FAQs

Students at Stella Schola are with the same teacher for 5 periods (out of 6), thus a strong sense of ‘team’ and belonging is developed, giving each student strong teacher and peer support.

The Stella Schola curriculum is comprehensive and flows over a three year period. Subjects are integrated into historical themes so that students can see how the concepts they are studying relate to each other. This allows depth of learning and better retention of subject matter.  Literature is presented, discussed, and analyzed. Writing assignments are given often, and homework to support learning is consistent. Hands-on projects and field trips  are incorporated. Instruction is geared to challenge students to achieve at their highest potential, and teachers make themselves accessible to assist students in achieving their goals by encouraging students to make appointments for assistance after school.

Students are assessed in a variety of ways. Some of those include: teacher observation, peer evaluation, group evaluation, essay testing, paper/pencil testing, computer-based testing, project based analysis, and self analysis. Students also participate in standardized state testing just like any other student in the district (although standardized test results are not used in the student evaluations). Grades can be accessed by parents and students via Skyward on the computer (password protected) at any time of the day.

Comprehensive curriculum means that areas of study are challenging and in depth. Students will be guided and taught to read, write, analyze, calculate, and evaluate at a high level in each area of study.

Although the subjects are taught in an integrated fashion, teachers keep grades and records separately in each subject area. Grades are available on Skyward. Stella Schola posts a report card on Skyward on a semester basis, along with a 20 minute academic conference with parents & and their child twice a year (November and March).

Field trips are considered part of the instruction at Stella Schola and are one of the best tools for learning! We offer several engaging field trips each year that correlate to academics learned in class. Field trip costs are separate expenses and fees are requested shortly before each trip. Parents drive and chaperone on trips, which help fulfill volunteer hours. Anyone with a financial need, is invited to email Mrs. Jensen: sjensen@lwsd.org

Stella Schola students easily transition into high school as ninth graders.  The Stella alum is well prepared and typically adapts quite easily to the larger school atmosphere. Because of the academic rigor and multiple group projects, Stella students acquire the academic and organizational skills necessary to be successful in honors or AP classes at the high school level.  

Stella Schola Students have the choice to  participate in sports at either their neighborhood middle school or at Rose Hill Middle School. Families sign up directly with the school they choose during the specified enrollment times for each sport.

Parents perform 20 hours of volunteer service per family for Stella Schola. This  benefits the students of Stella Schola by providing extra support for all of the enriching activities. There are volunteer opportunities in many areas... classroom and materials-prep assistance, chaperoning and driving on field trips, providing PTO approved clubs/activities, serving on the PTO Advisory Committee or the Grant Procurement Committee, and chaperoning at dances.