Faith in Every Student
St. Benedict Catholic School delivers a State of Iowa accredited K-8 program of academic excellence along with preschool classes for three and four-year-olds. The new media center, computer lab, and HVAC system, with new playground equipment, resurfaced parking lot, new sidewalks for access to the basketball court, and new classroom lighting offer a quality learning environment for our students. Close to the Winneshiek Medical Center and several blocks from downtown Decorah and St. Benedict Church, the spacious grounds have a ball diamond, volleyball area, soccer field, and football practice area as well as a natural prairie area and ample green space for recess activities and physical education classes.
A challenging academic curriculum with standards and grade-level expectations of the Archdiocese of Dubuque is taught by highly qualified teachers with specialists for art, music, computer, and physical education. The school counselor is from Catholic Charities. A resource teacher works with students having special needs and those in the primary grades needing extra reading support to have the services of a Title 1 teacher. Small class sizes allow teachers to differentiate instruction to meet individual student needs for extra help or more challenging work.
Students have many opportunities for developing confidence in public speaking, drama, music, and art. Students provide ministry at a parish Sunday Mass once a month as song leaders, lectors, and greeters. Fourth-grade students participate in the Immigrant Immersion Experience at the Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum. Middle-grade students have the opportunity to participate in MathCounts and choir. All eighth-grade students perform a musical drama each year. Seventh and eighth-grade students participate in the sports teams with the Decorah Community Middle School, as well as the 8th-grade band. We collaborate with Luther College with their education and nursing departments frequently having interns working with our teachers and students.
St. Ben’s – A Family Friendly Caring Learning Environment Where Students Develop Their Full Potential