IHM is fully Accredited by the Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Association. We go through a very intensive self-study every 7 years, and develop a continual School Improvement Plan that is updated every year in order to maintain that accreditation.

Immaculate Heart of Mary defines itself as a Catholic school, first and foremost. Our students in Early Childhood and grades K-8 have religion class daily, and attend Mass once a week. Grades 3-8 plan and participate in the presentation in those weekly Masses. Our Parish priest helps teach 8th grade as available. The whole school also practices Liturgical singing with the music teacher once a month, and participates in prayer services weekly during Advent and Lent. The Sisters of the Morning Star lead rotating groups of students in weekly Eucharistic Adoration. The Catholic faith and values affect every class and interaction at IHM School, as we see Jesus in each child. *

Immaculate Heart of Mary School applies Catholic social teaching as the basis of our service learning. Students participate in activities throughout the year involving dignity of the poor, respect for human life, respect for the environment, and knowledge of social justice. Some of these activities in the past have included clothing and food drives, “Cans for Critters,” raking leaves for the elderly, working in the food pantry, “Pennies for Peace,” and many more.

Immaculate Heart of Mary School prepares students for the sacraments of 1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion in 2nd grade – although if a child needs to be prepared for these sacraments at a later time in their life, that is possible in cooperation with our Religious Education program through the parish. You can email the parish here for more information.

The Early Childhood Program and Kindergarten through 8th grades at IHM School attend Mass weekly, usually on Thursday mornings. The weekly Masses are planned by an individual class each week. The students participate in the Mass by reading the readings and petitions, taking up the gifts, greeting in church, and serving. Other devotions are practiced throughout the year such as the Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, and Stations of the Cross.

The Early Childhood Program (ECE) serves children from age 3 to 5. IHM focuses on creating a warm and accepting environment which helps each child understand and appreciate himself/herself as a unique person with both personal needs and social responsibilities. Our goal is to provide a creative learning environment which reflects the inquisitive and social nature of the child at this age. Please refer to the ECE Handbook for more information.

Extended day care is available for all of our ECE through 8th grade students from 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.  Please refer to the Extended Day Programs Handbook for more information.

• Before school care: ECE– 8th grade
• Monona Grove 4K Wrap Around Care
  • AM: 7:00 – 11:50
  • PM: 10:40 – 3:05
• After school care: ECE – 4th grade
• Homework Club: 5th – 8th

We are excited to have an interactive white board in every class room! There are also computers available in every classroom for student use. All students from grade Kindergarten- 8 attend weekly computer classes. Students in 2nd grade- 8th grade use a Chrome Book for assignments and research while at school.

Our day begins at 8:10 AM, and students are released at 3:05 PM.  Kindergarten through 5th grade students have three recesses and a snack each day, and 6th through 8th grades have a morning snack break and one recess at lunch time. Library, Physical Education, Music, Computer, and Foreign Language classes are held at various times throughout the week, while Reading, Math, Social Studies, and Science occur daily/at more regularly scheduled times.

Music, Library, Art, and Physical Education classes are all included in our curriculum for each grade. Computer classes are also part of the curriculum – for all but the 4K and Preschool classes. We are a World Language School. Three languages are taught at IHM School: Spanish is introduced in Grades K-2, French is introduced in Grades 3 through 5, and German is taught in grades 6, 7 and 8. All grades also participate in several educational field trips throughout the school year.

Although we have many different size classes, there are class limits for each level. The limits are:

• Maximum 18 students in each 4K class.
• Maximum 25 students in Kindergarten through 8th grade

Class size depends on the needs of each class of students and is determined by administration.

Delicious, nutritious food is prepared on-site daily. Monthly menus are sent home in the Eagle Express. There is also a morning milk snack program for grades 4K – 5^th.

Immaculate Heart of Mary School has a school counselor on staff. He is in the school two days a week, and teaches lessons to classrooms on bullying, conflict resolution, and other topics. He also counsels individual students and is available for parent consultations as well.

Yes. We strive to provide an atmosphere that promotes a positive and caring learning environment. We want our students to feel mentally and physically comfortable while attending school. This dress code is in place to establish a safe environment, both while at school and when representing our school in public. It is also in place to provide a positive sense of community and to encourage students to have a sense of pride in how they look and behave. Learn more on our uniform policy.

No. There are many students at Immaculate Heart of Mary School that attend other Catholic parishes. The tuition is the same for all students.

No. Immaculate Heart of Mary School has students from many different faith traditions.  Because we serve primarily Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish the following admission protocol will be in effect once a classroom size reaches 25. On occasion, we may limit enrollment to less than 25 to meet the needs of a particular classroom.

If classrooms are filled and a waiting list is required, the following priorities are used to enroll new students into the school.

1. Children with sibling at IHM School (K-8)
2. Registered parishioner of IHM with child in the preschool
3. Registered parishioner of IHM (order of acceptance based on length of membership)
4. Registered member of another local Catholic Parish with a child in IHM preschool
5. Registered member of another local Catholic Parish
6. Non-Catholic with child in preschool
7. Non-Catholic

Our graduates attend many different high schools, including St. Ambrose Academy and Edgewood, LaFollette, Monona Grove, East, West, Memorial, and McFarland High Schools. IHM prepares our students very well for any high school, preparing them to succeed academically, socially, and to make good life decisions.

Immaculate Heart of Mary School has a lot of fun extra-curricular activities available, including:

• Instrumental Band (Grades 4-8) and Honors Band
• Children’s Choir
• Interscholastic Sports (Grades 5-8) – volleyball (boys & girls) , basketball (boys & girls), softball (girls) and football (boys).
• Homework Club available for Grades 5-8 after school
• 8th grade parent-sponsored Washington DC learning experience
• Storybook Theatre for grades 2-8
• Kids on the Run
• Chess Club
• Student Council

Yes! Please contact the office for specifics pertaining to your family.

Due to the generous underwriting of our pastorate, tuition is reduced for Catholic students. We want you to be here and we know that tuition can be a financial hurdle for families. If you feel tuition assistance is needed, please let us know and we can discuss options.

Monona and Cottage Grove residents can be transported to and from home by bus if they live within the allotted boundaries. Families living in the Monona Grove School District wishing to obtain more information regarding school bus routes should please contact the Monona Grove School District. Students living outside of the Monona Grove School district should contact their school district of residence, as some (Madison and McFarland, for example) provide transportation reimbursements under certain conditions.

IHM is proud to be a “no-sell” school. We raise funds through community-building activities, instead; such as the Fabulous Friday Fish Fry. Families are required to participate in supporting these functions, by working shifts. Our fundraising efforts have been extremely successful in the past, allowing us to purchase interactive white boards, renovate our gymnasium, and complete many other projects!

Parents can be involved in many ways at IHM. You can be a part of the parent-led Education Commisson (EdCo), athletics, volunteer in the classroom, help in the lunch room, and help with special events. Every day our cafeteria is open to parents who would like to share lunch with their child.

The best way to experience us is to see for yourself. We encourage you to complete this form to get started!