Lutheran high school coming to St. Charles

At a time when many faith-based schools are struggling to stay open, St. Charles may become the host city for a new Lutheran high school.

The movement behind the school is established enough to already own a 33-acre site at 6N771 Crane Road in St. Charles. The property is about five miles south of Elgin. However, the movement is also so early in its progress toward building a school that it hasn't actually started raising money or even named the school year. The project is currently simply known as the "New Lutheran High School."

The current timeline for the school envisions doors opening to students in time for the 2012-2013 school year. Fundraising is set to begin in June 2010. There is no architect involved in the process just yet, so an exact cost of constructing the school is unknown.

Jan Zimdahl has been a Lutheran schoolteacher her entire career. She is leading the new high school project as the director of strategic development. Zimdahl said the time is now to build a new school even in the face of the struggling economy and several recently-shuttered private schools. The fact is, Zimdahl said, there aren't many options for parents or students looking for a Christian-based high school option outside of the Aurora or Elgin areas. In meeting with administrators of some of those schools, Zimdahl said she's been urged onward with the belief of those competitors that a need exists for a Christian high school between those two ends of the Fox Valley.

"Despite the challenges that are out there, there are people who will meet this need," Zimdahl said. "There are a lot of people out there that are just waiting for this kind of option. And, not only are they waiting, they are willing to be part of making it happen."

Zimdahl said the new school will follow more modern methods of school building design and rational learning than parents may think of when they relate to their own Christian-based school years. That includes modern technology in the classrooms at a tuition price that is competitive with other area private schools. But it also involves inclusive learning that doesn't shut anyone out because they aren't Lutheran or learn at a slower pace. There will be no separation of students in the "smart kids" vs. the "slow learners," Zimdahl pledged. And students will always know how the material in class relates to the real world.

"The less a student has to ask or wonder, 'Why do I have to know this?,' the better," Zimdahl said.

The project is currently in a phase of interest and team building. But Zimdahl said the time for public action is nearing.

"To be able to successfully launch in a time like this really creates an astounding hope for the future," she said. "We're beginning the phase of participation, and that phase is to ignite the passion and build the capacity of the organization. Then and only then can we look at people and say, 'You've given your time, now we need you to give some money.' "

Those interested in following the progress of the school or getting involved can visit newlutheranhighschool.org for more information.