Beyond the Classroom

At Sion, going to school is about much more than just the curriculum taught in class. We strive to educate the whole child by being intentional about how and what we teach both in the classroom and beyond.

All students are an integral part of our Sion community and are expected to serve one another and strengthen connections between grades. Older students help younger students as “Reading Buddies,” carpool walkers, and lunch assistants. We also help students to recognize themselves as important global citizens. We encourage service off-campus through school-led and student-driven service opportunities, such as volunteering at Harvesters or NourishKC. Starting in middle school, students are expected to complete 10 hours of service every year. Additionally, we have the following programs and activities to enrich the Sion experience.

 

After School Program

Notre Dame de Sion Grade School offers a wide array of after-school programming which has been specially designed to provide students with opportunities to expand knowledge and build life skills through hands-on learning adventures. Students may sign-up for our Extended Day Program (EDP) and/or our Sion Academies - details are listed below for each option. For questions on what might be the best fit for your child, please contact Emily Jenkins, Director of Auxiliary Programs, at ejenkins@ndsion.edu or by calling (816) 683-8369.

Sion Academies
The Sion Academies are available for all grade school students (Montessori through 8th grade) depending on class subject. Academy offerings can change on a quarterly basis with some past favorites including karate, Chinese, robotics, chess, Russian, and more. Sion Academies run during the 4:00-5:00 pm hour, but students are more than welcome to stay before/after as part of our Extended Day Program for an additional charge. Academy registration will be available during the first two weeks leading up to each quarter.
Extended Day Program (EDP)
Extended Day Program (EDP) is available for students from 3:30-5:30 pm and is designed for families that need a later pickup time from school. There are options available for Monday-Friday, 3 days a week (custom selected by you), or daily drop-in as needed. We are also offering a punch card option for families that want to pre-pay for a set number of monthly visits to use at a discounted rate. Please note that drop-in EDP must be registered by noon the day of to ensure availability. Students will engage in regular schedule rotations of study hall, social time, snack, and outdoor play.

 

 

Extracurricular & Scholastic Activities

Going to school is much more than just academic pursuits in class. Notre Dame de Sion School strives to educate the whole child, by looking beyond the classroom walls. Sion offers several opportunities that allow students to develop their talents and hone their leadership skills, that also provide great ways to become involved in Sion and make friends.

Enrichment Classes & Specials
Enrichment classes or “specials” (sometimes referred to as FLAMPS at Sion Grade School) round out the student experience in all grades. Discover more here.
Athletics

The Notre Dame de Sion School Athletic Program offers recreational athletic teams for students in third through eighth grade. Sion is a proud member of the Parochial League of Kansas City (PLKC) and competes against other Catholic schools in Kansas City, Missouri. Coached by parent volunteers, the goal of these grade-level, school sanctioned teams is to focus on teamwork, self-discipline, courage, and perseverance in a supportive and spiritually positive environment.

Learn More

Spelling Bee
Each December, all grades K-8th compete by spelling words appropriate to their grade level to identify two winners per grade that advance to our “all-school spelling bee.” The final winner from the all-school competition competes in the city-wide spelling bee against winners from other schools in the metro area.
Battle of the Books
Students in grades 4th–6th are encouraged to participate in Sion’s annual reading “battle.” Students form teams and divide up the year’s reading list of 16-20 books. Participants will then have a chance to demonstrate their comprehension of the books through a friendly competition with their fellow students.
Sion Science Club
This student-centered club is a space where curiosity drives discovery. The club is open to students in grades 6th-8th with an interest in science, and provides opportunities to engage in fun experiments, creative problem-solving challenges and real-world STEM applications through collaborative projects, guest speakers, field experiences and competitions.

Special Community Events

There are a variety of events throughout the year that serve to build community relationships among our families.

The Philanthropy & Engagement team hosts two annual fundraising events each year that bring parents, alumni, donors and friends together for fun and camaraderie to support Sion! The Sion Scramble Golf Tournament and the Gala Auction.

The following events bring parents, grandparents and students together onsite for cherished events that our community looks forward to each year!

  • Fall Festival
  • Grandfriend's Day
  • Book Fair
  • Musical Performance
  • Holiday Concerts
  • Book Character Parade
  • Halloween Trunk or Treat
  • STEM Night
  • KISS Dance (Kids Invite Someone Special)
  • Brookside St. Paddy’s Warm Up Parade
  • Grands in the Garden