Each spring we test our students using the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS).  Three fundamental purposes for ITBS testing are to describe each student's developmental level within a test area, to identify a student's areas of relative strength and weakness in subject areas, and to monitor year-to-year growth in the basic skills.

       It's important to understand scores are reported in the group with which the comparisons are made.  A student's Iowa percentile rank (IPR) compares that student's scores with those of other students in the same grade level in Iowa who were tested at the same time of the year.   The student's national percentile ranking (NPR) compares that same student's score with those of other student's in his/her grade in the nation who were tested at that same time of year.  For example, if Joe earned a percentile ranking of 72 on the Language test, it means he scored higher than 72 percent of the students in the group with which he is being compared.  It also means that 28 percent of the group scored higher than Joe.  Other ITBS scores (not shown) include: developmental standard score (SS), percent correct (PC), raw score (RS).  Iowa grade equivalent (IGE) is a measure of how far students have developed compared to other students by grade in Iowa.   

       We have included summary graphs that show how Ames Christian School classes compare to the core total Iowa grade equivalent, core total national grade equivalent, national percentile ranking and Iowa percentile ranking.  Percentile ranks range from 1-99 (99 is best).  The bar graphs include core totals (reading, language and math) and composite totals (all subjects tested).  Your child's score is unique and will vary from these averages. These graphs show some key strengths of Ames Christian School including:   

• Ames Christian School students are learning ahead nearly half to 1 full grade level compared to other students when comparing core total Iowa grade equivalents
• Superior national percentile rankings across grades and subjects
• Excellent Iowa percentile rankings, especially in core subjects:  Reading, Language, & Math
• Very Good Iowa Composite percentile rankings
• Smaller class sizes and teachers who care about students continues to increase student learning
• Personalized Christian Education produces higher achievement levels

    We will continue to review ITBS information and are already looking into additional testing programs to help us better measure progress of our students in the next school year.  We continue to understand that there is room for improvement in delivering Excellence in Education.  If you have any questions regarding your student's scores, please contact your classroom teacher for a conference or our administrator for more information. 

*Only grades with five or more students have been summarized.

ITBS 2010 Summary - Ames Christian School

Topics of Summer 2010 Newsletter:

• Meet our preschool director
• Development Director - Coby Wells
• Spring Program
• Summer Olympics
• 2nd Annual Golf Outing
• ITBS Results
• Teacher Appreciation
• Math Olympics
• Bike-A-Thon

CLICK HERE to view the newsletter.

Do you desire Christian childcare for your child?  Choosing a childcare program is never an easy task for a family, but finding a program with a Christian emphasis can make the task even more challenging. Locating quality childcare involves more than just finding a safe place for your 3-5 year old. It involves finding a place for them to grow strong physically, mentally, and spiritually. Most childcare programs offer good nutrition and learning activities, but not many focus on giving children an introduction to their Savior. A Christian atmosphere applies the love and attitude of Christ to its learning environment and to its activities, as well as incorporating Bible stories and songs.  In light of this need, Ames Christian School's goal is to provide a program that would give parents of 3-5 year old children a new option for childcare at the school starting in August, 2010. 

This program would add daytime childcare for children ages 3-5 to our Preschool program. The childcare program would be an extended Christian learning environment designed to help children understand concepts and master skills necessary for accelerage their growth and development.  Fees will be comparable to the other preschool/childcare Programs around the Ames area.  If you would like more information or are interested, please email Peggy Smith at administrator@ameschristianschool.org or call the school at 515-233-0772.  We have a number of parents already planning for this great option!

The public has two different opportunities to visit Ames Christian School March 4, 2010. "Community Open House” is an invitation on Thursday, March 4 from 9 AM to 2:00 PM to come and observe ACS in action during a typical school day and from 5:30-8:00 PM for a Spaghetti dinner and “Classroom Showcase Night” at ACS.  All the ACS classrooms will showcase their students interacting with the school community in a creative, academic way.  Administrator Peggy Smith, teachers, and board members will be available to answer questions about curriculum, academic objectives, scholarships, and more. Anyone in the community who has an interest in ACS, as well as prospective students and their families may tour the school building, participate in the meal, and observe the classrooms.  “ I’m excited for the community to come in and observe our dedicated Christian teachers educate, model, and mentor their students.  "This staff provides a safe, caring, and loving Christ-centered environment for students to excel in,” said Mrs. Smith.

Two sessions of Academic and Early Kindergarten Roundup will be offered at Ames Christian on Monday, March 8, from 9 to 10:30 AM or from 6 to 7:30 PM.   At Kindergarten Roundup parents are encouraged to bring their Kindergarten age child to participate in activities in the Kindergarten room while the parents attend an informational meeting about the school and the Kindergarten programs in the Multi-Purpose room with Mrs. Smith. She will discuss in detail the differences between Early and Academic Kindergarten.  After the meeting parents will tour the school and join their children in the Kindergarten room to meet Kindergarten teacher, Carol Baedke, and Early Childhood Education director, Julie Long.  They will be available to answer any further questions about the two Kindergarten curriculums.

Personalized Christian Education and

Giving to Others Continues at Ames Christian School!  

