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MCL – FAQ2023-10-11T10:25:56-07:00
MT. CALVARY LUTHERAN

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We know choosing a private education is a very important decision, one that needs to be done confidently.  Please contact us if you have unanswered questions.  We would love to answer them! Please call Mrs. Stephanie Han, our Admissions Director, at 909.861.2740 EXT. 101 or via email at [email protected].

Does Mt. Calvary use standardized state testing?2023-10-11T09:22:20-07:00

Mt. Calvary Lutheran School utilizes MAP Growth, part of the Growth Activation Solution from NWEA, is the most trusted and innovative assessment for measuring achievement and growth in K–12 math, reading, language usage, and science. It provides teachers with accurate, actionable evidence to help inform instructional strategies regardless of how far students are above or below grade level. It also connects to the largest set of instructional content providers, giving educators flexibility in curriculum choices.

Why does MCL use the MAP GROWTH test over others, such as the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) California Achievement Tests (CAT) or the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT)?2023-10-11T09:21:06-07:00

Better insights, better decisions, better outcomes

MAP Growth, part of the Growth Activation Solution from NWEA, is the most trusted and innovative assessment for measuring achievement and growth in K–12 math, reading, language usage, and science. It provides teachers with accurate, actionable evidence to help inform instructional strategies regardless of how far students are above or below grade level. It also connects to the largest set of instructional content providers, giving educators flexibility in curriculum choices.

Does Mt. Calvary offer any tuition assistance for their students?2016-08-24T21:19:25-07:00

Yes we do! Mt. Calvary Lutheran School offers financial assistance to qualifying families.  We utilize Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST), a third party service, to help determine financial needs of families. Using an outside agency such as FAST allows MCL to protect families and give them complete confidentiality and to provide third party objectivity.

Find out more at the bottom of our Tuition & Fees page.

How safe is Mt. Calvary?2023-10-11T09:30:48-07:00

Safety is essential at Mt. Calvary. In addition to having a facility that is located on a hilltop and off the street, our faculty and staff devote time talking about safety, evaluating our current safety procedures, and how we can make Mt. Calvary a safer place for our students. Some of the safeguards we have in place include:

  • Fully-gated campus with access only by assigned codes by administrators.
  • Required Live Scan, fingerprinting and mandatory reporters training for all faculty, staff, coaches, and people who spend time with our students.
  • A detailed crisis plan that includes intruder/lock-down procedures, earthquake, and fire drills.
  • All of our faculty and staff are certified first aid, AED & CPR administrators.
  • Security cameras monitor all incoming and outgoing traffic.
What curriculum do you use?2023-10-11T09:31:32-07:00

Our school does not involve the use of merely one academic curriculum. We work hard to evaluate and employ the best curriculum available that either meets or exceeds the California State Standards. For more detailed curriculum information see our TK-8th Grade Academic page.

What certification and/or degrees does our faculty and staff hold?2023-10-11T09:34:28-07:00

All of our educators are professionally trained in the academic discipline of education, and all of our teachers hold (at minimum) a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university in addition to a Lutheran teacher’s and/or California Teaching Credential. Most of our faculty and staff hold a Master’s Degree.

What are your academic standards?2023-10-11T09:49:51-07:00

Throughout its history, the school has maintained a high level of academic success in both our district and the local community. Mt. Calvary Lutheran School holds double-accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA).

We are not a Common Core math school. Our curriculum uses the Saxon math series and adjust it to the appropriate age level of each student based on their scores on the MAP Growth testing. Mt. Calvary is dedicated to providing a safe, stimulating, and orderly environment to learn and grow. Students participate in a variety of daily activities and enrichment opportunities such as Athletics, Drama, Music, and Dance.

Our educational curriculum develops the student spiritually, academically, physically, and socially. Our advanced language program focuses on applied linguistics and multilingualism offerings; including an ESL tutoring program for all students who are utilizes a second language in their household. MCL utilizes interactive computer activities which reiterate what the children are learning during class time such as matching shapes, colors, sequencing, word building, letter sounds and identification; while encouraging learning collaborative use of technology.

What are our classrooms daily schedules?2023-10-11T09:59:41-07:00

TK-4th Grade regular school days are Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

5th-8th Grade regular school days are Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 AM to 3:15 PM.

Tk-8th Grade minimum school days are early dismissal at 11:30 AM.

Please request individual classroom schedule to your child’s teacher and/or the school office.

Early Childhood Center regular schedule are Mondays through Fridays from 6:30 PM to 6:00 PM.

School Age Care regular hours are Mondays through Fridays:

  • Before School 6:30 AM to 8:00 AM
  • After School 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Please refer to your individual classroom schedules from your child’s teacher for details on recesses and lunch break time frames.

Does my child need to be potty-trained?2023-10-11T10:10:08-07:00

Children ages 3 years old and above MUST be fully potty-trained before joining the Early Childhood Center’s three year old’s classroom. We are licensed for pull-ups/diapers for children under the age of 3 years old. Only pull-ups with Velcro sides may be used at school. Potty-training assistance is available for children enrolled in the 2 year old’s classroom.

Our teachers will take the 2 and 3 year old’s classrooms to the bathroom a minimum of every 45 minutes throughout the day to minimize accidents. We do ask that you bring a full sets of clean clothes for your child including socks and a pair of shoes to keep at the school in case he/she has an accident or needs to be changed.

Do we have to be Lutheran and/or religious to enroll our child?2023-10-11T10:14:18-07:00

No, you do not have to be Lutheran to be a part of the Mt. Calvary family. MCL is open to any family who wants their child to excel in a Christ-centered private education facility. We teach only what is in the Bible – no additional references or supplementations. Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior; we are saved by the grace of God and by His grace we will enter the gates of heaven, we teach forgiveness, love and mercy.

How often do you teach religion?2023-10-11T10:20:53-07:00

Mt. Calvary religion curriculum uses One in Christ and/or Enduring Faith. Religion session starts us at the beginning of each day. Wednesday worship mornings are reserved for Chapel time, which is held in the Family Life Center for TK-8th Grade usually at 8:15 AM – families welcomed to join and attend! Early Childhood Center’s chapel time is usually at 10:00 AM held in the Sanctuary/Church. We pray several times throughout the day, before school, snack and lunch times, naptime. We sing praises to God regularly throughout the day. Our students regularly perform at church services several times throughout the year and during advent services between November-December.

What is the ratio per classroom?2023-10-11T10:23:41-07:00
Our smaller classroom sizes allows for a personalized understanding of student needs and differential educational methods. MCL currently offers one classroom per grade/age group. 

Maximum Enrollment:

  • Infant: 8 students with 2 teachers
  • Toddler: 8 students with 2 teachers
  • Early Childhood Classrooms (2-4 years old): 24 students with 2 teachers
  • Transitional Kindergarten –  18 students with 1 teacher and 1 aide
  • Kindergarten – 20 students with 1 teacher and 1 aide
  • 1st & 2nd Grade – 22 students with 1 teacher and 1 aide
  • 3rd to 5th Grade–  24 students; 1 homeroom teacher plus additional instructors/coaches for Spanish/Athletics programs.
  • 6th to 8th Grade –  25 students; 1 homeroom teachers plus rotational classroom/teachers for different subjects/electives.
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