Lutheran Schools
Within the District, there are 2 Lutheran high schools, 40 elementary schools, 25 early childhood centers, and Concordia University Chicago, which collectively serve over 12,000 students. Click here for a map of our schools. For more information email us.
August 2025 Ministry Theme: Part I – Teachers
Part I of our August Ministry Theme is all about teachers!
School Vision Clarity Seminars Encourage Looking Toward The Future
Learn more about a series of information seminars held to benefit the future of our Lutheran schools!
District Staff Thank Students At St. Paul Lutheran School Dorchester, Chicago
Thank you to the 7th and 8th grade students at St. Paul Lutheran School Dorchester, Chicago!
St. James, Chicago Celebrates Completion of School Expansion Project
St. James Lutheran Church and School, Chicago celebrates its recent expansion project!
“Our God is Faithful” – 2024 Educator Conference
Educators from throughout the LCMS Northern Illinois District were able to come together for worship, learning, and fellowship!
Back to School Worship Kicks Off 2024-2025 School Year
We pray for God's many blessings on our Northern Illinois District Lutheran schools and all the teachers, staff, and students as they begin the 2024-2025 school year!
Don Gillingham Selected for 2024 Distinguished Retired Lutheran Educator “EncourAGING” Award
Congratulations to Don Gillingham on being selected for the 2024 Distinguished Retired Lutheran Educator "EncourAGING" Award!
NLSA School Shepherd 2023 Award Recipient – Rev. Matthew Hoffman
Congratulations to Rev. Matthew Hoffman on receiving the NLSA 2023 School Shepherd Award!
2023-2024 Hearts for Jesus Program Announced
In your planning for the coming school year, please remember our focus to support the mission of the Belize Mission Society as they serve.
No Better Way to Start the School Year
There was no better way to start the new school year than by being CONNECTED in worship. This marked our 5th annual Back-to-School event.
Donna Laughlin Named 2022 LEA Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Administrator
Donna Laughlin was selected to receive Lutheran Education Association’s 2022 Distinguished Lutheran Elementary Administrator Award
Back to School Worship Provides Words of Encouragement and Gratitude
To God be the glory for all of our faithful educators.
School Enrollment on the Rise
“The teachers have done a wonderful job of sharing Jesus along with our regular academics. We’ve had quite a few baptisms as a result and some families have actually joined the church after becoming connected with our schools.”
Preschool Outdoors at Trinity, Burr Ridge
At Trinity Lutheran School in Burr Ridge, preschool looks a little different this year.
Hearts for Jesus: Belize Mission Society
This year, schools across the Northern Illinois District have adopted the Belize Mission Society as their Hearts for Jesus mission.
NID Hosts Webinar for Educators
The LCMS Northern Illinois District will host a webinar that will explore healthy responses to the real challenges of moving through the days of Covid.
Ministry Beyond Social Distancing: Part II – Schools and Early Childhood Centers
Part II - Schools and Early Childhood Centers is now available.
Students Register to Vote at Rockford Lutheran
The League of Women Voters visited Rockford Lutheran School to assist students with their voter registration process.
School Leaders Gather for Sustainability Seminar
To learn, help, and support one another in facing the challenges of today, Lutheran school leaders met together for a School Sustainability Seminar.
Congregation and School Brought Together at Art Show and Spaghetti Dinner
On Saturday, February 1, nearly 200 family and friends of Immanuel Lutheran Church and Preschool in Mokena, Illinois gathered for a spaghetti dinner and art show with a silent auction to support their preschool.
Why Shouldn’t I Be Baptized?
The congregation members at Zion Lutheran Church in McHenry celebrated a special family baptism this past Sunday, February 2.
Concordia Holds Geocaching Event for Lutheran School Students
Concordia University Chicago's Lutheran Teacher Education (LTE) program welcomed students from Walther Christian Academy to campus for a time of Christian fellowship, fun, and learning.
A Connection to Christ
Sue had been the owner and coach of a successful gymnastics and tumbling program for years, but felt led to do something else.
Concordia University Chicago announces Dr. Russell P. Dawn as next president
Dr. Russell P. Dawn has accepted the call to serve as the 12th president of Concordia University Chicago,
Walking in Nya’s Shoes
When a sixth grade class at the school read the book "A Long Walk to Water", they asked if there wasn’t something they could do to help children like Nya, an eleven year old featured in the book.
Loved by the Father – Planted in Jesus – Growing in the Spirit
Leaders in early childhood administration and teaching ministries from around the country gathered in the LCMS Northern Illinois District.
Blessings Too Many To Count
St. John’s Lutheran School, Lansing, Celebrates Its 125th Anniversary
Grateful. Thankful. Blessed.
On Sunday, January 13, 2019, St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Aurora held a dedication service which celebrated their new school addition, allowing the whole student body to be under one roof.
Walther Christian Academy Students Perform Acts of Service
During their Homecoming week, students from Walther Christian Academy in Melrose Park served various local and international organizations. Looking ahead, they will participate in cancer awareness month with various activities during the month of October.
