Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions Related
1. Is there an entrance exam?
LWLHS does not require an entrance exam. A freshman placement test is given to determine math, English, and science class placement. Placement for transfer students is based on the transcript from the previous school.
2. Is financial aid available?
We are committed to making the LWLHS education and experience affordable for all families. We do provide financial assistance on a needs basis and can be applied for during the enrollment period.
3. Is LWLHS apart of the WPCP and MPCP Program?
Yes. LWLHS is a Wisconsin Parental Choice Program and Milwaukee Parents Choice Program School. If eligible, these vouchers cover full tuition.
4. I’m interested in attending Living Word Lutheran - where do I begin?
You first should contact Mr. John Winter, Director of Admissions. You can reach him via email at jwinter@lwlhs.com or phone at 272-677-9353. He can arrange a tour, or shadow day, and meet with your family. He can also discuss activities that students can be involved in at Living Word, and find answers for questions you may have.
5. When is new student orientation?
Freshman student and parent orientation and transfer student and parent orientation both occur in August. Please check the school calendar for specific dates.
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6. Can students attend part-time?
Yes. We do accept students as part-time and, if our schedule allows, can take core subject classes (math, science, etc) or elective courses (choir or band.)
General Questions
1. What transportation options are available? Can students drive?
We do run a bus (morning only) that picks up at the Park & Ride on Good Hope & Hwy 41/45 (11800 Good Hope Rd). It leaves at 7:10 each morning. In early August, we send an email to all students with the link to a spreadsheet for signing up to ride. We use the "Remind" app for texting last-minute information regarding weather or traffic conditions.
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If you live in the West Bend School District, there is a bus that picks students up in the morning at 7:00 AM at West Bend High School and drops off after school at Good Shepherd Lutheran School at 3:30 PM.
Students are able to drive to school. There is no fee for parking, but students must register their vehicle with the office.
We do offer a Driver’s Education Course during our Winterim term through A-Alert Driving School.
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Carpooling is also a great option for families. We have a Facebook group to help connect families.
2. What are school hours?
Regular School Days - Monday-Friday: 7:40 AM - 2:40 PM
During Winterim (first 3 weeks of January): 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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Summer Office Hours - Monday-Thursday: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
3. Do you have a dress code?
LWLHS does not require uniforms. Students are expected to dress in a manner that reflects the Christian environment of the school and as outlined in the student handbook dress code policy.
4. Do you have a device program?
Yes. All students are required to purchase their own device to bring to school every day. This device can be a Chromebook, laptop, or tablet with a keyboard. Click here for more information about LWLHS 1:1 Device Program.
5. Do I need to bring my own bag lunch every day to school?
You certainly may if you wish. However, LWLHS offers a hot lunch program Monday-Friday. We order out from various restaurants in the area like Arby's, Culver's, Taco Bell, Fireshouse Subs, Subway, and more for students to select on specific days. Here is a sample lunch order form.
Academic Questions
1. What is Winterim?
Each year, students will take a 3-week intensive course in January that meets everyday, so it is a full semester course fit into a 3-week timeframe, which equates to 0.5 credits towards graduation. These courses incorporate hands-on and experiential learning, inside and outside the classroom. To learn more about Winterim, click here.
2. Where do LWLHS Grads attend college?
LWLHS grads attend college across the country. To see a full list of where students have gone, click here.
3. My child excells academically. How will they be challenged in their course work?
LWLHS offers honors and AP classes for those students looking for a more rigorous coursework. Students can also earn dual credits (high school & college) by taking online courses through Concordia University Wisconsin and Grand Canyon University.
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Living Word Lutheran math teacher, Mr. Balsman, has been approved through the UW-Oshkosh CAPP program, to teach Precalculus and AP Calculus & AP Statistics for college credit. For each CAPP course, students are eligible to earn up to 5 college ccredits per course. The Cooperative Academic Partnership Program (CAPP) provides teachers the opportunity to develop professionally while delivering rigorous curriculum to students interested in earning concurrent high school and college credit.
4. My child struggles in some academic areas. Is there an accommodation plan available for my child?
LWLHS offers an accommodation plan for students with learning disabilities. We offer a Resource Study Hall for those students who need extra help on assignments, or need extra time on tests and quizzes. Tutoring is available from a variety of sources. For more information, please contact Kim Ehley, our academic/guidance counselor, at kehley@lwlhs.com.
