Lutheran Education

Overview

More than 9,500 young people attend one of 41 Lutheran elementary, middle, or high schools in the St. Louis region. Lutheran schools are driven by a commitment to the Gospel and focused on a mission of bringing hope and healing to students and their families. Most schools meet or exceed state and national academic standards at all grade levels; all help to develop a minimum of 30 developmental assets in children. 

From its inception, Lutheran churches and schools have gone hand-in-hand, with Lutheran schools serving as one of the best tools congregations have to tell the story of Jesus Christ to the next generation. While a majority of students attend a Lutheran church, Lutheran schools are also for the community – nearly 20 percent of students nationally are identified as “unchurched”. 

In the past two decades, Lutheran schools have experienced shifting enrollments and changes in their business model. As recently as ten years ago, church members paid little or no tuition; today the average local elementary tuition is $5,000 for non-church members. These changes have led some schools, particularly those in the urban core, to seek outside financial assistance; some have had close their doors. 

Lutheran Foundation of St. Louis has directed a significant portion of our funding over the past 22 years to ensuring children of our community have an opportunity to attend a Lutheran school of their choice. In the recently approved 2009 – 2013 strategic funding plan, the Board again affirmed its commitment to supporting quality Lutheran schools in our community. 

The issues confronting Lutheran and other parochial schools are complex. We are continuing to research the changing dynamics of parochial, private, public, and charter education in the St. Louis region and expect to complete this thoughtful exploration in early 2009. Goals, objectives, funding interests, and anticipated outcomes will be announced shortly thereafter. Once finalized, a special announcement will be made to area Lutheran congregations and schools.

Until then, Lutheran schools are welcome to contact Ann L. Vazquez, President/CEO to discuss your funding needs.