​308-384-2441

1200 RUBY AVENUE, GRAND ISLAND, NE 68803

The Application for Admission for 2026-2027 can be accessed by clicking the GICC APPLICATION button. Please note that space is limited in grades K-5 for the 2026-2027 school year.

ELEMENTARY ACADEMICS

Our Elementary School lays the foundation for future success by developing a solid academic skill set including basic competencies and study abilities.

Central Catholic's Administration has selected Wit & Wisdom + Geodes for Reading Comprehension, Eureka Squared for Mathematics, and RCL Benzinger's Blest Are We for Religion. Mystery Science, as well as well as both Nebraska History and Scholastic are utilized. The Guidance curriculum is Friendzy. These tools help GICC provide the most rigorous faith-based elementary school curriculum possible.

The K-5th grade curriculum also includes 50 minutes of specials per day split among PE, Music, Media, and Guidance.

Elementary School Uniforms

​Students in grades K-5th will show their school pride by mirroring the dress code of the 6th-12th graders!  Uniform tops, including short-sleeve polos, long-sleeve polos, crewnecks and jackets, are White, Navy Blue, Grey, and Royal Blue. Bottoms are Khaki and Navy Blue (with the Lands End plaid skorts and jumpers available for girls). 

Click HERE for the Uniform Policy and Ordering Links

CRUSADER CARE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

Grand Island Central Catholic offers an After-School Program (Crusader Care) for Pre-K through 5th Grade students. 

​Click HERE for GICC's Crusader Care information.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GICC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

WHAT ARE SCHOOL HOURS?

The Elementary School is in session 8:05am - 3:25pm.
Elementary students are allowed to enter the building at 7:35am.

WHAT TIME CAN I DROP OFF & PICKUP MY STUDENT(S)?

• Students can arrive at 7:35am daily since we sell breakfast items before school most days.
• Crusader Care is available for families to purchase until 5:20pm on school days.
  
• Elementary students riding home with a MS/HS Crusader will be escorted to the MS/HS hallway following the Elementary dismissal. 
• Students being picked-up early (or dropped-off late) during the school day must be checked-out in the Elementary Office.
  

WILL THERE BE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SCHOOL?

GICC does not offer transportation. However, many Middle School families have successfully lined up private carpools in the past. We encourage our Elementary families to do the same!

HOW LARGE WILL CLASSES BE?

GICC can have 2 classrooms per grade level, and classroom sizes vary. Lower Elementary School classrooms are capped at smaller numbers than upper Elementary classrooms. We intend to keep all classrooms, regardless of age, below 24, and capped at 16 in each of the Kindergarten classrooms.

WILL STUDENTS HAVE PE, MUSIC, ART, ETC?

Yes! Elementary students have PE, Art, Music, Guidance, and Library as part of their school days.

WILL STUDENTS CELEBRATE CATHOLIC MASS?

​Absolutely!  Mass is celebrated every Thursday at 10:00am for grades K-5!

DOES GICC HAVE AN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM?

Yes, we have Crusader Care that runs 3:25-5:15pm each full school day. K-5th grade Crusaders have the opportunity to work on homework, play games, eat a snack, and build friendships with their peers and others in our Crusader Family. The cost is $10.00 per hour, with discounts being given for additional students from the same family. Crusader Care registration will be in August.

MEET PRINCIPAL NORDHUES

“We are excited to welcome Mrs. Sarah Nordhues as the first leader of GICC Elementary,” Dr. Jordan Engle, GICC Middle School / High School Principal said. “Sarah brings a wealth of knowledge and experience with her, and I look forward to watching our elementary school thrive under her guidance.”

Nordhues worked 10 years with Riverside Elementary School in Spalding, NE, where she began her principalship in 2014. Prior to that, Nordhues was on the teaching staffs at Palmer Public Schools, and both Florence Elementary and Belle Ryan Elementary in Omaha, since 2006.

After earning her Bachelor of Science in Education K-8 with an endorsement in Intermediate grades 4-8, Nordhues pursued a Masters in Education Administration and Supervision K-8 from the University of Nebraska Omaha, followed by her 7-12 certification from the University of Nebraska Kearney (UNK) in 2014. She is currently working toward her specialist certificate from UNK, as well. 

“Grand Island Central Catholic Elementary is an exciting new offering for the area,” Nordhues commented. “I am intrigued by the opportunity and challenges of getting to reconstruct the success of the 6-12 grade levels by expanding the faith-based education to the elementary.”

SARAH NORDHUES