Why should I send my child to a small, one room, Christian day school?

If you want affordable, quality, private education for your child, you should send them to a small, one room Christian day school. If you feel that your child is getting “lost in the shuffle” of a large, one grade classroom and needs more one-on-one instruction time, you should send your child to a small, one room Christian day school. And most importantly, if you want an education that is grounded in God’s Word and teaches sinners about God’s love and plan of salvation, then you should send your child to a small, one room Christian day school!

What is the biggest difference between Peace Thru Christ and a public school?

The biggest difference between Peace Thru Christ Lutheran School and a public school is the fact that we teach about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Every day we begin school with a devotion followed by Bible History or Catechism. We end each day with hymns or a closing prayer. We pray during the school day whether it is before a meal, or a special prayer for a specific reason. Simply put, the biggest difference between our school and a public school is the presence of God’s Word in everything that is done.

What can Peace Thru Christ offer that a public school cannot?

Our school can teach all subjects from a Biblical perspective and is able to use God’s Word as the ultimate source of truth and direction for instruction and discipline.

For example, when science is taught, we can use our faith in God and His Word to interpret the world around us. This is important when teaching the origins of the universe. Students at Peace Thru Christ will be taught that the world was created in 6 literal days, as God’s Word tells us. They will also be shown that our world shows God’s immense power and wisdom and yet, despite the many wonders of creation, God bestows His love and forgiveness on us.

In social studies, God’s Word is used as the basis for discussion regarding world events, both past and present. It is wonderful to know that God is in control of world, and at Peace Thru Christ we can guide our students to view history through a Biblical perspective.

When it comes to classroom discipline, we have the best handbook there is for guiding our actions towards others. God’s Word tells us to love others, be kind, and to forgive. Our students are taught to treat others with Christian love and respect. However, we are all sinners and disciplinary situations will happen during school. But the difference between Peace Thru Christ and a public school is that we have the blessing and privilege of sharing the Good News of forgiveness of sins with our students!

What kind of classes would my child receive?

All students at Peace Thru Christ receive instruction in core classes (Math, Science, Social Studies, Grammar/Composition, and Reading) as well as various electives (Typing, Music, Physical Education, Art, Bible History and Catechism). We use a variety of trusted textbooks including both Christian and secular based publications. All textbooks used at Peace Thru Christ are carefully reviewed before they are implemented in the classroom.

 

What about extracurriculars?

Peace Thru Christ will strive to provide as many opportunities such as field trips and sports as we can for our students to participate in. There is an opportunity to participate in a Christian Church Organized Basketball tournament with other affiliate schools throughout the U.S.

 

Aren’t private schools expensive?

Our congregation subsidizes a large percent of the costs of Peace Thru Christ Lutheran School. This significantly reduces the costs to students who are members of the church:

Church Membership StatusTuitionBook FeesOther Fees
Peace Thru Christ Members & Members of sister CLC congregations$1000/ year, first child; 75% second child,
50% each additional child

$75/child/year 1-8 

$75/child/year K

As required by activity
Non-members  $4000/yr/ first child;
75% second child;
50% each additional child
$75/child/year 1-8 $75/child/year K As required by activity
Late Fees Starting at 5% of tuition per student$15/ year/childN/A

 

Will my child receive standardized testing?

All students 1st through 8th grade will receive standardized testing. We use the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, also known as the Iowa Assessments. These tests are used in many public schools around the country and are recognized as a valid test to measure student progression.

If my child attends Peace Thru Christ, will they be ready for high school?

Children who graduate from Peace Thru Christ will be prepared to enter high school. Often students from a one room school setting are ahead of their grade level and may already be performing high school level work before they finish eighth grade. Some of our own students go on to enroll in our affiliated private Lutheran High School in Eau Claire, WI where they continue to receive quality Christian education.

How does a one room, multi-grade classroom work?

