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St. James Lutheran School has been a part of the Howard Lake community for 90 years. It was established by the St. James congregation to provide Christian education for the children of their congregation.
The school continues to provide an education that challenges the student academically and reinforces Christian beliefs and behaviors in a safe, caring environment.
Currently, the enrollment is about 155 students in preschool through grade 8. This makes the teacher/student ratio at about 1:16, with each grade level set in a traditional self-contained classroom setting.
While most of our students come from the St. James congregation, some students come from various church denominations and from the communities of Annandale, Buffalo, Cokato, Montrose, Waverly, and Winsted.
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Mark 10:14b
St. James cares about the whole being of a child. We provide opportunities that challenge the students intellectually, spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
The curriculum is new and up-to-date (nothing older than five years), and the teaching of this curriculum is all based on God’s Word. Along with religious instruction, fundamental concepts and subjects are taught that meet the standards set for Lutheran schools and the state of Minnesota.
Although test scores vary from year to year, St. James students traditionally do well on the Iowa Basics with overall school results placing us in the upper percentages nationwide.
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3
St. James provides extracurricular activities including piano, spelling contests, science and social studies fairs, and the interscholastic sports of basketball, and volleyball. We are also blessed with solid facilities and equipment. This includes a full-sized gymnasium, an updated computer lab and library, and a kitchen that serves the students home cooked meals for our hot lunch program.
In addition to employing a tutorial aide who assists with remedial instruction and needs, there are many parents and grandparents who volunteer their help in the classroom (correcting papers, putting up bulletin boards, helping the lower grades with reading), and parents also help in the library, athletics, and numerous school programs throughout the year.
St. James is an extension of the individual family. There is a lot of casual interaction with families, and teachers provide a comfortable atmosphere for feedback on how things are going both in and out of the classroom. Being a Christian school, we have more freedoms than the public school system.
The children are taught the things parents and teachers feel are important, not necessarily what society may dictate. For instance, we still have Christmas and Easter breaks and call them such. We have chapel every Wednesday morning, where all parents are welcome to join us, and many do. Also, because St. James is a small school, all the children pretty much know each other.
The older students look out for the younger ones so they do not feel intimidated or scared. We have many fun activities that families help with during the year. Working together gives the parents and teachers time to get to know each other on a more personal level.
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learn it, and how from infancy you have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. II Timothy 3:14-15
Although the world may change, the one most important thing has remained constant and the same: teaching our young people the Word of God, equipping them with this knowledge of law and gospel, Christian morals, skills in living a Christian life, continuing membership and involvement in the church, and the joy of knowing that Jesus forgives us, loves us, and is always there for us.
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
St. James Lutheran School is located at 1000 6th Avenue, Howard Lake, MN 55349. To learn more about St. James Lutheran School visit its web site at www.stjameshl.org/school/ or contact Principal Greg Baumann (320) 543-2630.
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