Education in a Christ-Centered Community

Lutheran West is a private 6th-12th grade school known for academic excellence and community focus. With a commitment to Christian values, Lutheran West offers a supportive environment in which students can grow and thrive academically, creatively, athletically, spiritually, and socially.

Go for the Faith and Community

Lutheran West prepares and equips students to excel in service, leadership, and learning while living as disciples who are rooted and grounded in the love of Christ.

Fulfilling our mission means that we are dedicated to encouraging students to explore their God-given gifts and interests: academically, athletically, creatively, socially, and spiritually. 

FORWARD IN FAITH

students praying in gym

Lutheran West In Numbers

679 

Students

86

Faculty & Staff Members

100+ 

Course Offerings

75

Year History

Joel Bahr staff photo

Lutheran West is more than a school. It’s a place where students grow, explore, and develop. It’s an encouraging community rooted in Christian values.”

Joel Bahr
Head of Schools, Lutheran West

Cleveland’s First Lutheran High School

Cleveland’s first Lutheran high school, located downtown near Cleveland State University, was founded in 1948. Due to eminent domain, the school was one of many buildings torn down in the summer of 1958 to make way for construction of the I-90 Innerbelt.

May: 16 Lutheran congregations formally meet to establish an association and resolve to establish a Lutheran high school in Cleveland. 1946
November: The Association elects its first board of directors. 1946
September 7: 48 students from 19 congregations enter Lutheran High School, located at 2648 Prospect Avenue in Cleveland. 1948
Spring: The first class graduates from Lutheran High School. 1952
The Innerbelt Freeway is proposed, resulting in the State of Ohio’s exercise of Emminent Domain on the High School’s downtown property. 1956
Lutheran High School West opens its doors in Rocky River 1958
The association hires its first director of development, seeking to build financial support through bequests and other giving. 1965
An addition to Lutheran West is constructed, adding new music rooms and a library. 1971
The Cleveland Lutheran Education Endowment Fund (CLEEF) is established. 1985
A fine arts wing, featuring the Jochum Room, is added to Lutheran West’s building. 1988
Lutheran West begins its “Vision Alive” capital campaign, providing funding for a science and art wing, a physical education wing, and a second gym. 2001
Lutheran West’s “Unleash the Spirit” capital campaign is launched. 2012
The Senney Honors Academy is established at Lutheran West. 2013
students in caps and gowns at graduation

A Strong Alumni Network

The over 6,000 alumni that have graduated from Lutheran West have gone on to do great things in their professions and in their communities. Our alumni are a diverse group of men and women who have followed a wide variety of paths in their lives, but one thing is common amongst them: they will attribute part of their successes to their time at Lutheran West. And what’s more, Lutheran West graduates help one another, forming a truly invaluable network when it comes to career opportunities, personal relationships, and continued faith-based support in each other’s lives.