OUR SCHOOLS • LUTHERAN HIGH
Small, often overlooked school has record of success

By James Gonser
Advertiser Staff Writer

Lutheran High School is on University Avenue right next to the busy 'ewa-bound H-1 Freeway onramp, but many people notice the tiny campus only when they see the enthusiastic students who frequently wave signs in front trying to entice drivers in for a car wash.

Lutheran High School religion instructor David Willweber helps students in his ninth-grade Christian Life class. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

"We think it is important that our students learn to do physical work," Gundell said. "The motivation and aptitude to do that kind of thing is a strength they need to have and build."

Lutheran High is a small private school, with just 140 students on a one-acre campus. There is no cafeteria — most students bring bag lunches — and no gymnasium, yet 60 percent of the students play on athletic teams. Despite these limitations, in the past five graduating classes, every single student has gone on to attend college.

Gundell said that success record is not because the school will accept only the best students, but because of the quality teachers and learning environment and a student-to-teacher ratio of 18 to one.

"We don't want to be an elitist school that takes the students of only a high level of ability," Gundell said. "We want to serve students of all ability levels."

Lutheran High is open to anyone, but most of the students come from the four Lutheran elementary schools located on O'ahu, in 'Ewa Beach, 'Aiea, Kane'ohe and Wahiawa, and commute to the school.

"Our Christian mission fits us into a different niche from other private schools," Gundell said. "We fit in a slot where we are serving families that may not meet the entrance requirements to an elite school or they are wanting a smaller school environment for their child."

The school administration has been looking for a new campus site for about three years, Gundell said, and the passage of the constitutional amendment in the general election that allows private schools to take out low-interest loans through government bonds could help make that dream come true.

"We have been very actively looking for a new location and would like to build a new campus somewhere," he said. "Wherever we can find and afford the space, a minimum of five acres if townside."

• What are you most proud of? "We are proud of our strong academic program and the Christian setting we have," Gundell said. "On average our teachers have been here 18 or 19 years. They are very experienced and highly educated and very good at what they do."

• Best-kept secret: "A lot of people look at the big schools and the facilities they have, then look at us and don't see much on the surface. So I think the best-kept secret is the program we have."

• Everybody at our school knows: Science teacher Frank Lutz, who is known for making his subjects come alive for students.

• Our biggest challenge: Finding a new campus. "We don't have a definite spot or means of affording it right now," Gundell said.

• Projects: For Make a Difference Day last month, 100 homeless people were bused in, fed and given personal items paid for by student donations.

• Special events: The annual Christmas program Dec. 13 at Calvary-By-The-Sea Lutheran Church will include performances by the school's drama team, choir, band and the Spanish club.

To get your school profiled, contact education editor Dan Woods at 525-5441 or dwoods@honoluluadvertiser.com.