Elementary School

A walk through St. Philip Neri elementary classrooms finds students reading classic stories, searching and presenting notable Catholic social justice heroes, designing a Halloween haunted house, learning key math skills and taking a walk through Nebraska's history.   Through exploration, discovery, and reflection, St. Philip Neri encourages academic excellence, personal development, and spiritual formation.

Parents partner with teachers to help students develop organizational skills and independence in school work, so that each child realizes their God-given potential. At every grade level, teachers surround students with kindness, grace, encouragment, and support in the core subjects of Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Religion. The English/Language Arts program promotes effective communication, both orally and in writing, to intentionally use language for a variety of purposes, and to critically read and apply texts. Mathematic instruction emphasizes problem solving, manipulatives, and modelling. Social Studies and Science instruction guides students in becoming curious and engaged learners. Daily instruction and hands-on activities provide the opportunity for students to ask questions, make mistakes, and gain confidence. 

Students are encouraged to process knowledge and understanding not only by facts and truths, but also by values and beliefs. Ancillary classes, Health, Art, Music, Computer, and Physical Education, with weekly visits to the library, enrich the whole student experience where critical thinking skills are taught and emphasized as students build a strong foundation for future learning.

One of the best parts about being a small school is our buddy system.  Our older students are always interacting to help and nuture the young children, or just cheer them up with a smile.  An older grade teams up with a younger grade to help  them along.   For example, 5th and 1st grades are teams, and one of their favorite times of year is celebrating a Thanksgiving feast together.  They make placemats and have a jolly time.  

1st-5th Grade

In grades one through five, students spend the majority of their day with their classroom teacher and a floating para. It is with their classroom teacher that they study Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Students receive daily Religion instruction from an Archdiocesan-certified Religion teacher.  Students attend Mass bi-weekly with their classmates. 

• One class per grade, average of 15 children per grade.
• Student:Teacher ratio: 10:1
• 1:1 Chromebook program
• Reconciliation and First Communion formation offered in 2nd grade
• Educational field trips annually