Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Questions About Private Schools in Lincoln?

It’s important to us that you get your questions answered as quickly as possible, whether you are a new family considering joining the LSL district or an existing family who experiences it every day.

Our admissions counselors and staff are available at any time for questions, but we’ve also listed some of the most common questions below for your convenience.

Do I have to be Lutheran to enroll in the Lutheran Schools of Lincoln district?

No. In fact, there are more non-Lutheran families at Messiah School than there are Lutheran. If you are looking for an environment to welcome your family, uphold your values, build a heart for service, nurture your child’s faith, and help you feel successful as a parent; Messiah is a great place to start. We offer an excellent Christ-centered education option for our community.

Are there advantages to being Lutheran if you are enrolled in the Lutheran Schools of Lincoln district?

Yes, tuition discounts are available at some schools for families who belong to a partner church in the Lutheran Schools of Lincoln district. There are also discounts for families who are members of the Lincoln Lutheran School Association (LLSA).

What do Lutherans believe?

We believe in the Triune God – the three persons of the Trinity are coequal and coeternal, one God: the Father, creator of all that exists; Jesus Christ, the Son, who became human to suffer and die for the sins of all human beings and to rise to life again in the ultimate victory over death and Satan; and the Holy Spirit, who creates faith through God’s Word and Sacraments.

We believe that our Salvation comes from God “by divine grace alone, through faith alone, on account of Christ alone,” not by anything that we can do ourselves.

We believe that Jesus is the focus of the entire Bible and that faith in him alone is the way to eternal salvation.

How much does enrollment at Lutheran Schools of Lincoln cost?

Schools in the Lutheran Schools of Lincoln district operate on funding from tuition, donor support, mission support, and church support. The cost of each school varies, so to get a true sense of the cost, financial aid availability, and out-of-pocket expense for your family, we recommend you contact the school directly. Each school also

It is our hope that every family who desires a Christ-centered, academically strong education experience for their child does not find tuition to be a barrier to their choice. Financial aid and scholarships are available to all families.

Is there room for my child?

Some of our classrooms reach capacity, so we encourage families to commit as soon as possible to avoid having to be placed on a waiting list.

Do you have a gifted program?

Gifted programs and the rigor of classes vary across schools. While not all schools have a designated gifted program, each school does have many children in each classroom who enjoy individualized challenges presented by their teachers.

LPS staff also supports the Lutheran Schools of Lincoln district for student services, including resources for gifted behavior and PT and OT.

Can you serve my child who has a learning disability?

All LSL schools partner with Lincoln Public School specialists to diagnose learning disabilities. Children who live in the LPS attendance boundaries and are diagnosed with a learning disability may receive services during their school day from LPS specialists who visit the buildings.

Students with more extreme disabilities, especially those requiring assistance throughout their day, may not be best served at LSL schools as we cannot host specialists within our classrooms.

Do you use high-stakes testing?

It is becoming too common in American public education systems to lean on high-stakes testing as the primary determinant for student success and even teacher success. The Lutheran Schools of Lincoln district does use assessment tests but for very different reasons. We want to know what students know so that we can help them grow,  especially in areas of relative weakness.

We use Fall assessments to help us get to know the individual strengths and weaknesses of the children in our classrooms. We want to know if the curriculum we have designed for our schools is working that students are achieving at or above the academic standards for their grade level.

We use Spring assessments to measure how well our curriculum planning is working and to ensure the growth we expect to see from students is actually happening.

All schools in the Lutheran Schools of Lincoln district also utilize MAP testing.

Do you follow Common Core curriculum?

Common Core has become a “bad word” in some circles, and for good reason, but maybe not the reason most think. Any set of standards taken in isolation can become a problem if it becomes prescriptive for all students. Standards are meant to provide a framework from which to build. We know the Common Core Standards, the Nebraska State Standards, the Lutheran School Standards, and many other subject-specific standard sets. These standards collections all help teachers in the Lutheran Schools of Lincoln district design curriculum and instruction for students based on several sets of standards, and then we exceed those standards.

How do teachers and students use technology?

Lincoln Lutheran, our sister school who serves 6th-12th graders, was the first school in Lincoln to implement a 1:1 technology program for its students. Messiah Elementary was the second. All students have full access to technology tools in their classrooms whenever they need it, and all teachers have laptops, iPads, and projectors or TVs for interactive instruction.

Kindergarten and 1st Grade teachers have classroom sets of iPads for their students to use when it fits into their learning design, and 2nd-5th Graders each have their own Chromebook to use throughout their day.

A variety of technology tools are available for your child and for you to use as partners in student learning and to maintain a strong communication connection between home and school.

What credentials do your teachers have?

Most of the teaching staff holds a Master’s Degree and all teachers are certified by the State of Nebraska. In addition to academic credentials, Messiah’s teachers have received formal training in helping your child grow in their Christian faith.

The Nebraska Department of Education approves all schools in the Lutheran Schools of Lincoln district under Rule 10 and is fully accredited by National Lutheran School Accreditation.

Do you welcome volunteers?

Absolutely! While we do not require parents to volunteer hours, we depend on them for many of the activities we offer. It is important to us that families know one another and grow close to each other and to their Savior.

Volunteering is a great opportunity to get to know other parents. Parents complete a survey each Fall so that our volunteer coordinator knows who to contact when specific needs arise during the school year.

Do you require student uniforms?

No. We have a simple, child–friendly dress code. We do not believe that elementary age children require a uniform to succeed in school. Our desire is for children to maintain their unique character. We honor their unique learning styles and challenge them to grow.

Where do your elementary students go for Middle and High School?

After fifth grade, about 80% of Messiah’s students attend Lincoln Lutheran. The other children typically attend their neighborhood middle school.

Do you have sports teams?

The Nebraska Department of Education does not allow interscholastic athletic competition before 7th Grade. Elementary children often compete on the same team within local youth leagues, including the YMCA, and enjoy having one of the parents from their classroom as a coach. If your child is interested in joining a sports team, be sure sure to let your teacher know so that they can help connect with you with another parent from your classroom.

We do offer sports and athletics for junior high and high school students at Lincoln Lutheran.

More About Our Schools

Rooted in faith and academic excellence, the Lutheran Schools of Lincoln provide a Christ-centered education for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. With four elementary schools and one middle/high school, we offer a strong foundation in both knowledge and faith, along with early childhood care, including infant care and preschool.

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