Topics:

• Kindergarten Roundup
• Open House & Classroom Showcase - Thursday, March 4, 2010
• Christmas Blessings
• Admin Corner
• Volunteer Spotlight
• Board President Thank You
• Upcoming Events
• Golf Outing Friday, May 28, 2010

Click here for Friends of ACS Newsletter

Check out some of the great things going on at Ames Christian School!

Click here for Friends of ACS Quarterly Newsletter

I would like to congratulate everyone for their super sales efforts during the Butter Braid fundraiser.  What has made this fundraiser so successful was the very high percentage of students and parents participating.  I would like to announce the top 2 salespeople of Butter Braid Bread.  First prize will be awarded to Abbie Hill a 4-year old preschool student.  She will be receiving a gift card for Perfect Games and a gift card for Pizza Ranch for a fun time with her family.  Congratulations Abbie!  Second place will go to David Novencido a kindergarten student.  He will receive a $20 gift card to Borders.  Happy shopping David!  Thank you to everyone for your participation.

Get Involved With Box Tops!

Welcome to another great year at Ames Christian School!  Our Box Tops for Education goal is $700 to purchase any needed items (library books, teaching materials or equipment) for our school.  Last year we received just over $575 cash from Box Tops for Education.   In the past we have used the earnings to update our school’s library with new books, new magazine subscriptions, a study table, books on CD and new play equipment for the preschool playground.  Ames Christian School has participated in the Box Tops for Education program since 2002 and has since earned a total of about $3680.

One of the easiest ways you can make a difference is to sign up at boxtops4education to be a Box Tops Booster for Ames Christian School.  It’s easy, free and you’ll learn about new ways to help our school earn the extra cash it needs.

Exclusive online benefits:

                *Track our school’s Box Tops earnings.

                *Print money-saving coupons for your favorite Box Tops brands.

                *Enter monthly contests to win Bonus Box Tops for our school.

                *Make mealtime easier with family-pleasing recipes.

Plus, you can sign up for regular email updates on our school’s progress!

Box Tops offers three easy ways to earn cash for our school through everyday activities like buying groceries, shopping online and purchasing books –all at no additional cost to you.

Clip – Clip Box Tops from hundreds of participating products.  Box Tops are worth 10 cents each when our school redeems them from Box Tops for Education.

Shop – Shop your favorite online stores at the Box Tops Marketplace.  Up to 8% of each qualifying purchase is donated to our school.

Buy books through the Box Tops Book Club – Order quality titles from award-winning authors and illustrators throughout the school year.  Our school earns one Box Top for every dollar spent, up to $20,000.

Please pass this information on to family, friends and neighbors.  The more people we can involve in collecting for our school, the more money our school will earn.  There are Box Tops collection bins available in the office if you would like to place one at your church or place of employment.

E-mail Suzy Sernett if you have questions:  j_s_sernett@prairieinet.net

Everyone is invited to the Ames Christian School Fall Charity Auction.  Our theme this year is ‘Sweet Treat’-an evening to treat yourself to fun fellowship, delicious desserts and benevolent bidding.  The auction will be held at the Holiday Inn located at 2609 University Blvd in Ames on Saturday, November 8^th from 6:30-9:00 p.m.  Throughout the evening you will have the opportunity to participate in the silent auction, with the live auction beginning at 7:45 p.m.  There will be a large variety of items to bid on – something for everyone!  We will begin posting items and descriptions on this website in mid-October.  Remember, all items purchased are tax deductible and receipts will be available at the time of purchase.

In keeping with the 'Sweet Treat' theme, we will offer pre-paid Thanksgiving Pies to be ordered and ready for pick-up at the school prior to the holiday.  Orders can be placed the night of the auction or by calling the school office at 515-233-0772, or printing off the order form here.  The order deadline is November 15th.

Please don’t hesitate to contact a committee member if you have any questions or comments.  If you would like to donate an item for the auction or are interested in baking pies please let us know - we welcome the help!

Fall Charity Auction Committee Members

Suzy Sernett     j_s_sernett@prairieinet.net

Carol Helland  rshelland@aol.com

Brenda Schafbuch       brendaz07@hotmail.com

Catherine Strobel

Michele Gute

Fundraiser Timeframe:  August 19-September 3

This is the 4th time we have sold Butter Braid and as more people taste it and like it our sales will increase. We will be selling 2 product lines: Butter Braid bread and Classic Breaks cookie dough. Cedar Valley Fundraising is an Iowa company, out of West Bend. They offer Iowa products for fundraisers. We will be selling until September 3rd with the products then being available for delivery sometime during the week of September 15th. As tuition does not cover all of the school's expenses, fundraisers are crucial to the school. Each family is expected to participate in all fundraising activities throughout the year. The goal is for each family to sell a minimum of 15 items. Please consider asking family members, church/small group, friends, neighbors and coworkers. If you choose not to participate by selling, your "buy out" option is $75.00. Checks may be made payable to Ames Christian School. A grand prize will be awarded for the Top Seller schoolwide (preschool - 8th grade) and then we will award prizes for the second high seller within both preschool or K-8. A super opportunity for every family to contribute to this important fundraising event!