A one room, multi grade classroom functions similarly to a one grade classroom, except instead of having, for example, one hour to teach math to one grade, we have one hour to teach math to three grades, or four grades. While this seems like a disadvantage at first, it is quite beneficial. For example, a typical one grade classroom may have thirty students. This means one teacher teaching math has one hour to make sure thirty students understand the math concept being taught. What happens if one student is struggling but the rest are ready to move on? That student who is struggling will continue to struggle. The teacher can’t hold everyone back while he/she spends extra time with the struggling student. And the teacher can’t let the struggling student move on with the rest of the class. At our school, students progress when they are ready. There is no need to keep plugging away at the math text book when they are struggling with a particular concept. We have the blessing of being able to teach our students where they are at academically, not where they are at according to grade/age. Instruction time is much more concentrated since the teacher only has fewer students per grade to instruct.

 

In a one room, multi-grade classroom it is not uncommon to see a 3rd grader reading at a 6th grade level or a 5th grader taking 6th grade math. And vice-versa, if a 4th grader is not ready for 4th grade math, we can teach 3rd grade or 2nd grade math. Children are taught what they are ready to be taught and challenged to the level they are ready to be challenged.

A one room, multi-grade classroom seems old fashioned. Are there advantages to putting my child in this particular classroom setting?

There are many advantages to a one room, multi-grade classroom.

 

Students receive more one on one instruction time than they would in a typical one grade classroom. Our student to teacher ratio is around 4:1! Think of Peace Thru Christ as full day tutoring for your child(ren)!

 

Students can be taught at their level. They progress and are challenged at levels they are ready for.

 

The same teacher teaches the same students for multiple years, allowing the teacher to understand and work with the students’ personal learning styles. This leads to an increase in the quality of education given and received.

 

Younger children are able to learn from older children.

 

Students are given a greater sense of personal responsibility and held to a higher level of accountability.

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6

Staff

Christine Gerbitz

Grades K-8 Teacher

I am excited to have a role in reopening the school at Peace Thru Christ. Teaching elementary school has been something I saw myself doing, even at a young age. Immanuel Lutheran High School and Immanuel Lutheran College was where I gained an invaluable base in the true Word of God. Then a detour was taken into farming, raising a family and banking. Each of these detours has prepared me to be a better teacher than I would have been without them.

I have educational experience from raising 5 children who are now adults. Our family has always been involved in Agriculture which led me to participate in a Wisconsin Farm Bureau leadership program. That program inspired me to continue pursuing my life-long dream to be a teacher. In 2022, I graduated from UW-Madison, certified to teach grades 1-8 and English as a Second Language. Teaching experiences include third and fifth grades; and most recently 6th grade English and Social Studies. I am looking forward to working with students and families as school starts this fall.

Our family joined Peace Thru Christ in December of 2005. Involvement in church includes teaching Sunday School, being a member of the Evangelism committee, Hannah’s Helping Hands, the School Start up committee, and directing the church choir.

Email: christine.gerbitz22@gmail.com 
Phone: 608-314-5227

Daniel Schaefer

Principal

I am a retired professor from the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. My professional experience includes research, teaching and academic administration.

Christian elementary education has always been important to me. My first professional position was as Assistant Professor of Animal Sciences at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. When the opportunity arose for me to move from Purdue to Wisconsin, an important consideration was the opportunity for our two children to attend a Lutheran Christian Day School in Madison.

I have been a member of the Peace Thru Christ congregation since 2011, and will soon complete my eighth year as congregational President. I am pleased to support and engage in the re-opening of the Peace Thru Christ Lutheran School. Lord, bless our efforts.

Email: schaeferd51@gmail.com 

Mark Tiefel

Pastor

I teach upper grades religious instruction and help with morning devotion. 

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin — Eau Claire in 2009 with a degree in history and from Immanuel Lutheran Seminary in 2012. I also graduated from Concordia University Wisconsin in 2021 with a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling. I enjoy being outdoors with my family, especially hiking and camping.

Email: marktiefel@hotmail.com 
Phone: 608-640-1956

Get in Touch

If you have questions or would like to learn more about our school or church, please reach out!

Email:
ptc.lutheran@gmail.com

Address:
3232 West Point Rd., Middleton, WI 53562