Academic Teams

Forensics

Students in grades 5-8 are encouraged to participate in this public speaking  program. Students may choose from five different categories: storytelling, humorous reading, serious prose, serious poetry, or a persuasive or explanatory speech. The Good Shepherd Forensics Team competes in two public speaking competitions in the fall. The first competition is an individual one at St. Croix Lutheran Academy at the end of October, and the second one is a team competition that takes place at West Lutheran High School in mid-November.

The students start practicing one or two afternoons a week after school at the beginning of October.  The focus point is becoming more comfortable with their chosen piece. One week prior to the competitions, the students perform for various classrooms in our school to practice in front of a group. It is a great opportunity for students to gain experience with public speaking.

Geography & Spelling Bee, Meet Math

Throughout the year, students are given the opportunity to challenge themselves with competitions in geography, spelling, and math.  In January, students in grades 5-8 can compete for a place in our annual Geography Bee. This is held in the Worship Center near the end of a school day. The winner has the opportunity to participate in a State, and possibly National, competition.

We also have students take an online spelling test each February, with the top students from each class being chosen to compete in our Panther Spelling Bee. This is also held in church during the school day as we wind our way down to our top three contestants and ultimate spelling champion. Students who participate in the school spelling bee are also given the opportunity to take part in the annual Twin Cities spelling bee held at St. Croix Lutheran Academy each March.

Our school also participates in a program called Meet Math, which is run through Martin Luther College. During the course of the year all students in grades 5-8 take four written tests as they compete against other Lutheran schools like ours throughout the country. Top math students in seventh and eighth grade can also participate in the Math Bowl held each year at St. Croix Lutheran Academy.