Acade
mic Competitions
Our middle school students participate in Quiz Bowl, annual math competitions and our 7-8 graders participate in Iowa online competitions.
LIFE Team
Our Living Instruments of Faith (LiFe) Team is a group of students in grades 6, 7 & 8 who put their faith into action
by working together on community service projects in and outside of the Sioux City area. The team has evolved from a type of student council to a service team.
The LiFe Team also coordinates and leads events for
their student body including retreats, prayer services, and school spirit/team building activities. LiFe Team involves students from Mater Dei, Holy Cross and Sacred Heart.
Faith through Emmaus
Emmaus, pronounced e-MAY-us is a Religion class that meets once a week to allow students a chance to grow in their faith through “hands-on” faith activities. Emmaus sponsors two annual mission trips for our 8th Graders: the Urban Immersion Service Retreat, which has taken students and their chaperons to work in homeless shelters in the Twin Cities and to learn more about poverty and homelessness; and on the Operation SKIP (Sisters and Kids In Partnership) Trip to Dubuque, Iowa to volunteer with the religious communities there.
The name Emmaus is inspired by a story in St Luke’s Gospel which describes how shortly after Jesus’ death two of his followers were at Emmaus, near Jerusalem, when they saw the resurrected Jesus.
Middle School Fine Arts
Vocal: Music classes are offered twice a week. All middle school students are involved in vocal music and perform at Christmas and spring concerts. Show choir: Genesis Band: Students in grades 5-8 are invited to join the band under our talented instructors.
Band students perform at the Christmas concert, spring concert and march in the Heelan High Homecoming parade. Private lessons are also available.
Strings: Students are invited to join the elective Strings program, which is offered in after-school lessons. Students showcase their skills in violin, viola, and cello concerts twice a year.
Art:
Art class is offered once a week.
Sports
See separate website section