Building Expansion Grand Opening Event Sees 500+ Guests

Lutheran West welcomed over 500 guests, many of whom were seeing the new spaces for the very first time. to its Building Expansion Grand Opening held on August 4, 2024.

Written by Marc Cebrian, Communications – ThenDesign Architecture
Photos and Video by Ryan Caswell – ThenDesign Architecture
Additional Photos by Jessica Miller – CLHSA

Lutheran West’s Building Expansion Grand Opening was a celebration of faith filled with hope for a brighter future. Over 500 guests attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and self-guided tours of the new 6-12 grade campus addition. Standing beside the brand-new main entrance, distinguished guests gave opening remarks that welcomed members of the Lutheran West community and revealed the modernized educational spaces that encourage growth and advanced learning opportunities.

To develop a holistic academic campus at the Lutheran West facility in Rocky River, the district embarked on an ambitious capital improvement campaign called Forward in Faith to create a facility that enhances the school’s educational offerings. The goal was to build a connected addition to their existing 9-12 school to incorporate grades 6-8 by reorganizing internal spaces and expanding their programming for all students. Featuring an inviting primary entrance, the new two-story, 36,000+ square-foot addition now provides academic, collaborative, and specialized spaces for advanced learning opportunities.

Lutheran West celebrated its Building Expansion Grand Opening on August 4, 2024, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, self-guided tours, and activity stations. Over 500 attendees enjoyed traversing the extended Lutheran West campus, greeted with warm smiles and maps by staff and student volunteers. Families touring the new spaces were invited to extract DNA from strawberries, make audio recordings for playback in the music room, play a fruit keyboard, observe 3D printing in progress, contribute to the prayer mosaic, and test out the state-of-the-art technology in the new video production studio.

The activities were designed to highlight experiences, experiments, and activities that are available to Lutheran West students through the expanded ‘Centers of Excellence’ programming being made possible through Forward in Faith.

As part of the opening comments before the ribbon cutting, Head of School/Principal Joel Bahr welcomed guests, saying, “Lutheran West now prepares and equips students to excel in service, leadership, and learning while our students are living as disciples who are rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. It’s my prayer that you see that this morning as you enter the building. Welcome to Lutheran West.”

“Without your support, this would not have happened. Thank you to all of our donors, not only for your commitment throughout the years but also for what you’ve done here.”

Chris Keller ’91, Chairman of the Lutheran West Operating Board

“Centers of Excellence” are areas of programmatic expansion brought to life through the Forward in Faith capital campaign. By deepening the student experience, Lutheran West educates and prepares the next generation of Christian thought leaders in growing career fields.

The Lutheran West addition blends the existing structure and new building through a joined courtyard that includes an outdoor classroom, activated by a learning canopy with overhead heating units and outdoor furniture. The campus expansion includes the multi-purpose Longhorn Room, an open student commons, the Richard W. Linn Biology Lab, the expansive John Katt Music Room, and STEM classrooms for science, 3D printing, and robotics courses. The state-of-the-art video and editing studio also utilizes a full-wall green screen for real-time graphics compositing.

“This fall, more than 700 students will receive a fantastic education from the dedicated faculty and staff in top-notch facilities here at Lutheran West.”

Joel S. Bahr, Head of school / principal

With construction performed by The Krill Co., the school expansion relocates the Cleveland Lutheran High School Association offices into the a new space and introduces additional collaborative areas for students and faculty. Accessibility was greatly improved by incorporating an elevator to the second floor. Having all educational resources for students in grades 6-12 secured under one roof completes Lutheran West’s “campus” atmosphere, leaving the door open for future growth opportunities for the building and students.

Rev. Dr. David Buegler provided a blessing for the 36,000+ square feet of new academic and extracurricular spaces, saying “May the special space designed for expanding our ministry to the middle school be a testimony that we not only cherish our past, but we seek new ministry for the future.”

“We developed a vision, and the vision has been realized today. We’ve expanded the building. We’ve expanded our academics. And we have the best school on the west side of Cleveland. We have faculty and staff committed to helping children grow academically through extracurriculars and learning about the opportunity to get to know Jesus Christ.”

greg steinberg ’91, chairman of the clhsa board of directors

Ashley Koza, Director of Development for the CLHSA, remarks that the fundraising campaign will be continued even though the new construction is complete. She adds, “The physical expansion is nearing completion, but the campaign will be ongoing. We’ll continue to raise funds to support the expansion of student programming and opportunities through Centers of Excellence.”

Those interested in learning more about Centers of Excellence, the ongoing fundraising efforts, and how the Lutheran West community can continue to support them can contact Mr. Joe Gray, Assistant Superintendent, at [email protected].

View the video overview of the event created by architecture firm on the project, ThenDesign Architecture, as well as a photo gallery of the day’s festivities below.

Event Photos

Photos by Ryan Caswell (TDA) and Jessica Miller (CLHSA)