5. My child is interested in the trades or joining the workforce after high school. Will my child be able to pursue those interests at Living Word?
Living Word is a member of the Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship program - Wisconsin’s statewide School-to-Work initiative. It is designed for high school students who want hands-on learning in an accumulation at a worksite, along with classroom instruction. This one-year or two-year elective program combines academic and technical instruction with mentored on-the-job learning.
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6. What is "Double A" (Academic Assistance) on Mondays?
In place of the Student Help Days done each quarter in past years, we now have an early release at 1:55 PM every Monday, with a new period called “Double A” for academic assistance from 2:00-3:00 PM.
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Every Monday, students with missing work or failing grades (and those who have been absent or need to catch up on course material for other reasons) will be required to meet with a specific teacher (or more than one teacher) during “Double A.” Students and parents will be notified if they are required to come in. All other students will have an early release, unless they choose to meet with an available teacher for extra help. Those who have practice after school or need to wait for a ride will go to the designated room for after-school study hall.
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Once a month, teachers will have professional development during “Double A.” On these Mondays, only students with failing grades will be required to stay from 2:00-3:00pm (in a supervised room with a teacher for extra help), and everyone else will have an early release. There will still be a designated room for those who need to stay for other reasons, such as after school practices.
Lutheran School Questions
1. What is the mission statement of LWLHS?
Living Word Lutheran High School provides a quality Christian education for lifelong leadership and service in God's kingdom.
2. Do you have to be a Christian to attend?
No. LWLHS is open to all applicants. LWLHS admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Living Word Lutheran High School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. However, LWLHS is a school that is “Christ-centered” in all that we do. We will help our students go in their faith and knowledge of their savior, Jesus Christ.
3. Do you have to be “Lutheran” to attend?
No. LWLHS is a school that falls under the umbrella of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, but is open to all applicants. Currently, our families attend church at: 50% Lutheran, 45% Other Christian, and 2% no church affiliation.
Being a member of a church within the LWLHS Federation does provide a tuition break.
4. What is “chapel?”
Chapel is the time that LWLHS sets aside to honor God. Students and staff gather on Tuesday and Friday mornings for a 30-minute devotional time. Students are often involved in leading chapels.
5. How will my student grow spiritually?
Spiritual opportunities abound as we have Christ as the center of everything that we do - from academics, athletics, music, Chapel, and everything in between. All students take theology classes which are designed to meet the needs of young men and women. Each course is taught from a Christian perspective and keeps Christ at the center of discussion. In addition, all students and staff attend chapel twice a week. Chapel services include a variety of worship forms. Chapel led by teachers, student groups, area pastors and youth leaders, and other special presenters. Finally, students are surrounded by solid Christian role models in their teachers, coaches, directors, and staff members.
Extracurricular Activities
1. What sports are offered at Living Word?
Fall Sports: Boys Soccer, Boys and Girls Cross Country, Girls Volleyball, Football
Winter Sports: Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Dance, Wrestling, Archery
Spring Sports: Baseball, Girls Soccer, Boys and Girls Golf, Softball, Boys and Girls Track & Field
2. What fine arts programs are offered at Living Word?
Music: A Cappella, Bella Voce (Woman’s Choir), Brother’s (Men’s Choir), Concert Band, BasiC (Praise Band), Chamber Ensemble, Jazz Band, Drumline
Drama: Fall Play, Spring Musical, Tech/Stage Crew, Pit Orchestra
Clubs: Forensics, Student Council, Spiritual Life Team, National Honors Society, DECA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Morning Bible Study
3. What and when is Service Day?
Each year during the spring, we take a day of school for our students to go out into the community and serve at local organizations, like the Humane Society, police/fire departments, elderly homes, and more. Service is a large aspect of how we develop our students into lifelong servant leaders.
However, service is not just assigned to one day throughout the year; it is something that is fully integrated into our school - from students volunteering their time to help at school events, to those initiating their own service projects.
Questions?
Contact John Winter, Director of Admissions, at jwinter@lwlhs.com or 262-677-9353. He would be happy to assist your family!
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