Advertisement

Grace Lutheran School

Private | PK-8 | 225 students

Our school is best known for high quality Christian education.
 
 

Living in River Forest

Situated in an urban neighborhood. The median home value is $505,000. The average monthly rent for a 2 bedroom apartment is $940.

Source: Sperling's Best Places
 
Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
Based on 1 rating
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 3 ratings
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

Rate this school

Click on stars to rate
Please select a star rating for this school.
    Helpful reviews answer questions:
  • What do you think others should know?
  • What do you like?
  • How could your school improve?
    Review Guidelines
    GreatSchools won’t post reviews that contain:
  • Inappropriate language
  • Allegations of criminal conduct
  • Names of students, teachers or staff
1200 characters remaining
Please indicate your relationship to the school.
Please read and accept our Terms of Use to join GreatSchools.
Indicates a required field

9 reviews of this school


Sort by:
Show reviews by:
Posted February 13, 2013

My 2 children are graduates of Grace; they were well prepared for high school. Once in high school they both took all honors and AP classes to the highest level and are now in college with one majoring in pre-med and the other pursuing a master's in business. Beyond the academic success they are achieving, I feel they were taught to pursue social justice and volunteer causes and are committed to making a difference in their field.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 12, 2011

My son has been attending Grace Lutheran for several years now. We are not members of this, or any, church. We have always been made to feel more than welcome, and very comfortable. We have been invited to many parties and outings both in the school year and during the summer break. Even the kids in my son s class that are not really friends are all very respectful to each other and quite kind in my experience. I have found the individual attention, the small class size and the academics to be excellent. Foreign language is taught in all grades, starting in kindergarten (perhaps even JK and preschool). Art and music are integral to the curriculum. For example, they have artists of the week, where a single master is discussed in many of the classes, the decade the artist lived, the culture lived in, where they can incorporate art they do. Junior Orchestra is offered beginning in the first grade. There is plenty of recess breaks for the children, currently my son gets at least two longer recess breaks along with a shorter 10 minute break every day. There are no letter grades given individual assessments review the progress the individual child has made.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 7, 2011

This school has been great for my kids. They have flourished with the personalized attention. The only way to feel impersonal here is to actively try to remain anonymous. The entire staff is VERY caring and united in their desire for all children to succeed, be happy and develop a relationship with God. But it is a small private Christian school filled with all of the advantages as well as pitfalls of such an institution. The previously mentioned bullying has been addressed and resolved.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 19, 2011

This school has been fantastic. We are not members of the church, but have always felt welcome. Many of the children are either members of other churches, or no affiliation at all. The attention the the childs well being is great. We have been sending our child, who is your average kid, here for two years with absolutely no problems at all. His reading, writing math, and social skills are all blossoming beautifully. The focus on music and art are phenomenal. Lots of recess and physical play. Standardized testing and letter grades are not part of this school. Individual assesments, lots of parental involvment and a very loving atmosphere. Highly recommended by this parent!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 8, 2010

We found this school to be rather impersonal. Solidly average academics. Our experience was not outstanding but rather middle-of-the-road. I would consider this school if your local public option is not acceptable.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted January 11, 2010

Organizational skills should be taught primarily at home. This school has everything your child needs and more. Great academics, caring teachers, great music programs, sports and a Christian education from people who really care.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted October 15, 2009

Academically, this school does meet the standards for teaching your child. They absolutely fall short on teaching your child organizational skills and you may find yourself utterly shocked if they move on to a public high school. This school is not inexpensive and extras are all additional fees. As per an earlier review you, without question, must join the church to be included as a full member of the group. It is kind of an unspoken rule there.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 4, 2009

My child goes to Grace Lutheran School and just loves it! She's starting 6th grade.This her second year at the school.The teachers are friendly.It is a school you want to send your children to>
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 23, 2007

As a parent of 3 children who attended Grace Lutheran school, I could not have been happier with the education that my children received. Some of the teachers were absolutely stellar, and most were very good to excellent. I found the compassion and empathy for the student's wellbeing as good as the academics. The extra curricular activities were adequate, and I found the teachers to be as committed to their passions in these areas as in academics. The music program was especially good. I would recommend this school without reservation to anyone who is considering it for their children.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

We currently do not have any test score information for this school. Unlike public schools, private schools are not always required to report data about their schools or not required to take the same tests as public schools. Many private schools take different standardized tests; however, that information is often made available only to families of enrolled students. We strive to acquire additional private school data whenever available.

Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 69% 54%
Black 24% 19%
Hispanic 4% 20%
Asian/Pacific Islander 2% 4%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 13N/AN/A
Source: NCES, 2007-2008

Special education / special needs

Level of special education programming offered
  • Basic - the school offers or partners to provide services based on the needs of individual students
Extra learning resources offered
  • Differentiated learning programs

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)

School facilities
  • Computer lab
  • Science lab

Arts & music

School facilities
  • Music room
Music
  • Band
  • Bell / Handbell choir
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Instrumental music lessons
  • Orchestra
Performing and written arts
  • Drama
Clubs
  • Yearbook

Language learning

Foreign languages taught
  • German

Health & athletics

School facilities
  • Access to sports fields
  • Gym

Gifted & talented

Extra learning resources offered
  • Acceleration
School leaders can update this information here.

School basics

School start time
  • 8:25 am
School end time
  • 3:00 pm
Before school or after school care / program onsite
  • After school
School Leader's name
  • Bill Koehne
Best ways for parents to contact the school
  • Email
  • Phone
Age at which early childhood or Pre-K program begins
  • 3 years old
Gender
  • Coed
Boarding options
  • Day school
Is there an application process?
  • Yes
Affiliation
  • Lutheran
Associations
  • ELEA
Fax number
  • (708) 366-0966

Programs

Instructional and/or curriculum models used

Don't understand these terms?
  • Standards-based
Specific academic themes or areas of focus

Don't understand these terms?
  • Religious
Bi-lingual or language immersion programs offered

Don't understand these terms?
  • No
Level of special education programming offered
  • Basic - the school offers or partners to provide services based on the needs of individual students
Foreign languages taught
  • German
Level of ESL/ELL programming offered
  • None

Resources

Extra learning resources offered
  • Acceleration
  • Counseling
  • Differentiated learning programs
  • Remediation
Transportation provided for students by the school / district
  • Buses/vans for students only
School facilities
  • Access to sports fields
  • Chapel/spiritual reflection center
  • Computer lab
  • Gym
  • Internet access
  • Library
  • Music room
  • Playground
  • Science lab
Partnerships with local resources and organizations
School leaders can update this information here.

Sports

Boys sports
  • Basketball
  • Cross country
  • Track
  • Volleyball
Girls sports
  • Cross country
  • Track
  • Volleyball

Arts & music

Music
  • Band
  • Bell / Handbell choir
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Instrumental music lessons
  • Orchestra
Performing arts
  • Drama
Media arts
  • None

Student clubs

Clubs (distinct from courses)
  • Boy scouts
  • Chess club
  • Cub scouts
  • Girl scouts
  • Yearbook
School leaders can update this information here.

Photos

School culture

Dress Code
  • Dress code
Bullying policy
  • This school has a bullying and/or cyber bullying policy in place.
Parent involvement
  • Attend parent nights
  • Chaperone school trips
  • Coach sports teams or extracurricular activities
  • Join PTO/PTA
  • Organize cultural events
  • Organize fundraising events (school auction, bake sales, etc.)
  • Present special topics during curricular units
  • Serve on school improvement team or governance council
  • Volunteer in the classroom
  • Volunteer time after school
More from this school
  • Parents of Grace students are asked to pledge their financial support for the school. Financial support is discussed in the initial interview with the school principal.
School leaders can update this information here.

Apply

 

This school accepts applications on a

rolling basis

 
Apply now
 

Planning ahead

Students typically attend these schools after graduating
Oak Park River Forest High School
Catholic high schools in the area
Walther Lutheran High School
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

7300 Division St
River Forest, IL 60305
Website: Click here
Phone: (708) 366-6900

ADVERTISEMENT

Compare this school
to nearby schools

Compare schools »

Compare

Add this school to compare

Nearby schools

ADVERTISEMENT