Field Trips

Field Trips are a special component of a child’s education. St. Mary’s School strives to provide our students with unique opportunities to learn outside of the classroom. All grades enjoy field trips around the state of Iowa. 

Our youngest Stars, the Preschoolers, enjoy walking to several businesses downtown Manchester. Early elementary grades K-2 enjoy plays and musicals at Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center in Cedar Falls, a visit to Phelps Youth Pavilion in Waterloo, and also participate in Farm Safety Day.

Our middle aged Stars, grades 3-4 visit the Mississippi River Museum in Dubuque as well as Osborne Nature Center, near Elkader. Our oldest Stars enjoy a full day trip to the Iowa Capitol, Science Center, Hall of Pride in Des Moines. They also spend time working on team building and problem solving skills at Four Mounds in Dubuque.

The sixth graders have a special last year at St. Mary’s with additional trips to New Melleray Abbey and St. Raphael's Cathedral, both in Dubuque, and the Field of Dreams in Dyersville. They also end the year with our traditional Coffins Grove class picnic and water fight. 

Not only do field trips take place in our traditional classrooms, but we also take trips in PE, Art, and Music. Each year, the third graders get to go to Dubuque to visit the Art Museum as well the Dubuque Symphony and Orchestra. Our fifth and sixth graders get to go to Lightning Lanes in Manchester to go bowling for PE. 

St. Mary's helped shape my husband's moral compass and strengthen his Catholic faith. We wanted our children to have the same experience. The longevity of the teaching staff speaks volumes and supports the belief that our children will be given the same opportunities. The small school and small class sizes are very appealing for more personalized care for our children. We are so glad to be a part of the St. Mary's family!


Kirk and Emily Burkle