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 Elementary 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 signing. All students gain knowledge and exposure to recorder and keyboard through our music curriculum.

Worship Music

Our week begins with a Monday morning song celebration—a lively mix of children’s worship songs and other 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 Elementary 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 Life 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.

Ascension Students in Motion Grades TK-4: Skills and Sportsmanship Students in the lower grades at Ascension Lutheran School look forward to physical education class held twice a week. We are blessed to have both a large campus with great outdoor spaces and an indoor gymnasium in Pederson Hall for year-round physical activities and sports.

Our youngest students work on basic locomotor skills that prepare them for sports later on and strive to earn their "Locomotor License". We play fun games with funny names like Grumpy Grandpa, Sleeping Giant, Banana Tag, and Waspital and progress towards more complex games like Capture the Flag and the introduction of sports.

Grades 5-8: Fitness and Teamwork PE in our upper grades focuses on both overall fitness and sports-specific units that are taught in each of our trimesters. Fall is dedicated to volleyball and flag football, winter to basketball, and spring to soccer. Students work on essential skills for each sport, learn the rules of the game, and engage in friendly scrimmages. Our year concludes with an end-of-year fitness test. 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.

A STEM Laboratory

The Makerspace is a STEM-focused laboratory for Ascension Lutheran Elementary School students to develop 21st-century skills including problem-solving, critical thinking, persistence, and collaboration through hands-on learning and exploration. Students have the opportunity to take learning to the next level as they create, invent, wonder, and tinker using a variety of tools and supplies including our 3D printers and robots. Students have access to maker materials like PVC piping, recyclables, craftsman tools, craft supplies, and technology equipment like robotics and coding devices. The Makerspace curriculum encourages students to explore their God-given gifts and take their classroom learning to the next level.

Real-World Problem Solving

Goals for the Makerspace include enriching Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math experiences for students, offering opportunities for problem-based explorations, and ultimately, to inspire our students to realize their potential in using their critical thinking skills to address real-world problems.

Vamonos: Learn the Spanish Language to appreciate other cultures

Ascension Lutheran School's Spanish curriculum is committed to preparing students to be able to communicate using the Spanish language, and to continue their Spanish language experience successfully in middle and high school. Additionally, through the study of the Spanish language and culture, students will increase their global awareness and develop an appreciation for the cultures and contributions of others.

Grades K-2

Students in grades K–2 learn basic vocabulary and expressions through songs, books, games, and oral activities. Students have the opportunity to hear and speak Spanish as they learn through units including greetings, calendar, family, classroom, colors, foods, animals, and more.

Grades 3 & 4

In the 3rd and 4th grades students are able to greet and respond to greetings, introduce and respond to introductions, express likes/dislikes, make requests, provide information, obtain information, and express needs at a basic level in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Grade 5

Students are introduced to a foundational textbook at an entry level, allowing them to further develop the skills they have acquired. The curriculum is strategically crafted to seamlessly connect with their existing knowledge while introducing more advanced concepts. Engaging activities such as Spanish games and basic conversational interactions with classmates are incorporated, transforming the learning experience into not just an educational endeavor but also a fun and enjoyable one.

Grades 6-8

Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students embark on their Spanish language journey with the introduction to Spanish 1, a fundamental component of the high school curriculum. To enrich their learning experience, students will utilize textbooks, workbooks, and a diverse array of online resources, including audio files and interactive activities. Within the classroom setting, they will actively participate in conversational interactions with their peers, creating a dynamic and enjoyable environment that fosters the development of a robust foundation in the Spanish language. At Ascension this is a three-year course covering the beginning units of the high school curriculum and incorporating vocabulary and grammar relating to the students’ lives. Students will develop an appreciation for the contributions, cultures, and customs of the Spanish-speaking world.

Adventures with Art Trek Ascension Lutheran School partners with Art Trek, an independent, hands-on, not-for-profit arts organization, to bring quality visual art experiences into our classrooms. Student art lessons include drawing, painting, sculpting, and constructive art taught by seasoned art instructors. Both Ascension and Art Trek believe in the importance of emphasizing the process of creating art and focusing on the creative experience, imagination and exploration, and individual expression.

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.