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Grades 1-8

Mission Statement
St. Matthew’s Lutheran School exists to make disciples for the Lord’s kingdom through Christian education, assisting parents in the training of their children as we grow in God’s inerrant Word, serving and glorifying Him.

Demographics

  • 165 students (2010-2011)
    • 90 boys / 75 girls
    • 146 member children
    • 7 children from other WELS/ELS congregations
    • 12 non-member children
  • Student to teacher ratio of 16:1 (2010-2011)
  • There are currently 30 students from St. Matthew’s in our WELS working training system (includes students at Luther Prep, Martin Luther College, and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary).

Academics

  • In the fall of each year, St. Matthew’s Lutheran School administers the Terra Nova Achievement Test to all students in grades 3-8. This testing allows us to compare the academic achievement of our students with other students in our synod (WELS) and throughout the nation. Our students score higher than the national and WELS averages as seen in the 8th grade results shown below.
Percentile Ranks
2010
Gr. 8 Nation
Gr. 8 WELS
Gr. 8 SMLS
Reading
50
75
81
Language
50
75
79
Math
50
80
85
Science
50
72
83
Social Studies
50
75
86
  • The majority of our students go on to Lakeside Lutheran High School in Lake Mills or Luther Preparatory School in Watertown, both of which boast a 100% graduation rate. Each year, over 90% of Lakeside students and 94% of Luther Prep students go on to college.
  • During the 2010-2011 school year, 100% of St. Matthew’s School families participated in both the fall and the winter Parent-Teacher Conferences. The winter conferences are called “student-led” conferences because the students themselves lead the conferences, taking ownership for their academic achievement and progress.
  • In the past 2 years three former St. Matthew’s students were named the Valedictorian of their respective schools, one at Lake Country Lutheran High School, one at Lakeside Lutheran High School and one at Oconomowoc Senior High School.
  • In the last 13 years, 8 students from St. Matthew’s have received either valedictorian or salutatorian honors.
  • Over the past five years, over 60% of our graduates have continued their Christian education at one of our WELS high schools.

Technology

  • Broadband access to the Internet since 1996.
  • All computers and all students who have permission have access to e-mail and the internet.
  • Students learn about the strengths as well as the dangers of the Internet.
  • Internet content filtered.
  • Web site development in grades 7-8.
  • Experience with video editing.
  • Drill and practice skill reinforcement.
  • Desktop publishing projects.
  • Spreadsheet formulas.
  • Legal issues surrounding technology.

Spiritual Growth Opportunities

  • Daily Religion Instruction, including Catechism instruction in grades 5-8.
  • Classroom devotions twice daily.
  • All-school chapel services twice a month.
  • All subjects taught in the light of God’s Word.

Extended Learning

  • A Remedial Director on staff who has a K-12 Reading Specialist license and a Master’s Degree in Reading.
  • 20 regular volunteers who read with children each week (2010-2011)
  • 15 students served in our Remedial Program on a weekly basis during the 2010-2011 school year.
  • Kindergarten screening available upon request or recommendation.

Co-Curricular Activities

  • In the 2010-2011 school year, 14 upper grade students participated in choir, 42 in band, and 11 in handchimes.
  • The Advanced Band received the highest possible rating at the 2010 Lakeside Lutheran High School Fine Arts Fair.
  • Upper grade or lower grade musical performance every year.

Extra-Curricular Activities

  • Approximately 80% of eligible students participated in one or more of the extra-curricular offerings during the 2010-2011 school year.
  • A Forensics team for students in grades 5-8.
  • A variety of interscholastic athletics, including volleyball, cross country, basketball, track, and softball.

Hot Lunch Program

  • Hot lunch, with a choice of two entrees, is offered daily to all students in K-8.
  • 90 Daily meals served (average)
  • 1 full time cook (employed by Taher, Inc.)

Transportation

  • Busing available for students in K-8 who live within the Oconomowoc District.

Early Childhood Opportunities

  • St. Matthew’s offers a three-year-old program that meets two half-days a week and a four-year-old program that meets three half-days a week.
  • Our Kindergarten is a full day program that meets five days a week.
  • The Preschool Power Hour is a special program for parents who have children 0-4 years of age. Power hour has it’s own curriculum that incorporates Bible stories, music and movement activities, large and small motor activities, and social interaction to stimulate spiritual, intellectual, and physical growth. Each session of Preschool Power Hour meets once a week for 8 weeks.

After/Before School Care

  • St. Matthew’s offers an after school care program for its students every day from 3:00 p.m until 6:00 p.m.
  • The ASC program offers a healthy snack and drink for every child.
  • St. Matthew’s offers a BSC program for students every day from 6:45-7:20 a.m.
  • A wide variety of enrichment classes such as fishing, sign language, cooking, chess, and Spanish are provided throughout the school year.

Mentoring Opportunities

  • Younger students are assigned older “chapel buddies” each year that provide positive encouragement and guidance at chapel services and throughout the school year.
  • The Kindergarten holds a “Writers’ Fest” for parents each year that is a culmination of collaborative work and mentoring between sixth graders and kindergartners.
  • Each spring the school holds an all-school kickball tournament that helps to strengthen bonds between younger and older students. The 8th graders serve as captains and role models, and they ensure that all children, regardless of age, feel valued as a part of the team.

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