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Start children off on the way they should go, 
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6

Dear Parent,

Thank you for your interest in West Lutheran High School.

Academically speaking, West Lutheran High School has the blessing of being able to address a variety of learning needs – both those who are in need of an extra academic challenge and those who find academics to be challenging.

West strives to help students make the most of their God-given academic gifts. West is able to offer a unique dual credit program to its students. Through the Minnesota Post Secondary Education Opportunity program, West in cooperation with Concordia University, offer a college level course in Calculus, Literature and Western Civilization.  These courses will offer both high school and college credits to juniors and seniors. What makes this different from most other PSEO programs is that the students will be able to stay within their high school and receive this college level course from our own instructors using a curriculum approved by Concordia. Several other PSEO courses will also be available online.

Historically, West students have scored well on the ACT college entrance test.  The last couple of years have shown considerable readiness.  When reviewing the ACT bench mark scores, scores that show the potential for A and B level work at a college level, our recent senior classes have had the following results:

Meeting the English bench mark: 97% compared to 78% state-wide

Meeting the Mathematics benchmark: 79% compared to 56% state-wide

Meeting the Reading benchmark:  74% compared to 62% state-wide

Meeting the Science benchmark:  62% compared to 38% state-wide.

Incidentally, Minnesota posted the highest scores last year compared to the other forty-nine states.

The smaller size of the student body and small class sizes help teachers to recognize and work with many learning difficulties.  Additionally, the faculty and staff are often able to help teachers adapt instruction to particular needs and provide additional tutoring outside the normal classroom instruction. Besides assisting with unique learning needs, the curriculum of West allows students more than a little preparation for college.  Over 95% of our graduates go on to post secondary education.  We offer advanced placement courses in US History and Literature and honors courses in Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and Chemistry.  We also offer three foreign languages: Spanish, Latin, and Greek. Advanced science learning is also facilitated with Physiology and Physics classes and math learning is enhanced with Trigonometry and PSEO Calculus courses.

Because we are smaller than many schools, students who want to play a sport or be involved in another extra-curricular activity such as drama or music will have that opportunity.  You may not be aware of all the activities that we are able to offer all without athletic fees and hidden costs.  We have enclosed a list for you to consider.

We are hopeful that you are considering registering at West, and we have included the registration paperwork in order for you to do so.

Sincerely,

Dave Gartner
Principal
dgartner@westlutheran.net