Academic Excellence
Academic excellence taught with Christ-centered values to prepare hearts and minds of children
Curriculum
In addition to a very strong core curriculum, Magnuson offers Chapel, Bible instruction, Physical Education, Music, Band, Art, and Spanish for all grades. For more details about curriculum for each grade level, please refer to the Curriculum Guides on the Parent Resources page.
After School Clubs
Magnuson offers after school clubs including STREAM, TREATS, Running Club, Spanish Club, and Art Club.
Field Trips
One special part of a child’s education at Magnuson Christian School is grade level field trips. These trips provide a special connection with the curriculum they have been studying. Along with their teachers and parent chaperones, MCS students experience a variety of cultural and educational field trips each school year.
Study Buddies
Many of our students have the opportunity to have a Study Buddy, a member of Community of Grace Lutheran Church who works with them as a tutor, as a resource for extra help, or to offer enrichment.
Band + Choir
Band is offered to students in grades 5-8 and is an opportunity for students to learn a new instrument and to grow independently through music. Students will meet for full band and group lessons during the school day at no cost to parents.
Choir at Magnuson is offered to 5th-8th grade students. Choir students explore music from all over the world and from a variety of genres. Students also have the opportunity to sing other languages such as Latin, Swahili, American Sign Language and many more!
Spanish
All students in grades K-8 receive Spanish instruction 2 times a week from instructors who are fluent in Spanish.
STATE REQUIREMENTS
ITBS
All students in grades K-8 take the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) every spring. Each year, Magnuson students score above the national average on the ITBS. This standardized test is used to help evaluate basic skills such as: vocabulary, word analysis, reading comprehension, listening, language, mathematics, social studies, science and sources of information.
Kindergarten
Developing and Shaping Early Learners
Magnuson kindergarten is a great place to start your child’s educational journey. The kindergarten year is a magical time when students experience many “firsts” in an environment that is small, caring, and just the right combination of play and learning.
Our experienced Kindergarten teacher inspires students’ natural creativity and curiosity about the world. Students discover the joy of learning as they begin to develop reading and writing skills. Spanish, physical education, and art are integrated into the day as well as time for creative play both indoors and out.
Developing community by respecting and caring for each other makes children feel safe to learn and explore. Participation in weekly chapels, Bible stories, and daily prayer for each other and our school clearly demonstrates our mission of developing the whole child: mind, body and spirit.
COMPETENCIES
Literacy
Math
Science
Handwriting
Social Studies
Bible
Music
Physical Education
Spanish
Computer (Including beginning keyboarding)
Meet our Kindergarten Teachers
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Jill Dougherty
Kindergarten Teacher
Elementary School
Nurturing Our Students’ Love of Learning
The elementary school combines academic rigor with a nurturing, faith-based environment. Each student is part of the Magnuson family, which holds each other accountable to do one’s best. Small class sizes allow for differentiation of curriculum to meet the individual needs of each learner.
Spanish language is taught in all grade levels, and opportunities to experience multiple branches of the arts – music, theater, and visual – as well as physical education, are given to all elementary students. Weekly school chapels and daily class bible study and prayer nurture faith development and the Christian community.
Magnuson parents are involved partners in their child’s education, and passionate and skilled faculty along with a positive family community put students on the important path of joyful, life long learning.
Competencies
We build upon all of the core Kindergarten competencies and additionally focus on:
Reading Fluency
Creative Writing
Research Strategy
Technology Studies
Spanish Vocabulary
Monthly Missions
Band + Choir
Meet our Elementary Teachers
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Laura Dahlke
First Grade Teacher
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Jennifer Ahrenholz
Second Grade Teacher
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Beka Sinn
Third Grade Teacher
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Mattea Pratt
Second Grade Teacher
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Susan Johnson
Fifth Grade Teacher
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Angela Vick
Student Support Specialist
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Beth Fliehler
Curriculum and Instruction
Middle School
Guiding a Path Toward Independence and Maturity
Magnuson Middle School embraces the unique intellectual, physical and spiritual development that emerges in your child’s growth during the critical sixth through eighth grade years.
Our small class sizes, supportive environment and high expectations prepare students to lead, serve and excel. Our low student-to-teacher ratio provides opportunity for flexible scheduling, in-depth project-based learning, experiential learning days and cross-curricular writing.
Each student’s self-esteem is fostered by positive relationships with students and staff. Faith and character development are woven throughout the fabric of our day. Magnuson Middle School is a great environment in which your child can grow and learn during these exciting middle school years.
Competencies
We build upon all of the core Elementary competencies and additionally focus on:
Language Arts
Family & Consumer Science
Health
Conversational Spanish
Technology Integration
Community Service Projects
Meet our Middle School Teachers
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Katie Cunningham
Middle School Bible Teacher
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Jennifer Fehrmann
Middle School Math Teacher
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Dr. John Mawk
Middle School Science Teacher
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Ashtony Sanders
Middle School Literacy and Social Studies Teacher
Come see us for yourself
An in-person visit is the best way for you and your family to experience all that Magnuson Christian School has to offer.