Our program begins on the second Sunday after Labor Day and runs through the second Sunday in June. We have over one hundred forty students enrolled at the present time. Classes for all ages begin promptly at 9:15 and end at 10:15. School is in session on most Sundays, with the exception of a few holidays. Classes are held in the Parish House located across the street from the Church for Infants/Toddlers through Grade 10 .

 


Our classes help teach our children the most important stories - the key messages - of our Christian faith.  They will hear how God loves them and how each child and each person is made in God's image.  They will hear that we all have more than enough, ant that loving as God loves is the best way to live.

 


All this happens in a loving setting, with dedicated teachers and volunteers.  Our culture teaches us that we are not good enough, that we don't have enough, and that we should look out for ourselves first.  At Christ Church, we seek to practice another way of living.  Children will practice being part of a compassionate community, learning that love is really the only thing that matters - God's love for us, our love for God, and our love for one another.

Infant/Toddler Care
Infant/Toddler care is offered every week, except for holidays, for children under the age of three; and is attended by parents who serve on a rotating schedule. This care is offered during the 9:15 class time and again during the 10:30 service. More "formal" classes begin once the children enter preschool.

 

Preschool and Younger Children
Preschool and Grades 2, 3, and 4 use the Episcopal Children's Curriculum. It is a Bible based, liturgically oriented curriculum. As all Christians do, we look to the Holy Scripture for the content and view the Bible as the Word of God. Each week, we come together, hear the word (along with explanations), and go forth to live in the world. The unit themes are built on four foundations: Old Testament, New Testament, Sacraments and the Church.

 
We are excited to have a wonderful program in our Pre-K/Kindergarten and First Grade classrooms called Godly Play. This is a hands-on approach to Christian Education through the art of language-parable, sacred story and liturgical action to help these young learners become more fully aware of the mystery of God's presence in our lives.

Toddlers through grade three begin their weekly classroom time with a small group service in our Lower Chapel. At the end of class time, all students (with the exception of Infant/Toddlers) will be walked upstairs by their teachers to meet up with families in the Great Hall in the Parish House. It is very important of the students to experience being at God's table as part of their understanding of God's Word and Lessons, and celebrating this as a family is very special.

 

Older Children
A fairly new curriculum for us, also liturgically based, has been introduced to Grades 5 and 6 called Living the Good News. These students have a great deal of practice locating specific passages in their classroom bibles and learning about the stories that we hear in church and how we can apply them to our lives.

Journey to Adulthood (J2A)
This year, our students in grades 7, 8, 9 and 10 will begin a new program called Journey to Adulthood (J2A).  This program will better serve our students as they prepare both for confirmation and for life as young men an women in today's world.  
 

J2A is first introduced to our 7th and 8th graders in a program called Rite 13.  The 9th and 10th graders will continue the program with their two-year "Journey to Adulthood". If your child is interested in expressing an adult commitment to the faith through Confirmation, please have them contact our Associate, Melody Shobe.

 

For more information regarding the J2A program, click here.

Children with Special Needs
Last year, we opened a new classroom for students with special needs, so that all in our parish community can experience Christian education.  Throughout our entire program, we look to meet the diverse learning styles and skills of each student and are able to make accommodations or set up strategies as needed.  Please let us know if we can be of special assistance to your child.