Rockford Lutheran High School

Rockford Lutheran High School is a private school in Rockford, Illinois. Established in 1964, Rockford Lutheran High School is associated with 25 area Lutheran Churches. The Lutheran churches have associations with both ELCA and LCMS. Students attend more than 100 area churches; 49% attend a Lutheran church. More than 2,000 students have graduated from Rockford Lutheran High School since the first graduating class in 1969. The school's nickname is The Crusaders and the school colors are purple and white.

History

Lutherans from the LCMS Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin districts met in 1963, formed a "Central Committee", and charged said committee with developing a Lutheran High School. The following school year the committee initiated a 9th grade pilot program and incorporated the Lutheran High School Association, which purchased 65 acres (260,000 m²) (407729664.103602 square inches) of land on North Alpine road.

Twenty-five 9th grade students met at St. Paul's facilities in downtown Rockford during the 1965-66 school year. Richard H Knee was the first teacher and instrumental in the expansion and development of the school. He is now retired in Murphy North Carolina. They added 10th grade the following year and enrollment increased to 69 students. Twenty-four seniors graduated in 1969. Land was purchased and the building program developed in those early years.

High School construction began in 1971. The first classes in the new facilities were held during the 1971-72 school year. By fall 1974 the school had 182 students, 10 full-time teachers and three part-time teachers. LHS added 7th grade during the 1982-83 school year as an outreach tool to residents who sent their students to local elementary schools. During this time, the school broadened its mission to include the Lutheran Church in America and the American Lutheran Church as association members.

The Junior High flourished in this new era, feeding the expansion of the high school program. Interest in the lower grades led to the creation of Luther Academy at Gloria Dei, America's first ELCA-LCMS primary school. Gloria Dei opened its doors August 25, 1993, with 101 Kindergarten through 4th grade students. In 1997, Alpine Lutheran Church offered an additional site for another primary school. After 10 years of operation, Rockford Lutheran Schools consolidated the two academies at the Gloria Dei site and renamed the school "Rockford Lutheran Academy." The program now numbers over 350 students in Pre School through 6th grade at the Academy and 650 students in the Jr. & Sr. High School.

Honors Courses are offered in Math, Science, English, Foreign Language, and Social Studies; AP testing is offered in Anatomy/Physiology, Physics II, College Calculus, Foreign Language, and Senior Honors English.

Athletics and extra-curricular activity

The High School (grades 9-12) competes in the Big Northern Conference. The Junior High School (grades 7-8) competes in the Big Northern Conference. The school has three gymnasiums, lighted track and field complex, and a weight room.

Rockford Lutheran High School sports

Boys - Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track, Wrestling, Bass fishing, Swimming, Volleyball.

Girls - Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Spirit Squad, Tennis, Track, Volleyball, Bass Fishing

In 2015 running back James Robinson set new IHSA state records in football for career rushing yardage (9,045), career rushing touchdowns (158), and most career points scored (948).^[1][2]

Rockford Lutheran Jr. High School sports

Boys -Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Soccer, Track, Wrestling, Tennis

Girls - Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Spirit Squad, Track, Volleyball, Tennis

References

External links

• Official website