St. Paul - Austin School Closure
St. Paul - Austin School Closure
May 27, 2024
Dear St. Paul family,
Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am writing to you with a heavy heart
today. It is my sad duty to inform you of a difficult and significant decision that has been made by our
church congregation and administration. After extensive prayer, consideration, and consultation with
individuals considering all options, the decision has been made for St. Paul Lutheran School - Austin to
close its doors indefinitely at the end of this academic year. The final date of business for the school will be
June 28, 2024.
This was not an easy decision to make. St. Paul has been a beacon of light for Lutheran education in in the
Austin community. Over the years, countless students have been educated in the nurturing and loving
environment that is St. Paul - Austin. The love of Christ, passion for learning, and a commitment to serve
others have been instilled into our students. Yet, despite our commitment to our community,
insurmountable financial challenges and declining enrollments make it impossible for us to continue
operations.
We are very aware of the profound impact this closure will have on our students, their families, the faculty,
and our staff. Our main concern is to ensure that everyone feels supported during this transition. We are
committed to providing resources and assistance to our families to help them find new educational
opportunities that align with Christian values. We will also work with our faculty and staff as they also
make this transition. The Chicago Lutheran Education Foundation (CLEF) will assist any St. Paul – Austin
student with a scholarship to another Lutheran school of their choice. More information will follow shortly.
For many, St. Paul has been more than a school. We acknowledge the deep sense of loss this news brings to
our community. St. Paul has been a community of faith. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 8:28,
“And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called
according to his purpose.” God will guide us through this difficult time as we as believers know that He has
a plan for each of us.
On Wednesday, May 29, 2024, we will host a Zoom meeting and announce exit interview session sign up
information for parents to address their concerns and to provide guidance on the next steps for our staff and student community. The meeting will start at 6:00 pm. A link will be forwarded to you. Please see the body of the email below to learn how we will assist you and our students with this transition. Also, please feel free to contact me at 713-855-1287 with any questions, concerns, or for personal support.
We will continue to pray for one another and St. Paul – Austin. May God grant you peace, which surpasses
understanding. May He guard our hearts and our mind in Christ Jesus.
In His Service,
Dr. Patricia Jackson
Principal, St. Paul Lutheran School
Statement of Purpose
At St. Paul Lutheran School, we focus on nurturing the whole student. Our approach combines social-emotional learning, real-world experiences, life-changing curriculums, and community service opportunities. We're dedicated to developing each child's full potential in a caring, Christian environment.
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9
Average Class Size
51
Students Enrolled
22
Years Average Teacher's Experience
Empowering Success: A St. Paul student receives personalized guidance from a Concordia University mentor, showcasing our strong community partnerships that enrich and diversify our students' academic journey.
Our student's creativity as she uses art to express her understanding of science, technology, and energy. This project, inspired by her collaborative learning that connects classroom fundamentals to real-world applications.
Our students gather around Pastor Steve, delving into the Bible's teachings. These lessons are about building character, fostering community, & awareness through biblical principles.
Our top athletes are hard at work, strengthening their bodies and minds on and off the court.
Teachers work hard to find the intersections between content and art, helping students to see outside of the box and handle information with precision.
Our students continue to surpass their own goals!