⚠️ Please Note:
Zion Lutheran School is currently temporarily closed. The information below reflects how our school has operated and is provided for families interested in learning about our educational ministry. We are prayerfully hopeful that Zion Lutheran School will reopen in the future. Tuition, fees, staffing, and programs will be updated when enrollment resumes.
Do we have to be members of Zion Lutheran Church for our child to attend the school?
No. We welcome all children, regardless of whether your family is a member of our congregation. When Zion Lutheran School reopens, we look forward to continuing to serve families from our church and throughout the surrounding community.
What if we’re members of another church or denomination?
No problem. Zion does not proselytize or make any attempts to encourage your child or family to leave your church and join ours. Although the children are taught basic Christian doctrine, we do not encourage families to leave their church or denomination to become Lutheran. We do, however, encourage every family to be active in worship and attend the church where they are members.
Our family isn’t Christian. Would our child still be welcome at Zion?
Absolutely. Zion has always welcomed children regardless of whether their families are Christian. Our desire is to provide a loving, Christ-centered environment where every child is cared for, encouraged, and given the opportunity to learn about God’s love.
How does Zion support children with special learning needs?
Although our small student-to-teacher ratio often allows teachers to develop instruction that meets a child’s individual needs, some special needs students may find additional services through the local county or public school systems. Our staff has worked closely with local agencies and can serve as a referral source to help families ensure their child receives the services he or she needs.
What can families expect tuition to be when the school reopens?
Because Zion Lutheran School is currently temporarily closed, tuition and fees for a future school year have not yet been established.
For reference, during our most recent year of operation, tuition was $502 per month per student ($5,020 annually). Families with two or more students paid $763 per month ($7,630 annually). Updated tuition information will be announced if and when the school reopens.
Are there any additional fees besides tuition?
When the school reopens, any registration fees and additional costs will be announced before enrollment begins.
For reference, our previous fee schedule included a registration fee, band fee, consumable book fee, and technology fee. Some fees were discounted for families with more than one child enrolled.
What if tuition is difficult for our family to afford?
Zion has always desired to make Christian education available to as many families as possible.
When the school reopens, any tuition assistance opportunities will be announced at that time. In the past, Tuition Assistance Grants were available for qualifying first-year families, and members of the Zion congregation have often helped families who needed financial assistance.
If tuition or fees are ever a concern, we encourage families to speak with the school staff. Every situation is considered individually, and we are always willing to discuss available options.
Is transportation available?
At this time, transportation is not available. As plans for reopening move forward, transportation options will be evaluated based on the needs of our school families.
Is before- or after-school care available?
We have offered daycare in the past, and if there is sufficient need when the school reopens, we will certainly explore providing those services again.
How do multi-grade classrooms help students learn and succeed?
Very well. Research has shown that multi-grade classrooms encourage greater depth in children’s social, academic, and intellectual development than single-grade classrooms. Teachers encourage cross-age interaction through shared learning and discovery, giving younger students the opportunity to observe and learn from their older classmates. At the same time, older students often assist younger children with schoolwork, social interactions, and extracurricular activities, helping to build confidence, leadership, and a strong sense of community.
Is technology part of the classroom experience?
Yes. Technology has always been an important part of the curriculum at Zion Lutheran School. During our most recent years of operation, every student in grades 1–8 was provided with a Chromebook to use in the classroom and was encouraged to explore how technology can support and enhance learning. We anticipate technology will continue to play an important role when the school reopens.
Are parents required to participate in fundraising?
No. Unlike many private and parochial schools, parents have never been required to participate in fundraising. While tuition and fees help cover a portion of the school’s expenses, Zion Lutheran Church has always provided much of the financial support for the school through the faithful generosity of its congregation.
The Parent Teachers League has traditionally organized fundraising activities throughout the year, and families have always been encouraged to participate—but participation has never been required. Our desire is for parents to enjoy being involved in the life of the school, not to feel obligated to participate in fundraising.
What kinds of extracurricular activities do students enjoy?
Zion Lutheran School has always believed that learning extends beyond the classroom. In previous years, students enjoyed participating in a variety of activities, including:
- Autumn Festival
- School choir and band concerts
- Open House and Family Night
- Veterans Day and Christmas parade floats
- Lutheran Schools Week activities
- Annual Poetry and Prose On Stage Competition in Visalia
- Track Meet
- Lutheran Schools Track Meet
- Choir, orchestra concerts, and plays at Porterville High School
- Educational visits to area museums and the planetarium
- “Splash Day” at the Porterville Pool to celebrate the end of the school year
As plans for reopening move forward, extracurricular activities will be evaluated and offered based on student interest and available opportunities.
Who teaches at Zion Lutheran School?
During our most recent years of operation, the teaching staff included two full-time teachers and two part-time teacher assistants. The student-to-teacher ratio, including assistants and volunteers, averaged approximately 10:1, allowing students to receive personal attention and individualized instruction.
In addition to the teaching staff, Zion Lutheran Church also employed a half-time church and school secretary, a half-time maintenance and custodial staff member, and an early morning grounds supervisor. Many dedicated volunteers also faithfully assisted throughout the church and school.
Every employee and volunteer is a committed Christian who loves children, supports Christian education, and is always willing to serve wherever needed.
How does Zion Lutheran School keep students safe?
The safety and well-being of our students has always been one of our highest priorities and will continue to be when the school reopens.
Because Zion is located in a rural setting, the campus is not exposed to high levels of traffic or heavy pedestrian activity. Every staff member undergoes a background check before employment and receives safety and security training as part of their professional development.
Each classroom is equipped with a telephone for emergency communication, and our smaller enrollment has allowed students, parents, teachers, and staff to know one another by name. This close-knit environment encourages everyone to care for, support, and look out for one another.