Why Now?
We’re often asked, “why now” when we share our vision for launching a Lutheran High School in eastern Iowa. In addition to the urging God placed on our hearts, there are a few tangible reasons influencing the timing of this mission.
Student-first Education Savings Accounts are fueling school choice opportunities
In early 2023, Governor Reynolds signed a bill to launch Student First Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). This bill provides eligible families with state funds to cover tuition, fees, and other qualified education expenses at an accredited nonpublic school of their choice. For the upcoming school year, this means education support for each eligible K-12 student totaling $8,148.
Thanks to this program, many more families now have the opportunity to choose the best education for their child, and WE now have the opportunity to serve many more families with a rich Christian education.
The structure and landscape of education are shifting
After months of researching education models and connecting with a variety of school administrators, we have discovered that there is a lot of change happening in education. With the introduction of cell phones and artificial intelligence, information is more readily available than ever before. There is no longer a need to bring information to the students; rather, the priority has become empowering students with wisdom and discernment to properly wield it.
Additionally, COVID has exposed how much education depends on relationships, community, purpose, and real-world experience. We learned that students do not simply grow through absorption of academic content; they thrive when provided intentional educational experiences that develop the whole person. In the aftermath of these cultural shifts, it is the perfect time to launch a Christ-centered environment that nurtures purpose, discernment, relationships, and leadership skills.
We have the strategic leadership
About the same time ESAs became available, a uniquely talented team of leaders was also taking shape at a community forum in Atkins. This team soon became what is now our board of directors and comprises a diverse group of educators, church leaders, political leaders, and parents who all share a passion for rich and rigorous Christian education. And by the grace of God, a well-respected administrator at a local Lutheran elementary school had just retired, and he accepted the role of chairman of our board. Mark Mueller has a wealth of experience in administration, teaching, and athletics, but most of all — he has a fierce spirit of dedication, and he won’t take no for an answer :).
Why now? Or why wait?
Ultimately, we believe in God’s perfect timing, but is there ever really a wrong time to bring Christ into the classroom? If we embrace a spirit of faith, God will move mountains. Much like the concept of gratitude, if we aren’t consciously looking for ways God is at work in our lives, we might miss them. But if we stop to acknowledge all the ways he is already present, it is obvious that the door is open – we just need to walk through it. What an incredible opportunity!
We give thanks to God for ESAs, the understanding of cultural impacts on student needs, the availability of devout leaders standing at the helm, and the compassion of our growing list of volunteers and donors fueling this mission. With our eyes set forward and faith held firmly, we continue to trust God’s guidance to lead us to opening day – August 2027.
