Multi-Grade Classrooms

While most people today are used to one grade per classroom, St. Paul Lutheran School uses multi-grade classrooms that utilize additional teachers (instructors) as needs arise. Current student to teacher ratios is 15:1.

Former St. Paul middle grades teacher Dawn Schnare says:

"We are better able to teach children where they are despite their age or current grade with combined classes. I have students bumped up and I have students working below their "grade level" in various subjects because that is the instructional level that they need. Students suffer when the focus shifts to teaching students for the sake of a score instead of teaching students for the sake of learning."

Historically, classical education was built on a three tier time frame for education that was not bound by a student’s age, but skill level. There are many advantages to a multi-grade classroom spiritually, academically, and socially.

• Students are always able to review what they have previously learned and work ahead if they are able.

• Individual instruction is much more easily achieved.

• Children are able to find mentors and friends in older grades who will help them in many ways.

• Older students learn patience and helping skills.

• A multi-grade classroom better reflects the style of learning in the world, where it is very rare to be in an environment where all of the people are of the same age and educational background. 

• “Students show increased self-esteem, more cooperative behavior, better attitudes toward school in general, increased pro-social (caring, tolerant, patient, supportive) behavior, enriched personal relationships, increased personal responsibility, and a decline in discipline problems.”