Academics

God's Word reminds us that our faith unites us with Christ, just as it unites us with other Christians. Our faith in Jesus makes the Christian classroom a unique and wonderful place, different from any other classroom. Jesus Himself has promised, "for where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them" (Matthew 18:20). Classrooms dedicated to Jesus look, feel and sound unlike all other classrooms. One in Christ is centered on our Savior, Jesus, One in Christ provides religion teachers with solid Christian curriculum to help children learn the Bible and grow in faith. Including more than 200 Old and New Testament Bible stories, the One in Christ curriculum provides a comprehensive presentation of major Bible stories for infants through Grade 8. One in Christ materials not only guide and equip the teacher for helping students learn God's Word, but they also provide practical, engaging ideas and suggestions for rooting and connecting all t hat takes place in and extends from the classrooms. This learning reaches into the other areas of the curriculum as well as onto the playground and the playing field, into the home and neighborhood ,and ultimately around the world. (Concordia Publishing House)

Our 1st-8th Grade classes use Sadlier Math. This curriculum provides students with the foundational skills needed to become proficient in math, use a consistent instructional approach, with stepped-out lessons, to help learners gain confidence and master skills and strengthens students’ comprehension levels with ample opportunities to implement the Standards for Mathematical Practice.

In Science at Our Shepherd, students are learning and seeing His design. Every grade level is approached from a Christian perspective, and you’ll find Scripture and biblical principles used to emphasize or illustrate concepts. 1st Grade: Discovering God's World, Abeka 2nd Grade: Enjoying God's World, Abeka 3rd Grade: Exploring God's World, Abeka 4th Grade: Understanding God's World, Abeka 5th Grade: Investigating God's World, Abeka 7th Grade: Order & Design, Abeka 8th Grade: Matter and Energy, Abeka Our philosophy doesn’t come from what sounds good or from what other people are doing right now. Instead, our teacher-led, character-building philosophy comes from a biblical foundation—Proverbs 22:6a, “Train up a child in the way he should go.”

Our 5th-7th grade classes along with their teachers attend Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center. Sherman Lakes puts Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all, while instilling an appreciation of our natural environment. The four core values of Sherman Lake are Honesty and Responsibility (HCRR). These core values are integrated into all activities and conversation at camp. Our students are able to experience many activities from kayaking, archery, rock climbing, capture the pig and the giant swing. In the evening students enjoy dodge ball (HCRR Style), swimming in the pool, a night hike and skits.

Youth ‘4’ Truth- 1st-2nd Grade They sing four times per year in church and are part of the Sunday School events on Palm Sunday and Christmas Eve. They also sing for Award’s Night at the end of the school year. Jubilation Choir- 3rd-4th Grade They sing four times per year for regular church services, plus one advent Service, Carols by Candlelight, Sunday School events on Palm Sunday and Christmas Eve (optional), and Award’s Night at the end of the school year. They also sing at one other area church during the school year as an outreach event. Young Disciple- 5th-8th Grade They sing four times per year for regular church services, plus one Lenten Service, Carols by Candlelight, Sunday School events on Palm Sunday and Christmas Eve (optional), and Award’s Night at the end of the school year. They also sing at Historic Trinity during Lent and at least one other church in the area as an outreach event. This choir is required for 5th and 6th graders; it is elective for 7th and 8th graders

Art education enriches students’ lives. It gives students knowledge, sensitivity, understanding, and appreciation of God’s world around them. The Kindergarten through eighth grade visual arts curriculum is aligned with the Michigan Standards, Benchmarks, and Grade level Content Expectations.

Equip. Engage. Encourage. Expand. Our goal is to instruct all students on appropriate use of technology and their responsibility to leave a Godly Digital Footprint. We will model and encourage usage that will allow students to discover the world that God created and their role in it. Our students will be equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in high school, college and a part of God's Kingdom. Students will work together and expand their learning environment to take learning beyond the classroom walls. We will provide hands-on opportunities that allow students to take the reigns and experience the joy of exploratory learning. Our lower grades focus on keyboarding, navigating through online resources, digital citizenship, OSMO iPads and many other Web 2.0 tools. Our upper grades focus on 3D Design, digital citizenship, Google Apps, designing, blogging and social medias.

The music program at Our Shepherd enables students to explore themselves musically, as well as help them become independent musical thinkers and creators. Using authentic musical examples, children will listen to, discuss, sing, perform on instruments, improvise, compose, play games and move to music. Through this process, students will explore how the elements of music (pitch, rhythm, melody, form, timbre, dynamics, meter, texture and harmony) help humans express themselves using the language of music.

The objective of a foreign language program is to provide an opportunity to discover a new language and to experience other cultures through the study of the language. The teacher will create age appropriate Spanish learning lessons, develop and implement strategies for the 7 multiple intelligences and will integrate technology to foster language acquisition and learn about the Latino cultures.

Our Shepherd recognizes the importance of developing the students’ physical skills and supporting a healthy lifestyle. As a result, Our Shepherd Lutheran School offers extensive Physical Education for each student beginning in Kindergarten.