Not only does it appear that a South Side, private school that was nearly shuttered–at least twice–will remain open, but it will do so under a new name.
Not only does it appear that a South Side, private school that was nearly shuttered–at least twice–will remain open, but it will do so under a new name.
The New Luther South Math, Science & Performing Arts High School and middle school, 3100 W. 87th St., formerly Luther South High School, is expected to open Sept. 8 despite being $2.3 million in debt, said the Rev. Paul Anderson, the school’s executive director and chair of its 13-member board.
For at least the last two school years, the school threatened to close its doors for good in the wake of rising debt. The school remained opened after the 2007-2008 school year, after alumni and other donors raised enough money to keep the doors open one more year.
Last school year it faced certain death again.
Now though a budget proposal was presented to the school’s lender, St. Louis-based Lutheran Church Extension Fund, and Anderson said he should know within two weeks if the proposal will be accepted to allow the school to remain open.
“I am 90 percent sure Luther South will open as scheduled this year,” Anderson told the Defender. “Our lender was very pleased with the proposal and now it’s just a matter of formality to seal the deal.”
According to Anderson, the proposal calls for the school to maintain a student enrollment of at least 100 and to increase its enrollment each year it remains open. The co-ed school, which offers seventh and eighth grade, as well as high school levels, currently has 138 students and annual tuition will remain at $7,000. And annual tuition at its middle school is $3,800.
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