St. Paul Lutheran School
and Preschool

PHILOSOPHY

PREFACE
     St. Paul Lutheran School is first and foremost a Missouri Synod Lutheran School dedicated to teaching Christian principles while providing a well-rounded academic foundation for continuous learning. In cooperation with parents, the school strives to instill in students strong moral and social values for living in a rapidly changing world.

     The faculty and staff of St. Paul Lutheran School endeavor to foster the intellectual, physical, spiritual and social development of each child. In doing so, St. Paul provides elements necessary to impart knowledge, to develop positive self-awareness and to work toward the realization of each child's potential. The faculty strives to assist, through example and guidance, the formation of productive citizens in an academic and Christian environment.

PHILOSOPHY OF ST. PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL

     All who have been brought to faith in Jesus Christ are commissioned by Him to preserve and extend the Kingdom of God. This becomes a corporate responsibility when Christians gather as a congregation. This is done by proclaiming to all the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, this proclamation changes hearts and lives and brings victory and comfort to individuals who are declared totally and unconditionally righteous for Christ's sake.

• CHRISTIAN EDUCATION -- applying the Scriptures as the inerrant Word of God to all aspects of life and learning -- is a vital component of every Lutheran congregation's ministry. As a church body, we believe that "the most effective education agencies available to the church for equipping children and youth for ministry are the full-time Lutheran elementary (including preschool) and secondary schools" (1983 LCMS Convention Proceedings, Res. 2-17). As an important ministry of St. Paul
  Lutheran Church, St. Paul Lutheran School helps fulfill six important congregational functions: EDUCATION, WORSHIP, EVANGELISM, FELLOWSHIP, SERVICE, AND FAMILY MINISTRY.

• EDUCATION occurs daily in all subjects to prepare children to serve God and people throughout their lives. Children's faith in Christ is nurtured by the Holy Spirit through God's Word. As un-churched children also receive the teaching of God's Word, the Holy Spirit can work faith in their hearts as well. Lutheran Christian doctrine is carefully taught so those who come to faith may choose to become members of a congregation of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod at an appropriate time.
  
       Children are taught the demands of God's Law and are comforted by the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. They receive encouragement and instruction to live in service to Christ and others. To prepare for this service they are taught to develop and use their abilities in further schooling and adult life. The children are taught by teachers who are theologically and academically prepared to teach from the Christian point of view as established by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Part-time and substitute Christian teachers assist the full-time teachers as needed. Using their God-given abilities, students and teachers strive for excellence as they use effective, up-to-date learning and teaching materials. Students are prepared to become responsible stewards of their talents in a joy-filled Christian life.

• WORSHIP in a Lutheran school is not confined to the daily classroom devotion or to a whole-school worship experience; it occurs throughout the day. Children are helped to grow in their prayer lives, learning to pray privately and corporately whenever needs or opportunities arise.
  
       Teachers provide a Christian model by leading worship in school, by faithfully attending congregation worship, and participating in other aspects of congregational worship life. Students lead and participate in worship in their classrooms. They praise God through hymns, prayers, and other liturgical forms.

• EVANGELISM is always present for and through the children who attend the school. Children learn to witness naturally and effectively as they observe their teachers' witness. Through their Christian lives, students bear testimony to each other and to their community. Children of unchurched families hear the good news of Jesus' love and share it with their families and friends.

• FELLOWSHIP is enjoyed by all members of the school community. Students and staff accept one another as fellow members of the body of Christ. They play together, support and encourage one another, and witness to one another. Each person's uniqueness is recognized, and individuals are helped to achieve their full potential. Each knows that he or she is a valued, accepted, and respected part of the school community.
  
       The school community and its members are valued as an important part of the larger congregational community and as a part of the body of Christ. The Law and the Gospel provide a framework in which each person knows he or she is a redeemed sinner and a beloved child of God. Teachers and students work together to maintain a classroom atmosphere of love and joy.

• SERVICE becomes a natural part of school life. Children are led to help others, not only in the school, but also in the community and in the world. Teachers encourage Christ-like compassion and love for all people. As opportunity permits, teachers and students volunteer to serve others together and separately.

• FAMILY MINISTRY is an integral part of school life. Lutheran schools serve families in various ways and help parents carry out their parental responsibilities in Christian education. We encourage parents to accept these responsibilities by cooperating with teachers and pastors in promoting educational and spiritual growth, by encouraging their children in good study habits, by using Christian discipline when necessary, by faithfully attending and bringing their children to worship services and by setting examples as Christian parents in their daily lives.
  
       St. Paul Lutheran School exists to share Christ with children and families. Through Education, Worship, Evangelism, Fellowship, Service and Family Ministry the children and families are taught to live in service to Christ and to others.

OBJECTIVES OF ST. PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL
     St. Paul Lutheran School has established a Christian Day School to train children "in the way they should go" (Proverbs 22:6). Our school is a vital branch of St. Paul Lutheran Church, and therefore, works in close cooperation with the goals of the church.

• The objectives of St. Paul Lutheran School are:
  
  1. To give thorough daily instruction in the precious Word of God, thus bringing children closer to Jesus, their Savior and King.
  
  2. To teach children the academic subjects from a Christian point of view.
  
  3. To train honest and useful citizens of our country.
  
  4. To promote Christian conduct in an environment of Christian teachers and Christian classmates.
  
  5. To instill in children a love for and desire to work in God's kingdom.
  
  6. To foster regular church and Sunday school attendance, Bible study, and personal and family devotions.
  
  7. To encourage graduates to continue growth in Christian knowledge and outlook by attending St. Paul Lutheran's youth group and Bible classes.
  
  8. To encourage boys and girls to prepare for becoming pastors and teachers in our churches and schools (Isaiah 55:11).

St. Paul Lutheran Church and School is a member of
The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod

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