State Visit

Earlier this month the Illinois State Board of Education and a team of local professionals, including the principal from Ogden, the principal form Trinity, Burr Ridge, and Dr. Shirley Morgenthaler from St. John’s and Concordia University, came to inspect St. John’s. All private schools in the state which have not been visited since 2007 are being visited this year. The recommendation of this group is necessary to maintain state recognition of a school.

I am pleased to report that the team was very impressed with the education they found taking place at St. John’s. We were commended on the higher level thinking skills that were observed. The academic rigor of our teaching was very evident to the team. The word walls in first and second grade and all the fine examples of student writing in the halls were also praised.

St. John’s received many positive comments about our building and the colorful classrooms. Since the public school teachers know we do not qualify for state or federal money, they were very impressed by the updates in the building and asked about per pupil cost. When told the cost of tuition versus the true cost of education here, they were stunned at the level of congregational support in place. We explained to them that the congregation subsidizes the school as its largest mission opportunity. We showed them that helping students Meet Jesus, Experience the support of a church and school, helping them Live as disciples was not only the church mission but also the school’s mission. It was a wonderful visit. Thank you for all the support given to the school by parents, teachers, and congregation members. This school is a special place, and that was understood by our visitors.

Lynn Kahl, Principal