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

  • 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

  • Laura Dahlke

    First Grade Teacher

  • Jennifer Ahrenholz

    Second Grade Teacher

  • Beka Sinn

    Third Grade Teacher

  • Mattea Pratt

    Second Grade Teacher

  • Susan Johnson

    Fifth Grade Teacher

  • Angela Vick

    Student Support Specialist

  • 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

  • Katie Cunningham

    Middle School Bible Teacher

  • Jennifer Fehrmann

    Middle School Math Teacher

  • Dr. John Mawk

    Middle School Science Teacher

  • 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.