School History
The concept of Dallas Lutheran School in Dallas took root in the hearts of several Lutheran lay people in the early 1970's. A non-profit corporation was formed in 1974 and classes began with grades 7 and 8 in 1976.
Serious discussion of a Lutheran high school in the Dallas area began in 1973 when the Voter's Assembly of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church charged a special committee with the assignment of a feasibility study. The committee invited the participation of representatives from other congregations. Two additional congregations operating Lutheran elementary schools in Dallas (Zion and Holy Cross) became involved. The committee sought the advice of representatives of the Lutheran School office in St. Louis. Lutheran high school principals were brought in for consultation.
Various studies and surveys were conducted by the committee and other interested individuals. The results indicated a strong interest in Lutheran secondary education even though financing was questionable. An association was formed in 1974 and individual members were solicited.
An attempt was made to open the school in l975, but various roadblocks prevented that action. An additional year of study resulted in the calling of a principal and the securing of a site in which to conduct classes. The school, then named Lutheran High School of Dallas, opened its doors to 50 students in grades 7 and 8 in August 1976. Our first years were in rented facilities at Royal Lutheran Church and Churchill Way Presbyterian Church.
After six years of using rented facilities, the Lord blessed the school with it's own home. In October of 1982 classes were conducted in the first classroom facilities on Stults Road. The first gymnasium was added in 1987. Since that time, the Lord has blessed the school with a growing enrollment and further facilities. Our school added a new school wing including art and computer laboratories in 1996. The Carlson Memorial Life Science Laboratory, the brick facade, and the Alumni entrance were all completed during 1997. Our school added the Brunworth Gymnasium in 2002, and the addition of Klekamp Hall and new locker rooms were completed in the fall of 2006.
In the Spring of 2006 the Board of Directors officially renamed "Lutheran High School of Dallas" as "Dallas Lutheran School." This new name reflects our 7th-12th grade curriculum and additional changes within the school.
The Lord has greatly blessed our efforts here at Dallas Lutheran School. We rejoice in the priviledge to be a part of the lives of our past, current, and future families.
In our first twenty-three years of operation, the mission of the school has been communicated, the program established within the Dallas community and in the process, over two thousand students and families have been served. This school has placed a priority on the people involved in this important ministry with teenagers. Faculty and staff members are the school's greatest assets. They are the strength of our program. Facilities have been established and improved over the years and growth will continue to be a focus, but the facilities are only able to support the work of a competent, caring staff.
The school's Board of Directors, administration and faculty established a Master Facilities Plan in 1995 to serve approximately 400 student in grades 7-12 on the original campus.
Phase II of this plan calls for the construction of a second gymnasium facility to double the floor space for physical education classes and athletic activities while providing additional space for music and drama productions, temporary lunch facilities, space for large group activities (educational, worship, social), and support facilities such as lavatories, refreshment area, storage, etc.