Learning during COVID-19: St. Marcus Lutheran School
After a staggered rollout, all St. Marcus students now learning online
By: Isral DeBruin
As schools shift to serve students remotely during the COVID-19 crisis, some are emerging as standouts. These schools aren’t stopping at basic worksheet packets and instead are offering their students coordinated, school-wide, comprehensive distance learning. City Forward Collective is highlighting these schools to spread best practices and encourage others to keep students moving forward.
St. Marcus Lutheran School rolled out distance learning on a staggered timeline, as the school’s team worked to ensure all students had access to needed technology.
All students in grades 5–8 already had school-issued Chromebooks, which allowed the middle schoolers to begin virtual learning on March 23.
Students in grades K4–4 started with paper packets of learning materials and access to online resources, while the school surveyed families about their technology needs and worked to purchase additional Chromebooks. Primary grades began full online distance learning April 6.
Distance learning at St. Marcus begins each day with new videos from teachers covering the day’s academic content. In the afternoon, students interact with teachers in real time. Teachers also host livestream virtual classes and discussions. To facilitate structure and help parents, St. Marcus has provided an optional schedule for students in primary grades. The schedule alternates between academics and activities like art and exercise.
Aside from teaching and learning, other aspects of school life have also resumed, albeit virtually. Report cards were issued electronically on March 31, and a round of parent/teacher conferences took place in early April.
To ensure needs are met for all in the St. Marcus community — students, their parents, school staff, church congregants, and neighbors — the St. Marcus Emergency Response Team uses an online form to identify needs and connect volunteers who can provide time, donations, or money to those impacted by COVID-19 and the corresponding economic fallout.
FACTS & FIGURES
St. Marcus is a private Lutheran school accepting tuition vouchers through the Milwaukee Parental Choice, Wisconsin Parental Choice, and Special Needs Scholarship programs.
- Grades: K3-8
- Enrollment: 830 students
- Student demographics: 87.7% Black; 5.9% Two or More Races; 3.3% Latin@; 2.5% White; 0.2% American Indian; 0.2% Pacific Islander; 0.1% Asian
- Students from economically disadvantaged households: 73.7%
- Students with special needs: 10.6%
- Students with limited English proficiency: 0%
- State rating: Significantly Exceeds Expectations
2018–19 data from Wisconsin School Report Card system
Isral DeBruin is director of strategy and communication at City Forward Collective. He is a former elementary school teacher and award-winning education reporter.
