Academics at the Lower School
PreK-8 Principal: Bruce Maeda
PreK-8 Vice-Principal: Janet Gulden
Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Betsy Norby
Chaplain: Rev. Greg Bestland
Guidance Counselor: Mrs. Shannon Marek
Spiritual Emphasis
Once a week Lower School students gather in groups for chapel worship experiences in music, drama, speakers, puppetry or film. Teachers have a devotional and prayer time in the classroom each day. Service projects are done at each grade level.
Grading, Communication, Discipline
Grades are given at trimesters. Communication also comes through parent-teacher conferences, weekly principal online newsletters, home folders, portfolios in some classes, check-ups and phone calls. The Climate for Learning program sets expectations and rules for behavior. Positive reinforcement as well as an emphasis on personal responsibility are used to promote a positive environment for learning.
Celebrations
A variety of school fund-raising and fellowship events are held throughout the year, such as the Marathon, Book Week, Book Fair and the Science Fair, open skate nights, the spring carnival, and classroom holiday parties.
Academic Help, Enrichment
The Counselor and Learning Specialist are available for consultation regarding students with special learning needs. An individually contracted tutor is available during the school day. The school refers for and facilitates individual assessments through the public schools or a private agency. Off campus resources may be suggested for help or enrichment.
Curriculum
View an overview of the Lower School curriculum (opens in new window), or visit the Lower School Signal.
Technology and Library/Media Instruction
Our vision is to see Minnehaha Academy students and teachers as Christian leaders who use technology effectively to learn, research, collaborate, problem-solve, analyze, and communicate with people within the Minnehaha community and around the world.
Our goal is to integrate the use of technology and library/media tools into the curriculum to enhance student learning and to provide teachers with creative, relevant methods and content for teaching, motivating and evaluating students.
We encourage students to bring their own laptop or iPad as their personal learning tool. Minnehaha provides the following:
- Wireless Internet access with high-level security and constant filtering at each campus.
- All teachers have desktop or laptop computers in their classrooms.
- Apple MacBook laptop computers in 10 carts are available for student classroom use in Middle and Upper schools.
- Five dedicated student computer labs, equipped with Apple Mac desktop computers.
- Free laser-printing is available at all campuses.
- Interactive white boards and projection systems in 90 percent of classrooms.
- Student response systems (Promethean ActiVotes) in 20 classrooms.
- Apple iPad tablets for all Lower School teachers with iPads also available for student use.
