Macomb's Lutheran Schools See Slight Increase in Enrollment for 2011-12

As students in parochial schools in the township head back to school this week they will find administrators there eager to begin another full year of academics and activities.

Enrollment at Immanuel Lutheran School is up slightly from last year as is the tuition at the school, said Principal Robert Christian. 

Located off Romeo Plank between 21 and 22 Mile roads, Immanuel Lutheran has 350 students in K-8, 180 children in the preschool program, plus several new part-time staff members.

Christian said he anticipates a very busy school year ahead including lots of after-school clubs, such as chess, golf and Spanish, plus a full-scale athletic program for students in fifth through eighth grades.

“We also have a band, a choir and a hand bell choir for the students,” Christian said. “And they put on musicals throughout the year at all the different grade levels.”

Amid all those activities, Christian said he’s also looking forward to the service projects, one for the school and one in the community, that each classroom embraces during the year.

“We’ve had students go to a nursing home to sing to the residents, some cleaned up yards and ,” Christian said. “Last year was our first year for the service projects here and it was very successful.”

Student numbers at St. Peter’s School have stayed about even with last year’s counts, which included 560 students from preschool through the eighth grade. Principal Kyle Chuhran said tuition was increased slightly and they have added a pair of teachers to their staff roster for the 2011-12 school year.

“We are one of the largest Lutheran schools and every year we are usually No. 1 or No. 2 in the state,” Chuhran said.

Band, choir and plenty of athletic opportunities fill the school’s after-hours programs for both boys and girls in fifth through eighth grades.

A Patriot Walk will kick off the community service projects at the school as students from St. Peter‘s, located at 24 Mile and Romeo Plank roads, will join forces with Lutheran High School North to commemorate Sept. 11, Chuhran said.

“We will start at the stadium at Lutheran North, there will be a small ceremony with some officials from law enforcement and then the students will walk through the local neighborhood,” Chuhran said. “It’s just a way to recognize and commemorate Sept. 11 and honor our military and firefighters.”

In fact, students at both schools will be collecting donations that day for former Lutheran North student Sgt. Davin Dumar, who was seriously wounded while serving in Afghanistan. Chuhran said student families are asked, if they wish, to send in a donation with their child on Patriot Walk day, which will be Sept. 9.

At Lutheran North, located at 24 Mile and Romeo Plank roads, close to 550 students in grades 9-12 will take their places in classrooms that are pretty high-tech compared to most high school standards.

“We are constantly trying to stay ahead of the curve with technology, our entire building is wireless and we welcome mobile devices and laptops for students,” said Assistant Principal Bryan Oechsner. “And really, we are trying to lead the way with all the technology.”

For example, a computer programming class includes time spent with the instructor reviewing different applications students can utilize on their smart phones. Oechsner also teaches a media course where he reviews social media sites like Twitter and Facebook with his students.

Beyond the classroom, Lutheran North offers all the traditional team athletics competing in the Catholic League. The school also boasts a very strong community service program, known as Noah Hours, for all students that requires 40 hours of volunteer time per student per year.