Top 10 Reasons to Enroll at SSLS
10. Academic Results. On the Stanford X Achievement Test, a leading national achievement test for students, the average student at St. Stephens Lutheran School scores above the 80th percentile on the reading and math tests. Our graduates are known for their great academic success in local high schools as most are placed into honors classes. It is not unusual to find many of our students in the top 10% of their high school classes. In 2003, St. Stephens Lutheran School was honored by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School for academic excellence.
9. Curriculum. The curriculum at St. Stephens Lutheran School is reflected in the North Carolina standards, national standards, and Lutheran school standards. In addition to the core subjects, all students in Kindergarten-Grade 8 have music, art, computer, physical education, and Spanish classes each week. Students have religion classes each day and all children attend a chapel service on Wednesday mornings. Our preschool curriculum includes phonics and math as well as religion, music, computer education, physical education, and art.
8. Accreditation. St. Stephens Lutheran School is the only non-public school in Catawba County accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, (SACS CASI). The school is also accredited by the National Lutheran Schools Accreditation. Our preschool program has a Five-Star program rating by the state of North Carolina.
7. Affordable. St. Stephens Lutheran School is affordable for the high quality of education offered. With scholarship funds from an Endowment Fund, financial support from the congregation, and generous gifts received through various donors, the tuition cost to parents is kept at a reasonable price. Financial aid is available to help with tuition costs.
6. Parent Support. Strong parent support is evident in the lives of their children, with high expectations for the children. Coupled with the high expectations and loving concern of the teachers, the children are blessed with strong home and school support. We encourage parents to attend chapel on Wednesday mornings, have lunch with their children, and help as volunteers in the classrooms. Our PTL provides leadership with school fundraisers and in planning family-friendly events.
5. Congregation Support. Members of St. Stephens Lutheran Church started the school in 1943 to offer a Christian education to their children as well as to the Hickory community. The school currently has third generation children in attendance as both grandparents and parents are alumni. The congregation has generously supported Christian education through prayer, finances, and facilities.
4. Extra-curricular Activities. Students at St. Stephens Lutheran School are given opportunities to compete in many extra-curricular activities. Academic-oriented activities include a Geography Bee, Spelling Bee, Bible Bee, and the Battle of the Books. Students may participate in sport activities including intramural basketball for Grades 1-4, and soccer, volleyball, cross country, basketball, cheerleading, tennis, golf, softball, and baseball for students in Grades 5-8. Summer camps are offered each summer for preschoolers and children in Grades K-6.
3. Teachers. Our highly dedicated, professional educators are more than teachers ... they are coaches, advisors, mentors, and friends. They have years of experience in Christian education, and many have already achieved or are pursuing advanced degrees. Through their passion and commitment, teachers instill in students a lifelong love of learning.
2. Kids Love Coming to School. A visit to our campus quickly shows the joy children have in coming to school. A look into their eyes, the smiles on their faces, and their excitement as they walk through the hallways, is a real blessing. Their strong sense of being loved and encouraged is evident.
1. Jesus Is Here. St. Stephens Lutheran School shares the love of Jesus each day in word and action. Students come to understand the law and gospel, sin and forgiveness, and Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
