Seven LCMS schools were selected in March to receive the National Lutheran School Accreditation’s (NLSA) “exemplary status” recognition out of the 90 schools that it accredited or re-accredited in 2010. The schools are:
- Concordia University Early Childhood Education Center, River Forest, Ill., Director Doris Knuth;
- Faith Lutheran Academy and Preschool, Las Vegas, Principal Jerry Reinertson, Preschool Director Donita Murphy;
- Immanuel Lutheran Christian Academy, Broken Arrow, Okla., Principal Katherine McGrew;
- St. John Lutheran School, Ellisville, Mo., Principal Spencer Peregoy;
- Saint Paul Lutheran High School, Concordia, Mo., Executive Director Rev. Paul Mehl;
- Trinity Lutheran School, Waconia, Minn., Principal Randy Ash; and
- West Portal Lutheran School, San Francisco, Principal Gary Beyer.
According to the NLSA, schools receiving the exemplary accreditation must demonstrate a high degree of excellence by complying with at least 90 percent of the indicators of school success used to quantify compliance with national accreditation standards.
In addition, school administrators also must demonstrate that their school is:
- Christ-centered and service-driven;
- documenting an outstanding record of student academic preparation and success;
- perceived positively in its community;
- serving satisfied “stakeholders”; and
- demonstrating innovative leadership through specific “best practices.”
Exemplary status is achieved when a school is nominated by an NLSA visiting team or its district education official. It is awarded for the school year following the granting of a school’s new accreditation cycle. These awards are for the 2011-12 school year.
“The National Lutheran School Accreditation Commission has selected an outstanding group of schools again this year,” said LCMS School Ministry Associate Director Terry Schmidt. “They have so much to share with others and their best practices will be a blessing to many.”
Throughout the next school year, each exemplary school will prepare a print article and present a webinar that is open to participation for all Lutheran schools. Schmidt said that the sharing of these “best practices” provides opportunities and ideas that have the potential to improve all Lutheran schools.
NLSA, based in St. Louis, encourages and recognizes schools that provide quality Christian education and engage in continuous improvement. NLSA accredits 683 Lutheran schools that have chosen to submit to rigorous self-study and evaluation. There are 2,382 LCMS Lutheran preschools, elementary schools and high schools in the United States.
Editor’s note: The LCMS School Ministry insert in the March Reporter incorrectly listed St. Paul’s Lutheran School, Orange, Calif., as receiving exemplary status for the 2010-11 school year. The correct school is St. John’s Lutheran School, Orange, Calif.
Posted May 12, 2011
