Testimonials & Articles from PoP Parents & Alumni
"Hearts on Fire Speech"
Solomon writes in Proverbs 22: "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." I believe this Scripture passage accurately describes the impact my education at Prince of Peace Lutheran School has had on me. After my family moved to Minnesota, I attended Trinity Lutheran School and Prince of Peace Lutheran School from 4th through 8th grade, and graduated in 2005. I then attended Sauk Rapids-Rice High School for four years and am now a freshman at Concordia University-St. Paul. The years I spent at our Lutheran dayschool had a great influence on my life academically, socially, and spiritually.
To begin, the education I received at Prince of Peace benefited me throughout high school and now into college. The small class sizes, wonderful teachers, and the classroom environment provided me with a great learning experience. The small class sizes allowed me to receive one-on-one attention and allowed me to work at my own pace and develop relationships with my fellow peers. The teachers at Prince of Peace were some of the best teachers I have had in my life. They continually challenged me academically and always encouraged me to do my best. Additionally, the classroom environment was always positive. Having a Christ-centered classroom resulted in constant encouragement, positive feedback, and healthy relationships between teachers and students.
In addition to providing a strong academic and educational foundation, Prince of Peace helped me develop socially. Almost immediately after I began attending our Lutheran school, my fellow classmates made me feel welcome, and many of the friends I made I still keep in contact with today. Small class sizes and combined classes allowed me not only to develop relationships with classmates and teachers, but being friends with the older students helped me to mature and gave me good role models to look up to and follow. Moving from a small school into a big public high school, though challenging, helped me in my college life, too. I've become more confident and outgoing because of the social skills I learned at Prince of Peace, and that has helped me make great friends and to know the qualities to look for in a friend.
Most importantly, Prince of Peace helped strengthen me spiritually. Going to a school where the teachers, the staff, and the students shared the same faith was an incredible experience. Attending Prince of Peace helped me learn even more about my faith and my Lutheran heritage. Being able to discuss religion with my teachers and peers, and to have a Christan worldview as a backbone for my education, gave me the courage to stand up for my faith in a public high school and to keep my morals and values grounded in that Christian faith. Growing up in a strong Christian home, church, and Lutheran dayschool prompted me to choose to go to a Lutheran university, and gave me a great appreciation for attending a school with Christian values.
Ultimately, the years I had at Prince of Peace were some of the most influential years of my young life. I am so thankful for the academic, social, and spiritual preparation received there. As Martin Luther once said, "God has not given you your children and the means to support them simply so that you may do with them as you please, or train them just to get ahead in the world. You have been earnestly commanded to raise them for God's service." At Prince of Peace, the students are being trained to serve both God and their neighbor, and the lessons they have learned will help them to achieve that goal.
"We just want you to know what a blessing it has been to have our daughter in your class. You have challenged her to learn, to think for herself, and to stand up for what she believes. You have helped to strenghthen her faith in Jesus. We really appreciate all you have done."
"When our son brings home his school papers with not just any smiley face sticker...they often say 'Jesus Loves You'...we knew Prince of Peace was the school for us."
"My daughter thanks me for sending her to this school!"
PAY NOW OR PAY LATER:
Choosing a Private School for Your Child
We have two children - one attends a public school and one goes to Prince of Peace Lutheran School, St. Cloud. Our children have different learning styles and blossom in different atmospheres.
We chose Prince of Peace Lutheran School for our son. The school is across from Gold's Gym on County Rd. 120. It offers interdenominational admission for pre-school through eighth grade students.
We believe the investment in our son's education is about paying now or paying later. Parents of public school students already pay for many expenses. To us, paying "tuition" was secondary to meeting our son's learning style and needs.
Some items to consider when you visit schools include:
- Your child's needs and their attitude about school: If your child's needs aren't being met, you will see it in their schoolwork and attitude. You are their best advocate to determine their needs. Children thrive in the right setting.
- Class size and teacher: We chose a private school student-teacher ratio of 1:16 over a higher public school ratio. Our son's teacher got to know him quickly. Her teaching experience, sensitivity, gentle guidance and individual attention have helped him flourish. She knows him and makes him feel special -- every day.
- Your child's learning style: Is your child a visual, auditory or "hands-on" learner? What other venues help him shine -- sports, music, theater? (Prince of Peace has competitive sports teams beginning in fourth grade.) Does your child need more space to enhance concentration and comfort? Observe a teacher and class in session.
- Spiritual and school environment: Prince of Peace Lutheran School is based on Trinity Lutheran School's 115-year history and offers a loving, faith-based community. It feels like family. It's a place where each child's growth and happiness matter.
Time is your child's gift. So are his faith and education. Choose wisely to make your investment for him pay forever.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
Finding the Right School for Your Child
In the world of "online" everything, it can be easy to forget one of the most important things your child needs: education that's "in line" with their needs. Not all children learn the same way. But they thrive in the right educational setting.
So here's a twist on education: do your homework to find the school that best meets your child's unique academic, spiritual and social needs. You know your child best. You are his best advocate.
One of our children attends a public school and one goes to a private Christian school. When we explored schools, we considered many factors. Among the most important was how each child felt about school. We asked questions such as, "Do our children anticipate or avoid school? Are they curious about what they are learning? Motivated? Bored? Struggling? Frustrated?" Your child's attitude and homework will tell you a lot. It's your job to know and listen. Teachers can't do all the work.
Be aware of your child's learning style. Is he a visual, auditory, kinesthetic or "hands-on" learner? Look for a school, classroom and teaching style that fit his learning style. A "hands-on," multi-sensory learner may be bored if he sits in a chair most of the day.
What kind of classroom environment does your child need? Our son once said, "I can't hear myself thinking in class. It's too loud and people are so close to me all the time." He needed more space to enhance his comfort and concentration. We found a classroom that's carpeted, not tiled. It's spacious and has several different work areas.
Other items to address include the teacher's instruction style and experience. Do they mesh with your child's learning style? Will his class size allow enough individual attention? This may be especially important if your child is more introverted. Observe a class if you can. Seek input from parents and school administrators. Look for a teacher who will build your child's academic and personal strengths, and help him turn "challenges" into assets.
Determine the strength of the curriculum, too. Review the textbooks and know the school's educational goals. Curriculum includes physical education. Our fifth grader is highly kinesthetic. He has physical education classes and recess every day, plus after-school competitive sports programs with his peers. Sports help him shine and challenge him to work hard.
Only 6 percent of schools nationwide now offer physical education five days a week. Yet exercise boosts brain function and enhances cognitive development, according to Dr. John J. Ratey, a Harvard Medical School clinical associate professor of psychiatry.
Find a school that enhances your child's interests. Our high school daughter is creative. She thrives on the arts. Her school offers excellent musical, theatrical, writing and digital media programs.
Finally, consider how the school's nurturing, respect, discipline, beliefs and values match your child's needs.
Once you've done your homework and chosen a school, be actively involved in his education. Thank teachers for investing so much in him - and support your school. Your child's self-esteem and future are on the line.
Prince of Peace Lutheran School4770 County Road 120, St. Cloud, MN 56303
Phone: 320-251-1477 | Fax: 320-251-8996
Email: Office@PrinceOfPeaceLS.org
Soaring on eagles' wings - Isaiah 40:31
