| Principal Hanne Krause, M.A. hnlhs@hotmail.com |
Guidance Counselor Casey Kunde, M.A. kunde7@cox.net |
School, Community, and Mission
In the tradition of Lutheran schools in America dating back to the mid-eighteenth century, Lutheran High School of San Diego serves commuter students from Lutheran congregations and the community of the greater San Diego area. Built on a foundation of faith in Christ, the school provides students in grades nine through twelve with a rigorous, college preparatory academic schedule and exciting co-curricular opportunities in sports, music, and art—all centered in the development of Christian values and relationships.
The student body class populations are 16 Seniors, 19 Juniors, 33 Sophomores, and 22 Freshmen. The ethnic distribution of the student body is 63% Anglo, 9% African-American, 19% Hispanic, 6% Asian and 3% other. The students are 41% Lutheran, 46% members of other Christian churches and 13% non-churched. This year 59% of all new students attended another Lutheran school the previous year.
Accreditation
Lutheran High is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Additionally, the academic, college preparatory courses offered are approved by the University of California. The school is a member of the Lutheran Educators Conference of the Pacific Southwest District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and also the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association (ELEA) of the ELCA. The school also belongs to the Western Alliance of Lutheran Secondary Schools, the Association of Lutheran Secondary Schools (ALSS), California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), and California Scholarship Federation (CSF).
Faculty
Ten (10) full-time certified staff members at Lutheran High include one Principal with a Master's Degree, one Guidance Counselor with a Master's Degree and 7 teachers qualified with 4 Bachelor's Degrees and 3 Master's Degrees. Two (2) part-time staff members, both with Master’s Degrees, complement the full-time teaching staff. All are trained and experienced teachers with most holding current state teaching credentials. Six (6) women complement four (4) men for our full time staff.
Spiritual Emphasis
LHS is a community of faith where both students and teachers endeavor to live and extend the values of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Religion class is required for 4 years and a chapel service is held once a week. Mission offerings from chapel services each quarter are given to community programs. Christian principles and motives are part of every classroom and central to the school's academic quest for excellence. A community service volunteer class, "Faith in Action," is required for all graduates. Praise Team is popular with students wishing to lead and serve.
Academic Expectations and Graduation Requirements
Students at Lutheran High register for 7-8 academic courses per semester and must achieve 54 units of credit for graduation. One unit is awarded for each successfully completed semester course. The college preparatory track requires 8 units in Religion, 8 units in English, 6 units in Math, 6 units in Science, 7 units in Social Studies, 4 units in Foreign Language, 4 units in Physical Education, 4 units in Applied/Practical Arts, 4 units in Fine/Visual/Performing Arts, and 2 units in academic electives.
Academic Calendar
Lutheran High's academic calendar counts two semesters of 18 weeks each. Six-week grades are issued and averaged with 90-minute semester exams to compute semester grades, which are the only grades recorded on transcripts. A week devoted to curriculum enrichment between the semesters ("Mini-Week") rounds out the calendar and offers students a choice of both practical and specialized, week-long concentrated classes such as "Poetry Workshop," "History of Film," "Peer Ministry," "Single and Surviving," "Driver's Education" and volunteer community services.
Transportation and Demographics
The majority of students commute to school in car pools or personal vehicles. The school does not currently have a school bus, but public transportation is available nearby. While 56% of students come from the central San Diego area, 26% are from South Bay,16% are from La Mesa, Spring Valley and East County, and 2% are from North County.
Grading and Honors Classes
Grades of A through F are awarded for all courses, and a grade point average is computed on a 4.00 scale. Only in extraordinary cases are grades of CR (Credit) or P (Pass) given. All grades are included in a student's GPA except CR, P and grades for P.E. and teacher aides. A cumulative GPA, calculated each semester from all of a student's semester grades, is the basis for class rank. Honors courses such as AP English along with Spanish IV, AP Biology and AP Art History are graded on a 5.00 scale in a student's GPA and are the only weighted courses in the curriculum. Students are also required to take the AP Exams if they are enrolled in an AP course.
College Admission Testing
A high percentage of students at Lutheran High annually take the PSAT, SAT, SAT II, and ACT exams.
5-Year Average:
- Verb - 560
- Math - 570
- Writing - 503 (2-Year Average)
College Entrance
Nearly 100% of the 2005 LHS graduates attend either a 2-year or 4-year post-secondary institution.
Lutheran High graduates have attended colleges such as University of San Diego, University of California (Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego), Concordia University (Irvine, Seward, St. Paul and Bronxville), Long Beach State University, San Diego State University, California State University Los Angeles, Azusa Pacific University, George Washington University, University of Rochester, Vanderbilt University, Pepperdine University, Valparaiso University, Point Loma Nazarene University and West Point Naval Academy.
Athletic Competition
Lutheran High is a member of the Division V Citrus League of the San Diego Section, California Interscholastic Federation. The following teams are fielded:
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| Football | Girls' Basketball (JV, V) | Girls' Softball (V) |
| Girls' Volleyball (JV V) | Boys' Basketball (JV, V) | Boys' Baseball (V) |
| Girls' and Boys' Cross Country |
Academic Competition
Each spring semester Varsity, JV and Novice Academic Teams compete in a quiz-bowl format through the San Diego City Schools Academic League. Lutheran High has placed first in their division in the last two years.
Technology
Lutheran High has computers in most classrooms, a modern lab and distance learning equipment by which students can participate in real-time, interactive video-linked classes from other high schools/colleges and even receive credit for university-level courses.
Financial Assistance
A limited amount of financial aid toward tuition is available each year to worthy students of demonstrated need. Applications for grants must be made in April prior to the year of attendance for the best consideration.
Student Activities
Classes such as Drama, praise team and Student Publications are of high interest. Students also have an opportunity to become active participants in student government, and service organizations. Chapters of the California Scholarship Federation exist on campus for recognition of honor students. Other students take part in a number of different activities such as San Diego Honors Seminar, Hugh O'Brien Youth Conference, speech, and essay contests, and student leadership conferences. Social events such as dances are scheduled throughout the year by the individual classes or the ASB.