Nature Explore Certified School Ascension Lutheran School has earned national recognition as a Certified Nature Explore Classroom from the Nature Explore program, a division of the nonprofit Dimensions Educational Research Foundation. The Elementary School has proudly held this distinction since 2019. Nature Lab The Nature Explore Certified Nature Lab at Ascension Lutheran School is an integral part of our education community. The Nature Lab on our campus is a collection of tailored spaces for exploration and discovery including: a building and imagination area, outdoor art studio, music and theatrical stage, nature center classroom, and garden spaces. A unique outdoor curriculum created by our faculty intersects with core classroom subjects. Our studies focus on science and the social sciences, and we weave in art, math, and language arts. Students engage in practices that scientists and engineers use such as regularly completing naturalist studies to learn about the local species around them, patterns that occur in nature, and the geology of our area. It is also an important part of our faith life since we see our Creator God alive in the garden. Students gain both respect for and the knowledge to care for our natural resources. Beyond facilitating learning outside, the Nature Lab invites children to spend time with nature and gives them a chance to breathe and relax.National Wildlife Federation Certified Schoolyard Habitat We are excited to announce that in Spring 2021, Ascension Lutheran School was recognized as a Certified Schoolyard Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. Our 6th Grade Class of 2021 led the initiative to apply for this distinction. Our spacious campus grounds have officially been recognized as a habitat that provides animals food, water, cover, and places to raise young and also serves as a teaching tool in our outdoor education programming.

Express Yourself at Ascension Ascension Lutheran School believes there is creative potential within every child that should be embraced and nurtured. Our teachers encourage and expand children’s interests in music, acting, instruments, sound, or set design. Students find ways to apply what they learn in music and performing arts in their other classes. Our arts programming gives students a chance to creatively solve problems, perform artistically, and express who they are as individuals. Music Class Students at all grade levels have music class two times per week. Beginning in transitional kindergarten students learn to listen to music, sing songs, participate in rhythmic activities, read music, and play instruments. Students build on skills each year from reading and notating music to applying vocal and instrumental skills in performing. Our music curriculum is well-rounded and seeks to give each child a knowledge of theory and concepts of music through games and creative hands-on activities. In our music program, students have many low pressure opportunities to gain confidence. Our hope is they try a variety of instruments and push themselves to try solo singing. All students gain knowledge and exposure to recorder and keyboard through our music curriculum.Worship Music Weekly Chapel on Wednesday is a pinnacle opportunity for students to enjoy, participate in, and lead live music. Our Middle School Academy students receive special instruction from our pastoral staff in Worship Arts to learn to create and direct the weekly Chapel liturgy.Performing Arts Ascension Lutheran School students emerge as confident performers as they participate in musicals, variety shows, grade level productions, and lead worship songs in Chapel. All students participate in two musical productions per year—our Christmas program and spring musical. Students also have opportunities to show off their unique talents during our annual talent show.

Growing in the Garden Gardening is an essential part of the Ascension Outdoor Classroom experience. The first garden at Ascension Lutheran School began at our preschool in 2009 when the teachers were inspired to connect children with nature. This original garden grew with contributions from elementary school classes and the church community. Our One Ascension Garden is now located next to our Makerspace and Nature Lab classrooms. This interactive garden features a greenhouse for growing, outdoor kitchen for farm-to-table cooking, amphitheater for worship and performances, and beautiful garden-scaping that includes native California plants and specialty trees.Cultivating New Skills We use the boxes in our garden for each class to grow food items such as beans, peas, kale, and carrots, and learn how to cultivate and sustain a garden. In doing so our students come to understand where our food comes from and healthy nutrition practices that give our bodies what they need. We take time to appreciate the beauty around us and practice being still in God’s creation. Our garden encourages the entrepreneurial spirit as well. Every February, each elementary class plants a variety of tomato seeds and tends to them as they grow. In the spring, students sell these tomato plants to school families, church members, and the local community to raise funds for improving and expanding our Outdoor Classroom.

Our Physical Education program helps students develop the skills, confidence, and healthy habits needed for lifelong physical activity.TK–4th GradeStudents build a strong foundation in fundamental movement and motor skills through age-appropriate activities and games. Physical fitness, health awareness, teamwork, respect, and sportsmanship are integrated throughout the program. As students progress, activities transition from play-based movement to structured games and skill development across a variety of sports.5th–8th GradeStudents build upon their foundational skills while developing greater strength, fitness, and knowledge across a variety of sports. Teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership, and healthy habits remain an important focus. As students advance, they also deepen their understanding of sports through strategy, refereeing, coaching, and game analysis. At all grade levels, physical education at Ascension encourages cooperation through teamwork and teaches sportsmanship like learning how to lose graciously and how to work out conflict. For information about our extracurricular Athletics program, click here.

Our Spanish program introduces students to the Spanish language and culture while building a strong foundation for future language learning. Through engaging, age-appropriate instruction, students develop vocabulary, pronunciation, listening comprehension, and conversational skills, with concepts becoming more advanced as they progress through the grades.Spanish instruction increases as students move through our program. Students in grades TK–4 receive Spanish once per week, 5th grade students twice per week, and Academy students three times per week for 40-minute classes.By providing consistent exposure throughout the elementary and middle school years, our goal is for students to enter high school with confidence, a solid foundation in Spanish, and the skills needed to succeed in high school-level language courses.

Visual Arts CurriculumAscension Lutheran School's comprehensive Visual Arts program in Makerspace represents an exciting evolution that builds upon our school's commitment to inquiry-based learning and hands-on exploration. Through drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media, and digital art, students will develop artistic skills alongside essential qualities like perseverance, problem-solving, and confidence. The Visual Arts curriculum will address concrete artistic skills—including observation, design thinking, and creative risk-taking—while making meaningful connections across math, science, and literacy. By aligning with California Art Standards for Visual Arts and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), students will explore real-world applications in architecture, marketing, and engineering. This vibrant program provides a vital space for creative expression and social-emotional development, helping every student discover their unique gifts and share them with each other and our community.Art & Faith as One at Ascension The seasonal, holy calendar is another way that Ascension Lutheran School connects visual arts with the educational experience. Holidays are a time both for decorating our church sanctuary and making hand-made gifts. In the spring, each class creates a faith-inspired project to donate to the annual Auction Gala.