Home/Grades 1–8
Christian Elementary & Middle School · Bay City, MI

Grades K–8: strong academics, strong character, strong faith.

From first graders becoming READERS to middle schoolers debating big ideas, Zion students grow in small classes where teachers know them—and most go on to high school honors classes.

The journey, grade by grade

Every stage, taught on purpose.

Grades 1–2 are where it all clicks: students put the pieces of preschool and kindergarten together to become readers, and begin expressing their own ideas in writing. Our classrooms use the Daily 5 structure, so the teacher works with small groups while students build independence.

Grades 3–5 live by the motto “I can do it myself”—independent work, the journey through multiplication tables, and creative writing with real detail.

Grades 6–8 follow a junior-high model with subject-specialized teachers. Students dig into Luther’s Small Catechism, question and discuss ideas, and work through individualized, self-paced math—up to Introduction to Algebra and Geometry.

Daily access to Chromebooks, iPads, and Smartboards—technology class twice a week.

Measured growth

Every student’s progress is tracked with the NWEA MAP assessment three times a year.

Grades 1–8 curriculum

What your child will learn.

Faith & memory work

Bible stories that connect to everyday life, bi-weekly chapel, and memory work twice a week—with middle schoolers studying Luther’s Small Catechism and writing their own statement of belief.

Reading

The Daily 5 structure with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, the schoolwide Accelerated Reader program with individualized reading goals, and getepic at school and home.

Writing, grammar & spelling

From complete sentences and capitalization to narratives, poems, essays, and research papers—supported by one-on-one writing conferences.

Math

Addition and subtraction strategies, geometry, money, and time in early grades (with IXL support)—growing into individualized, self-paced courses up to Introduction to Algebra and Geometry.

Science & STEM

Rotations through Life, Earth, and Physical Science and Chemistry, built on experiments, projects, and the seven cross-cutting STEM concepts. Plus a Robotics Club.

Social studies

Culture, geography, history, economics, and citizenship—preparing students so well that most participate in high school honors classes.

Spanish

Nearly nine years of Spanish by 8th grade—from colors and numbers to real beginning conversations, mixed with Spanish culture and heritage.

Music

Music has been part of Zion since 1901. Worship music is part of every day, with choir or instrumental band twice a week as students grow.

Technology

Daily access to computers, iPads, Chromebooks, and Smartboards, with technology class twice a week.

RecessPhysical fitnessLibraryArtChapelChoir & bandRobotics ClubAthletics
Beyond the classroom

Sports, service, and school family.

Zion students play basketball, soccer, and volleyball from Pee-Wee through A-level teams, mentor younger students in our multi-grade community, and serve neighbors through outreach projects. It’s a school where older kids look out for younger ones—and everyone belongs.

Explore Zion athletics →

Coed soccer, basketball, and volleyball for grades K–8.

Now enrolling grades 1–8

Ready for a school where your child is known?

Tuition is $330/month per student with sibling discounts, payment plans, and scholarships available.