke’s School.  Unlike a K-12 school, they are not sandwiched between an elementary division and a high school.  There are high expectations for these young people, both academically and personally.
  
  
• Adolescents need recognition.  At St. Luke’s School Upper School students are role models for younger children and contribute to the larger community in meaningful ways
  
  
• Eighth graders are the leaders of the School.  Students leave St. Luke’s with a clear sense of self, leadership experience, and confidence to embrace the opportunities and challenges of high school. Responsibility for self and others, an expectation that they will lead the student body through example, meaningful engagement with community and world issues, and an intentional transition to high school are given specific attention.
  
  
• A Junior Kindergarten through Grade 8 school allows children and families to choose a high school that is right for each child.  Students have the opportunity to choose a high school, with their parents’ input and guidance from St. Luke’s faculty and administrators. Even at schools that go through Grade 12, many students will want a change for high school.  At St. Luke’s, they have time to reflect on who they are, their talents and special interests, and their goals as a learner.  Eighth graders must work positively with their parents throughout the process, and learn valuable life lessons in interviewing and decision-making.  The School’s superb record of schools to which the students are accepted for high school is a tribute to outstanding teaching and the growth that the children have made as learners over their years at St. Luke’s School.