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Here at SJCS we CELEBRATE learning. We celebrate because we believe learning and growth are a BIG DEAL. They are at the core of what we do. But even more importantly, it is worth the extra fun and the extra attention, because learning does not just happen.

Learning, growth, and achievement are the result of hard work on the part of students, staff, and administrators. We love what we do, and over the years that students journey from Preschool through 8th grade, we get to see students’ spiritual growth, social growth, and academic growth. We love to see the impact, and this impact is worth celebrating!

Here is some of what we are celebrating at the end of the 2025-26 school year.
 

MAP Growth Scores

The NWEA MAP Growth Assessment, given to 2nd-8th graders twice a year, gathers unbiased data on each student’s current academic performance, academic growth, achievement on national standards, and comparison to national norms.

This spring, our students once again showed high growth and high achievement. This continues a multi-year trend of SJCS grade-level averages (navy) outperforming national grade-level averages (orange) in all subjects and grades! Although not shown on this chart, we outperform private school averages as well.

Student achievement looks different for every child. Our commitment to teach the Whole Child, supporting students where they are, is central to our mission. Teachers exemplify this commitment in their classrooms as they provide individualized support for every child. They know their students, and students feel a sense of belonging.

Additionally, SJCS offers support for students through the Arlet Veurink Learning Center, a unique form of academic support in a private school. In the Learning Center, students receive pull-out instruction where the ratio is 6:1 or fewer for reading, decoding, comprehension, and other language support. We are proud to be a school that values and works to support every child.
 

MS Science Fair 

At SJCS, learning is active, providing students with hands-on experiences in and out of the classroom as well as building in plenty of project-based learning opportunities. One big project for middle school students is the Science Fair.

At this year’s 3rd Annual Science Fair, all 6th-8th grade students presented their findings on scientific questions using the scientific method. Their projects ranged in topic and field, but all projects showed genuine curiosity, problem-solving, and understanding. Walking around the displays, students shared with excitement how they went about testing their question and what they learned through the process.

The competition was judged according to a rigorous rubric that tested many aspects of the scientific method. Our external judge awarded 1st-3rd place using this rubric and recognized groups with overall achievement in their complete project testing, presentation, and analysis.

But our celebration did not stop there! This year, SJCS also awarded and celebrated groups who exceeded expectations in a given area or overcame a significant, recognizable obstacle. These additional awards celebrated a greater spectrum of student learning, growth, and achievement in areas that align with SJCS’s Throughlines with categories such as excellence in group work skills and excellence in overcoming obstacles.

“The students are what make this experience so rewarding–they are thoughtful, creative, and willing to learn. While the process can be challenging at times, the science fair shows that students can overcome obstacles and accomplish difficult things.” Ms. Loewen, Teacher and 3rd Annual SJCS Science Fair Organizer

What a joy to see the confidence and excitement in these students during their presentations. The science fair reflected and embodied why we do what we do at SJCS, and it is gratifying to see our students be the Active Learners, Collaborative Workers, and Effective Communicators our program builds them up to be.
 

Preschool & 8th Grade Graduation 

Our graduation ceremonies are a little different at SJCS, with active student involvement. Even our preschool graduation was guided by the students, who led the prayer, songs, and spoken portions of the ceremony. From the earliest years in our program, our students are part of their learning process and the celebration of that learning.

During the ceremony, each preschool graduate shared how they see or feel God’s love by completing the sentence “I know God loves me because…”

• “I can smile and share joy.”
• “I am brave”
• “I can shine my light”
• “I can forgive others”
• “I am wonderfully made”

What a joy to hear these students profess their faith in their own words before their family and community.

In 8th grade, the entire graduation ceremony is student-led. The 8th grade class chooses the scripture and speaker and each student has a part in the ceremony. One of our favorite parts each year is the “Our Story” section where students share stories of how they have grown in learning and faith during their years at SJCS.

Graduates also spoke about engaging with challenging topics in classroom debates, growing in presentation skills and communicating their ideas effectively, and learning to be more responsible with active learning opportunities in elementary school. 

Speaking of an overnight field trip in 7th grade, one student shared, 

“As I continue my faith journey in high school, I will continue to grow in my faith by trusting God and keeping him at the center of my life. Hume Lake helped me grow closer to God, and I want to carry that with me into my future.”

Another student referred to her spiritual, social, and emotional growth while at SJCS by talking about the impact of More than a Selfie. In Middle School, students have a boys’ and girls’ breakout group to address topics of spiritual discipline and grow in social-emotional skills.

“Through high school there will be more of a struggle with self image and worth. More than a Selfie has given us each the encouragement to do the right thing and know that through God’s eyes we are perfect. Even though I will still face challenges in self-image throughout my life, I’m glad that I have the advice from More than a Selfie to take with me on my journey.” 

SJCS’s emphasis on teaching the Whole Child builds intentional, social-emotional learning into our program.

Our SJCS graduation ceremonies are not only reflective and momentous, but truly demonstrate what our program does for every student. Students lead in and outside the classroom. Our staff empowers and supports each child in all their years at SJCS to apply their academic and spiritual learning. At graduation, students are not trying something for the first time or being given greater independence as 8th graders. Instead, they are representing the ways that all along–from preschool to elementary to middle school–they learned to use their voice, to lead, and to serve.
 

The SJCS Difference

We know that what we do is possible because of our intentional, family-school partnerships and the commitment we all share to academic excellence and faith integration. Our Christian school for Christian families is built on this shared goal and effective because of our partnerships.

We celebrate another year and another graduating class that has been filled with hard work, intentionality, and a shared commitment to our 66-year-old mission.