Prospectus for Crean Crean Lutheran South High School �Education is the �black gold� of the twenty-first century economics.� (Financial Times, October 18, 2006) Globally, politicians, policymakers and business leaders realize a race is underway for the best education for our children as countries try to compete with the best workers. During the last century, the USA was a leader in getting most of its citizens educated. In the new millennium, some of the previously underachieving nations have moved to the top (i.e., South Korea has a rate of 97% of 25�34 ages are now educated). Suddenly the United States finds itself in a catch-up mode in the race for being a leading force in �black gold economics�. It�s a race we can�t afford to loose.
The Bible�s Influence on American Values: In early American history, many classrooms used only one book to teach from, The Bible. This shaped a common value system for our country whose citizens still say, in The Pledge of Allegiance, �one nation under God.� More recently, as a nation, we have been investing greater amounts of time, energy and resources in multiple educational opportunities to accommodate our increasing diversity. The growth of charter schools, home-schooling, and private Christian schools has become a viable and important part of the race for educating our young people to be a competitive force in the world. We believe that starting a top quality Christian high school in south Orange County is urgently needed, not only to compete with quality education but also to emphasize the Bible�s influence upon our American values.
People of God Value Education: The Bible calls youth and adults to know God. Psalm 78 gives a directive: �That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children that they should put their confidence in God.� (Ps. 78:6�7) In Jesus� farewell words to his disciples, He gives a directive to all nations regarding the value of education, �Go, and make disciples (learners) of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you�� (Matthew 29:19�2). As Christians, we have a long history of teaching and learning.
A Christian Worldview: How does a Christian live, work, and play in a world of many faiths and contrasting values? C. S. Lewis said, �I believe in Jesus Christ as I believe the sun has risen not just because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.� Teaching from a Christian worldview calls us to train our children in Biblical values, preparing them to be leaders and decision-makers wherever they may live, work and play. This new Lutheran High School will teach this worldview to permeate every fiber of our lifestyles and values to see all of life through the lens of The Bible and Jesus� teachings
The Lutheran Church�s Rich History in Education: The Lutheran Church has a rich history of providing excellent schools to pass on faith in Christ and to prepare students to be spiritually, academically, socially and physically prepared to impact the world, making visible the ways, teachings, and salvation of Christ. Martin Luther (1483-1546), speaking of the importance of a Christian worldview education, said, �I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do no reign paramount. Every institution that does not unceasingly pursue the study of God�s Word becomes corrupt.� The Lutheran Church, with a 150+ year history of providing excellence in day school education, now operates the largest Protestant school system in the nation, with more than 300,000 students in 2,600 schools. The U.S. Department of Education, in a recent survey, ranked the Lutheran system of private education highest academically among all other schools, including public, Catholic, charter, other Protestant, or other private schools. Lutheran schools have highly respected �brand name� recognition in the educational marketplace.
To reinforce the academic standards, Lutheran schools uniquely understand the partnership between Christian parents, Christian churches and Christian schools, creating a healthy environment for learning and development. They understand and model God�s unconditional love which is a rich soil for children to learn, develop and thrive.
The Vision: Ten years ago, Orange Lutheran High School began to consider and pray about the possibility of a campus in the south Orange County to accommodate the growing need for high quality Christian education. In the summer of 2004, God�s timing spurred a �coming together� of south Orange County churches, educators, and lay leaders for the purpose of making this vision and prayer a reality. In 2003, 2005, and again in 2008, market surveys were conducted by Behavior Research, Inc., Phoenix AZ. Results are consistent and predict that the target area would, with a facility and campus, enroll over 550 students at opening of the school and within two years grow to 1,300 students.
The Mission: The mission statement of this new South Orange County Lutheran High School is Proclaiming Jesus Christ through Excellence in Education. Our mission theme is to be �decidedly Christian and distinctively excellent.�
This new Lutheran high school will emphasize the instrumental role of parents in teaching students a Christian worldview which observes and translates life through the lens of faith. The outcome of this collaborative educational effort is to make disciples who are learners of the wisdom and salvation of Jesus Christ. Each student will be loved, cared for, and celebrated as God�s gift.
Vision Becomes Reality: Today, with a highly qualified governing board, Mr. Jeffrey Beavers serving as Principal, Dr. Bill Bartlett serving as Executive Director, an administrative staff and an approved business plan, the new high school has opened and is already accredited by WASC! This new Lutheran High School began classes in the academic year of 2007�2008. The school's interim location is the brand new two-story 31,000 square feet classroom building at 4947 Alton Parkway in Irvine�on the campus of St. Paul�s Greek Orthodox Church. Concordia University�Irvine is two miles from the interim campus. The high school will use Concordia�s library, gymnasium and athletic fields. A nearby permanent site of 30-40 acres is presently in escrow. Plans are to begin construction in early 2009 and occupy the phase I of the permanent facility during the 2009-2010 school year. This new Lutheran High School will be the only private Christian school within ten miles of the intersection of the I-5 and 405 freeways.
Crean Lutheran South is WASC (Western Association of Schools & Colleges) accredited and offers a full academic curriculum which meets A-G California State Standards for admission to the University of California system as well as to other elite colleges and universities. Included in the curriculum are AP courses, special education, electives, Bible courses, and weekly chapel. A competitive sports program will be offered as well as a full array of extracurricular opportunities. Small classes will be the norm with caring, Christian, credentialed teachers. Throughout the courses, an integration of Christian worldview will convey the learning through the eyes of faith. In addition, the partnership between the parents, churches and school will be important, valued, and nurtured in order to value every student and to help each student succeed.
A Vision of this Magnitude Takes Money: Therefore, taking seriously the call from Jesus Christ�s command to �Go make disciples� baptizing and teaching,� the new Lutheran High School is committed to open with a solid foundation, Biblically and financially. After careful study and projections, it has been estimated that buying land and building a facility that will accommodate 1,200 to 1,500 students will cost approximately $100-110 Million. An essential part of the business plan is to receive donations for as much of the projected cost as possible over the next three years with ongoing efforts for significant annual support. Obviously, the more donations that are generously given now, the less borrowed money will be needed to fiscally balance this educational ministry far into the future
A Call to Make a Difference by Your Gift: Therefore, we call upon you to consider giving a substantial gift that will provide an opportunity for Proclaiming Jesus Christ through Excellence in Education. Your donation will make it possible for young people in south Orange County to personally experience the love of God, to live by faith as disciples of Jesus Christ, and to become educated Christian leaders who will impact and change their relationships, neighborhoods, community, culture, and world with the transforming power of Jesus Christ. This is a value all of us share as we pursue what Financial Times calls �black gold economics��and what God�s Word calls investing in the light of Eternity!
Crean Lutheran South High School
Rick Needham, Board president
Dr. Bill Bartlett, Executive Director and Pastor
23262 El Toro Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630
(949) 916-0897
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