Our History...

Lutherans from Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin met in 1963, formed the "Central Committee", and charged them 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 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.  They added 10th grade the following year and enrollment increased to 69 students.  Twenty-four seniors graduated in 1969.

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.

Rockford Lutheran Schools encourages the continued growth of a Lutheran education system in Northern Illinois.  This is the broadest, most effective way for the church to minister to the needs of area families.  There is a great need for a Christ-centered, value-based education.  The harvest is plentiful, the possibilities, infinite, and the rewards, eternal.

We are dedicated to making disciples and impacting students through our academic and extracurricular programs, which inspire growth and service to God.  The hand of the Lord continues to guide our schools, touching lives for eternity.