Prospective Families

Quick Facts – What We Offer

We provide a firm foundation for the growth and development of your child, preparing them to walk with Christ along life’s path. Pre-k through 8th grade students enjoy ideal class sizes with a curriculum that exceeds Wisconsin state standards and includes world languages.

Our graduates routinely place in advanced classes upon entering high school and have continued onto elite colleges and universities, as well as the Army and Navy. Christ is always present in our hearts and teachings. Students learn early on the value of service and faith-based community in a supportive “home away from home” atmosphere. Don’t just take our word for it, hear it from an IHM family themselves. To learn more, please refer to our FAQ.

Enrollment

Click here to access our inquiry page. From there you can contact the school office, ask us your questions, or tell us you would like to set up a tour to visit our wonderful school! We are looking forward to meeting you!

We want you to be here, and we know that tuition can be a financial hurdle for families. If you feel that you are in need of tuition assistance, please visit: https://online.factsmgt.com/aid. (You can submit this request before you enroll if you need to find out what tuition assistance you qualify for before you enroll.)

2023-24 Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you accredited?
What kind of religious instruction is offered by IHM School?
How are IHM students involved in service?
What kind of Sacrament Preparation can I expect?
How often do the students attend mass?
What is your pre-k/early childhood program?
Do you offer extended care?
What kind of technologies will my student be using?
What does your daily schedule look like?
What “special classes” do you have at IHM?
What are your class sizes like?
Do you offer hot lunch?
Do you have a school counselor?
Do you have uniforms or a dress code?
Do I have to be a member of IHM parish in order to attend this school?
Do I have to be Catholic to attend this school?
What High School do IHM graduates attend?
What kind of extra-curricular activities are available?
Do you offer any services for students with disabilities?
What is the cost of attending Immaculate Heart of Mary School? Do you offer any tuition assistance?
Does the school provide transportation?
What types of fundraising activities do you do?
How can parents be involved at IHM school?

Are you accredited?
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.

What kind of religious instruction is offered by IHM School?
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. *

How are IHM students involved in service?
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.

What kind of Sacrament Preparation can I expect?
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.

How often do the students attend Mass?
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.

What is your pre-k/early childhood program?
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.

Do you offer extended care?
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

What types of technology will my student be using?
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.

What does your daily schedule look like?
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.

What “special classes” do you have at IHM?
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.

What are your class sizes like?
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.

Do you offer hot lunch?
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 – 5th.

Do you have a school counselor?
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.

Do you have uniforms or a dress code?
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.

Do I have to be a member of IHM parish in order to attend this school?
No. There are many students at Immaculate Heart of Mary School that attend other Catholic parishes. The tuition is the same for all students.

Do I have to be Catholic to attend this school?
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

What High School do IHM graduates attend?
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.

What kind of extra-curricular activities are available?
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
  • 7th and 8th grade parent-sponsored Washington DC learning experience
  • Prairie Fire Children’s Theater experience for grades 2-8
  • Girls on the Run
  • Chess Club
  • Student Council
  • Parent Led After school Activities: Cocoa & Canvas, Board Games, Cooking Classes, Open Gym, and Backyard Games to name a few.

Do you offer any services for students with disabilities?
Yes! Please contact the office for specifics pertaining to your family.

What is the cost of attending Immaculate Heart of Mary School? Do you offer any tuition assistance?
Due to the generous underwriting of the IHM parish tuition is reduced for Catholic Students. If you feel that you are in need of tuition assistance, please visit:  https://online.factsmgt.com/aid. (You can submit this request before you enroll if you need to find out what tuition assistance you qualify for before you enroll.)

Does the school provide transportation?
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.

What types of fundraising activities do you do?
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!

How can parents be involved at IHM School?
Parents are involved in many ways at IHM. Through the Home & School Association, School Advisory Commission, Athletics, volunteering in the classrooms, helping in the lunch room, serving on committees, and helping with special events. Every day our cafeteria is open to parents who would like to share lunch with their child.

* Our 4K classes are run in collaboration with the Monona Grove School District, and lectionary-based religion curriculum is offered before or after the instructional class.

The best way to experience us is to see for yourself. We encourage you to call (608) 222-8831 or email to schedule a tour!

Immaculate Heart of Mary Non-Discrimination Policy
IHM School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all of the rights programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and financial aid programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

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Want to learn more?

Thank you for your interest in IHM! If you want to learn more about our Church and School, or desire to become a part of our parish family, use this button below for questions, enrollment, or opportunities to get involved. We can’t wait to start a conversation!