St. Paul's Lutheran School

🎉 Caps off to Ms. Miller’s preschool graduates! 🎉

Today was a major milestone for these little ones, and they looked pretty cute wearing their graduation stoles! 📜❤️

They treated us to a wonderful performance of their favorite songs, walked the stage to get their diplomas, and shared a beautiful, heartwarming video of their favorite preschool memories. 🎥✨

The perfect day ended with lots of smiles and sweet treats at their cookie reception with loved ones. What a beautiful way to close out the school year! 💚💙

Still contemplating your school choice for 2026-2027? It's not too late to join us at St. Paul's. At St. Paul’s, we believe every child is created with purpose, gifted with potential, and deserves a community that nurtures both heart and mind. If you’re seeking a school where your child will be known, valued, and challenged to grow in faith and learning, we invite you to choose St. Paul's! 💙💚

Did you know that St. Paul’s is one of Iowa’s premier private schools, holding the exact same accreditation as the state's public schools? This offers our families total peace of mind, proving that we meet the highest standards of academic rigor and accountability—all while beautifully infusing strong Christian values into everything we do.

In our classrooms, you’ll find:

✅ Strong academic instruction grounded in well-rounded Christian values.
✅ Small class sizes where students receive personal attention (Ratio 8:1).
✅ Appropriately licensed (through the Iowa Board Of Educational Examiners) school principal, teachers, and a caring staff who partner with families for student success.
✅ Faith integration that shapes character and cultivates joy.
✅ A safe, supportive environment where students thrive.
✅ Robust programming including licensed Specials teachers in PE, Music, and Art. Library and Spanish are included at every grade level, starting in Preschool.
✅ Extensions and support for students with IEP's, 504's and Title One needs. ELP opportunities provide extensions to challenge students to meet their unique potential.
✅ On site school nurse to provide care and support for health needs.
✅ Updated and remodeled facilities designed for future-ready learners.

✨ It is not too late to enroll at St. Paul's and there is no better time! ESA covers almost all K–6 tuition--parents pay less than $400 for the year! The application window closes June 30 — don’t miss out! You can apply here: https://educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/educational-choice/education-savings-accounts

We’d love to connect with you and share what makes St. Paul’s a place where faith leads learning. Message us or visit stpaulswaverly.org/elementary to learn more!

🎉Mark your calendars for another Applebee's fundraiser coming up on Tuesday, June 16th. Mention this post to your server and help support our Capstone families.

Welcome to "Team 1st Grade", Grace Avenson! 🍎✨

We are absolutely thrilled to introduce the newest member of our St. Paul’s family! Please join us in giving a warm welcome to 💙Grace Avenson 💚who will be partnering with Heather Maakestad in Team 1st Grade this upcoming school year!

Grace brings a wealth of enthusiasm, a strong background in early literacy, and a deep heart for faith-based education to our community.

Get to Know Ms. Avenson:

🏡 Hometown: Independence, Iowa. She is an alumni of St. John Catholic Schools, so providing a school environment where faith and learning go hand-in-hand is second nature to Grace!

🎓Education: Grace holds an Iowa teaching license, is a graduate of University of Northern Iowa (UNI), and has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with an additional specialization in Reading—a fantastic asset for our blooming 1st-grade readers!

💙What Grace loves most: Building meaningful relationships with students, families, and her new colleagues.

We are so blessed to have Grace join our mission of nurturing both minds and hearts of our 1st graders. Welcome aboard, Grace!

Show Ms. Avenson some of that famous St. Paul's hospitality in the comments below! 👇

🎓 Oh, the places they will go! 🎓 Today we celebrated Mrs. Brown’s preschool classes at their graduation, and our hearts are just bursting with pride!

Our little graduates kicked off the celebration by proudly leading the Pledge of Allegiance and reciting the Fruit of the Spirit. Next, they sang their special songs—and they absolutely loved rocking out to "Be Strong and Courageous!" 💪✨

The big moment came when each student crossed the stage to receive their well-deserved diplomas from Mrs. Freeman. 🎓

🍪🍉We wrapped up the perfect morning with cookies and families, followed by lots of sunshine and fun at the St. Paul’s family picnic! It was the absolute perfect ending to an incredible school year.

Congratulations to Mrs. Brown’s graduates! Have a safe, relaxing, and FUN summer! ☀️🍉🍦

🎤Mrs. Bienemann’s small but mighty afternoon preschool class closed out the school year with a memorable graduation celebration!

Students showcased what they have learned by performing songs and reciting favorite nursery rhymes for family and friends. The ceremony continued as each child crossed the stage, accepted a graduation certificate, and shared a handshake with Mrs. Bienemann. 🎓

🍪Families also received a heartfelt surprise as students presented the decorative plates they created during the year. The celebration concluded with cookies and time together, marking the end of a successful preschool journey and the beginning of exciting new adventures ahead. Congratulations to all of our graduates! 💚💙

🤩Smiles, laughter, and proud families filled the room as Mrs. Bienemann’s Monday/Wednesday/Friday Preschool Class celebrated graduation!

The students delighted the audience with songs and nursery rhymes before taking their turn in the spotlight. A big favorite was the ROCKET song! 🚀

Each graduate proudly walked across the stage to receive a certificate recognizing all they have accomplished this year. 🎓

A highlight of the celebration was the presentation of hand-decorated plates made especially for their parents. Following the ceremony, families gathered for cookies and fellowship while reflecting on a year full of growth, friendships, and new experiences. Congratulations, graduates! 💚💙

👨🏼‍🎓What a special day for Mrs. Bienemann’s Tuesday/Thursday Preschool Class!

Students took the stage to share songs and nursery rhymes they have been practicing throughout the year before celebrating their graduation. A favorite jam is "My God Is So BIG!" 💪

🎓One by one, each child crossed the stage, received a graduation certificate, and shook hands with Mrs. Bienemann as proud family members watched from the audience.

Graduates also presented their parents with beautifully decorated keepsake plates they created in class. The morning ended with cookies, conversation, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate this exciting milestone. Congratulations to these young learners on a wonderful preschool year! 💚💙