Saint James Lutheran

From the Director:

We believe that a compassionate and highly trained staff, coupled with engaged parents and a supportive congregation, are essential to delivering a first-rate educational opportunity. Students will thrive in such a learning environment that includes differentiated instruction, individualized goal setting and adult modeling of Christ-like behavior.

From the Director:

The Early Childhood Program emphasizes experiential education, including purposeful play and hands-on experiences related to thematic units. Social and emotional development is emphasized through the give and take of learning to function as part of a group. Language development is the focus of communication and skill building. STUDENTS WILL: Learn about communicating with one another and develop sills in speaking, listening, writing and reading. Apply ideas about numbers, quantities, measurements, shapes and colors. Improve coordination and control over bodies while learning to move and handle equipment. Discover the love of Jesus Christ through song, dance, story and prayer. Develop confidence and independence while learning to share and be a cooperative member in a group.

St.  James  Lutheran  School  prepares  students  to  succeed  at  Chicago’s  premier  high  schools.  We  seek  to   form  a  school/family  partnership  to  optimize  the  education  process  in  a  challenging  environment  for  social,   spiritual,  behavioral,  cognitive  and  physical  development.  A  St.  James  student  should  exit  with  a  solid  academic foundation and strong sense of personal confidence as a child of God.

At St. James we offer five different preschool programs - two half-day, three half-day, two full-day, three full-day and five full-day.

Sample Schedule for Two Full-Day Preschool Class


8:30 a.m. Table Activities

8:50 a.m. Morning Meeting

9:10 a.m. Recess

9:40 a.m. Snack

10:00 a.m. Free Choice

10:30 a.m. Library or Chapel

11:00 a.m. Learning Time

11:30 a.m. Music or Spanish

11:50 a.m. Lunch/Rest Time

1:00 p.m. Centers

1:50 p.m. Recess

2:25 p.m. Story Time, Show and Tell, Closing

2:50 p.m. Dismissal

To keep parents informed an e-newsletter from administration with links to teacher newsletters is sent home each week. More in-depth information for the whole school community is included in a seasonal magazine, which is sent home with students. Additionally, teachers schedule three parent-teacher conferences a year and parents are welcome to stop by the classroom and schedule meetings as necessary.