Business : Central Lutheran School Enrollment Climbs with Offer of Free Tuition

Current enrollment figures for 2011-12 at Central Lutheran School (Newhall) show an increase of almost 7 percent, which school officials are attributing to the launch of its REACH program this Spring.

REACH stands for (tRusted Education Allowing Christ-centered enricHment). The CLS REACH program gives first-time families a waiver on their first year’s tuition for students in grades K-8.

Central Lutheran School’s Admissions Director Jennifer Hayden said the main goal of REACH is to share the love of Christ with more families. “We can’t do that if we have empty seats in the classrooms.”

Hayden was recently hired as Central’s Admissions Director to increase enrollment at the county’s only Christian day school, “REACH is an intentional Christian outreach into the community. We know there are families in the community who don’t know about the love of Jesus and who don’t know the exceptional educational opportunities that Central has to offer. First and foremost, we’ll teach your child about Jesus and we will do that in an environment that prides itself on academic excellence.”

According to Hayden, tuition at Central Lutheran School is lowest among all the schools in the Iowa District East. Even so, families are hesitant to pay for their child’s education when they can take advantage of public schooling. Hayden is confident that families who take advantage of the offer will stay beyond the year of free tuition, “We just have to get our foot in the door.”

Hayden concedes that some people think the offer sounds a little too good to be true, “People are asking, ‘What’s the catch?’ There is no catch! We’re offering 1 year of free tuition to any family who is new to Central Lutheran because we are confident thatany family seeking a state- and nationally- accredited top quality educational program will be pleased with their experience here and ultimately continue to enroll their student.”

Other Lutheran schools in Eastern Iowa have offered free tuition to first-time families and have seen impressive results in retaining those new families. “Central has a family-centered environment where parents are encouraged to share in their children’s education. This environment is what makes us so special. We call it the “Central experience”, said Hayden.

Historically, CLS enrollment figures have been stable, averaging about 150 students a year. In the last three years, the enrollment has hovered between 160 and 170 students. This growth trend was a driving force behind building a classroom addition and a high school-sized gymnasium/auditorium. In 2008, three classrooms, a media center, a computer lab and a band/music room were built. The new gymnasium was completed in the fall of 2010.

Hayden says Central students do quite well when they move on to Benton Community High School. “Former CLS students consistently make the Honor Roll each quarter and place in the top 10 of their graduating classes.” She attributes that to the challenging curriculum offered at CLS, which parents have come to expect. Small class size, individual attention and the family- and Christ-centered atmosphere are other reasons parents cite as reasons they send their children to Central.

Recently the school added exploratory classes to the upper grade curriculum, such as Beginning Spanish, Finances 101, Crocheting, Cooking, etc. The exploratories are designed to give students a taste of some areas they might wish to continue during high school. “We are trying to be responsive to what we think students will need to be successful in high school and as life-long learners.” She continued, “Community members and CLS families have volunteered their time to teach some of these classes. This is just another way we invite families to become involved in their children’s education.”

Central also offers are wide variety of extra-curricular activities, including soccer, volleyball, football (through Benton Community), cheerleading, basketball, track, baseball, softball, concert choirs, show choir, concert band, and student council. Competitive sports opportunities begin in 5th grade.

The REACH program is open to everyone. Interested families will be enrolled on a first-come, first-served wait list. While tuition will be waived, families who enroll under the REACH program will still be financially responsible for the registration fee and additional costs not covered under tuition (i.e. lunch, field trips, extra-curricular costs).

Central Lutheran School is located at 310 3rd St. W, Newhall. Please contact Jennifer Hayden at (319)-223-5271 or jhayden@centrallutheranschool.org for more information about REACH program or to schedule a tour of the school.