Pastor Philip Baerwolf named NLSA’s 2018 “School Shepherd”
"His enthusiasm draws people in to know more about Jesus… real hope, real life, because of Jesus..." This week, Pastor Philip Baerwolf of Immanuel Lutheran Church, East Dundee was named the National Lutheran School Accredidation's 2018 School Shepherd.
All for One
Functioning as a community of believers, when one student was in need, his home church and school, another church and school in the community, and a registered service organization moved to help. Together, they ensured that his education would continue uninterrupted and that his food, clothing, and medical needs were all well-cared for.
Students on Mission
During National Lutheran Schools Week this January, over 500 elementary and middle-school students from Fox Valley Lutheran schools joined to celebrate the Reformation and learn more about how they can share the Gospel.
St. John’s, Chicago Teacher Honored by Lutheran Education Association
Leslee Johnson, Kindergarten teacher at St. John's, Chicago, was named the 2018 LEA Distinguished Lutheran Early Childhood Teacher.
Popcorn to Partnerships
Rockford area Lutheran schools have a history of working together to help one another grow. Recently, revitalization efforts have allowed schools to flourish thus creating sustainable institutions in which individuals interact with scripture daily and learn how to apply it to their lives.
Stirred to Love
Teachers and students from urban and suburban schools partner with one another in a way which provides a highway for them to collaborate with and learn from one another.
Meemic School Grant Opportunities
Meemic Insurance Company's Foundation for the Future of Education has two available grants. The "Traditional Grant" provides $500 for any school initiative while the "Masterpieces Art Contest and Grant" is an opportunity for student artists which could provide $300 for art supplies.
NID School Services Coordinator Installed
After 33 years serving as a teacher and principal, Monday, January 29, 2018, Lois Stewart was installed as the NID’s School Services Coordinator, a new position.
Opening Doors to Students for a Chance for a New Start
The new tax credit scholarship allows more low-income families living in the LCMS Northern Illinois district, the opportunity to experience the love of Jesus Christ every school day while attending our Lutheran schools.
St. Peter, Arlington Heights Festival Provides “Immeasurable More”
St. Peter Lutheran Church and School hosted an Oktoberfest which welcomed 1,000 guests and forged the way to build new relationships with community members while expanding those which already existed.
Service Trip Eye Opener for 8th Graders
This Lutheran school eighth grade trip takes students out of the world they live in and helps them experience and serve in a completely new context.
Walther Alumni, Take Note of Upcoming Events
Walther Christian Academy's alumni and friends are invited to special activities during Homecoming 2017 and to raise funds for student scholarships at the annual golf outing.
Kindness 5K: Sharing Life, Love, Light in Memory of Katie Kloess
Concordia University Chicago will host the first-ever Kindness 5K on Sunday, August 27, 2017, at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, Illinois, to celebrate and continue the life, love and light of Katie L. Kloess.
FLAME Targets Lutheran School Leadership Gap
Forty percent of all Lutheran elementary school principals are expected to be at or past retirement age by the year 2020.
Team Up with Lansing School for Run, Walk or Crawl
Make it your goal to run, walk or crawl with members of St. John Lutheran School in Lansing, Illinois, on September 16 — For God and Country.
Reunion at St. Paul Dorchester School
Former students, faculty and friends are invited to contact St. Paul Lutheran School, on Dorchester in Chicago, for information on an all-class reunion, 1932-2000.
Grant Enables New STEM Focus at Aurora Lutheran School
First-ever grant nets $192,000 from Dunham Fund to help St. Paul, Aurora, Illinois, become a STEM-integrated Lutheran school.
New Head of School at Walther Christian Academy
Walther Christian Academy’s Board of Directors has announced that Wayne Wenzel, Jr., is their new Head of School. He joins the ministry team at the Melrose Park, Illinois, school on July 1.
Luther North, Chicago, Suspends Operations
Luther North's last graduation at Berteau Avenue Campus was June 3, 2017, as academic operations are suspended. Memorabilia sale is on June 15 and 17.
Sweets for South Sudan
Sixth grade students at Immanuel Lutheran School, Batavia, Illinois, have helped more than 200 people in South Sudan gain access to clean water.
Rev. Karl Koeppen: District’s 2016 School Shepherd
Rev. Karl Koeppen, senior pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School in Bourbonnais, Illinois, has received the LCMS Northern Illinois District's School Shepherd Award for 2016.
St. Paul School in Mount Prospect Earns Blue Ribbon
St. Paul Lutheran School in Mount Prospect, Illinios, has been recognized as a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Dept. of Education. Preschoolers celebrate planting blue pinwheels in the school yard.
Joliet Preschool Dedicates Gift of New Sign
In September of every school year, the students and families of Our Savior Lutheran Preschool and Kindergarten in Joliet, Illinois, are invited to "Preschool Sunday." This year was even more special.