About
Our Mission & Vision
St. Stephens Lutheran School was started in 1943 in order to offer a Christian education to the children of St. Stephens Lutheran Church.
At St. Stephens Lutheran School, our commitment to providing a high-quality, Christ-centered education has remained steadfast throughout the years. While our curriculum, faculty, and facilities have continued to grow and evolve, our mission remains unchanged: to provide a well-rounded Christian education that nurtures the hearts and minds of children in our congregation and throughout the Hickory community.
We believe education goes beyond the classroom. Our approach focuses on developing the whole child—academically, spiritually, socially, emotionally, and physically. Through a supportive, faith-filled learning environment, we encourage students to grow in knowledge, build confidence, develop strong character, and discover their God-given potential.
Christian values are at the heart of everything we do. We strive to instill honesty, kindness, compassion, respect, integrity, and an unwavering trust in God. These principles guide our students not only throughout their educational journey but also as they grow into responsible, caring individuals who make a positive difference in the world.
At SSLS, we believe that a strong partnership between home and school is essential to a child's success. Our dedicated teachers and supportive families work together to create a welcoming community where every child is known, valued, encouraged, and loved.
Our educators view teaching as more than a profession—it is a calling. They are passionate about nurturing each student's unique gifts while providing a strong academic foundation rooted in biblical truth. Through meaningful instruction, personal attention, and genuine care, we help students develop the knowledge, skills, faith, and confidence needed to thrive.
At St. Stephens Lutheran School, we don't just educate students—we nurture faith, inspire learning, build character, and create a foundation for a lifetime of success.
St. Stephens Lutheran School is proudly affiliated with St. Stephens Lutheran Church, a member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). Our Lutheran heritage and Christian faith serve as the foundation of our educational philosophy, guiding our mission to share Christ's love through teaching, learning, and service.
We teach the "whole" child at St. Stephens Lutheran School, providing opportunities for academic, emotional, social, and physical growth within a Christ-centered learning atmosphere.
Our Mission
Centered in Christ, St. Stephens Lutheran School provides an inspiring education that empowers students to achieve their God-given talents.
Our Vision
Our vision is to be recognized as an innovator of quality Christ-centered education marked by vibrant school and community relationships.
About Our Logo
Our school logo features a Gold shield adorned with an "St" monogram. Notably, the "t" in the monogram is stylized to represent a cross. The shield symbolizes protection and tradition, while the cross-emphasized monogram encapsulates our Christian foundations.
St. Stephens Lutheran School is affiliated with St. Stephens Lutheran Church, a member of the Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod (LCMS).
Lutherans have established schools in our country since 1640. The reasons for opening and maintaining these schools has varied across the country and throughout history. All can be traced to six goals. Some of the Lutheran schools will exist for all six reasons, others for only 2 or 3 of them. Each is a valid reason for the establishment and maintenance of a Lutheran school.
- To nurture faith
- To grow in grace and knowledge
- To teach the Word
- To communicate and establish Christian values
- To equip for Christian service
- To reach out with the Gospel to others
