Recently, the National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA) Commission met to accredit schools and conduct the business of the organization. The 2019 commission accredited 131 schools at its annual meeting in July. Several of the schools were awarded special recognition as Schools of Distinction.
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines distinction as “an accomplishment that sets one apart.” This year, six schools distinguished themselves through the evidence prepared by the school substantiating assigned accreditation ratings and the practices observed by the Validation Team during the school’s site visit. The schools are rated in the top five percent of overall school accreditation ratings awarded by Validation Teams and evaluation by the NLSA membership committee. The following schools were recognized as Accredited Schools of Distinction.
- Immanuel Lutheran School, Seymour, Indiana
- Lutheran High School of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
- John Lutheran School, Seward, Nebraska
- Paul’s Lutheran School, Orange, California
- Orange Lutheran High School of Orange County, Orange, California
- Trinity Lutheran School, Utica, Michigan
A School of Distinction is awarded this recognition for the year that it is accredited. The six schools are recognized for the 2019–2020 school year. This recognition provides the schools with the opportunity to celebrate with their community.
The status of a School of Distinction is a tremendous accomplishment. The award demonstrates a school’s commitment to providing a distinctive level of quality Christian education for the children that it serves. For this effort, each school receives a special award that is reflective of the accomplishment. On Sunday, August 25, Travis Grulke, Superintendent of Schools for the Michigan District, LCMS presented the award to Trinity’s principal, Bruce Volkert.
Grulke states, “It was a pleasure celebrating Trinity’s school ministry at all their services this past weekend and a privilege to share with the congregation the exciting news that they were awarded special recognition as a School of Distinction by our Synod’s National Accreditation Commission. The Good Lord has blessed Trinity, and they do an incredible job of sharing those blessings in a variety of ways with the students, families, and community members they serve on a daily basis. Accreditation is all about school improvement and Trinity embraces that as they continually look to improve every area of their ministry to equip their people to reach those who don’t know our Risen Savior. As their principal, Bruce Volkert, summed things up on Sunday: To God be the glory!!”
National Lutheran School Accreditation, based in St Louis, Mo., encourages and recognizes schools that provide quality Christian education and engage in continuous improvement. NLSA currently accredits 682 Lutheran schools that have completed the accreditation process.
Photo courtesy of Travis Grulke
