Concordia Lutheran High School (Indiana)

Concordia Lutheran High School is a secondary school affiliated with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), serving grades 9 - 12 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States.

In 1916, the LCMS congregations in Fort Wayne started the Luther Institute, a two-year secondary school teaching basic office skills such as typing and shorthand, and also business law and Bible classes. Initially the school used facilities in those congregations.^[3] In 1920, the leaders of the Luther Institute suggested a merger with the high school department of Concordia College, but no agreement was reached, so in 1924-25 the institute erected a three-story building (demolished in 2006) at the corner of Barr and Washington.^[3]

Negotiations for the merger were successfully reopened in 1934. The resulting Lutheran High School opened in 1935, using two floors of Hanser Hall on the college campus after seven Lutheran churches in Fort Wayne raised $6,000 to renovate and equip the facility. From 1935 to 1947, the college controlled the academic aspects of the high school, while the Lutheran High School Association handled the financial aspects. The high school undertook steps to receive accreditation from the state of Indiana in 1938.^[4][5]

By 1947, increased enrollment had strained the 300-student capacity of the building, so the association constructed a new classroom building on 1.3 acres (0.53 ha) in the southeast corner of the college campus. The new building at Anthony Boulevard and Maumee Avenue opened in 1952. The high school continued to use the athletic and other facilities of the college. In 1955, the name of the school was officially changed to Concordia Lutheran High School.^[4][5]

In 1957, the LCMS decided to close Concordia College. The acreage allocated to the high school was increased to 4.86 acres (1.97 ha), and six additional classrooms were constructed that same year. The next year the remainder of the college campus was sold to Indiana Technical College.^[4]

That same year, 1958, a group of Lutheran businessmen took an option on 23 acres (9.3 ha) containing Zollner Stadium at North Anthony Boulevard and St. Joe River Drive. The next year the high school association purchased that property and an additional 8 acres (3.2 ha) on the west side of Anthony for construction of the current building. After $950,000 was raised in a pledge drive, ground was broken for the new facility, designed by architect James Sherbondy, in March 1963. Classes moved to the new campus in the fall of 1964.^[4] The old campus was sold to Indiana Technical College,^[5] which uses the former high school building as its Cunningham Business Center.^[6]

In 1973, a music wing, a chapel-auditorium, and additional classrooms were constructed. More land has also been added to the campus, including 7.55 acres (3.06 ha) along Crescent Avenue donated by Fred Zollner and the 4.5-acre (1.8 ha) “Our Creators Classroom” nature area north of the school, raising the size of the campus to 40 acres (16 ha). Zollner Stadium has also been rebuilt.^[3]

Concordia offers a college-preparatory curriculum with more than 35 Advanced Placement, Honors, and dual-credit courses through partnerships with local colleges and universities.^[7] The school has a graduation rate above 95% and nearly all graduates pursue higher education.

Concordia emphasizes a Christ-centered education, integrating faith into academics and daily life. Students participate in weekly chapel services, small-group devotions, and service projects.

Students at Concordia are involved in over 40 clubs and activities, including peer ministry, theater, choir, robotics, National Honor Society, and service organizations.^[8] The Koinonia program provides small-group mentoring for students across all grade levels, building community and leadership skills. The EPIC Mentor Program helps new students make the transition into high school easier. Each student is given free admission to every sport's home game to promote school spirit. CLHS has free tutoring after school Monday-Thursday until 4:30 pm.

The Concordia Lutheran Cadets compete in the Summit Athletic Conference. The school colors are maroon and white. Concordia offers the following Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) sanctioned sports:^[9]

Club sports include bowling (girls and boys), crew (girls and boys), and lacrosse (boys). Concordia is one of the only schools in Indiana to offer a crew team. They practice on the St. Joseph and St. Marys rivers and train on rowing machines.^[11]

The Concordia Lutheran High School Marching Cadets received first place at the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) Class C State Finals in 2013.^[12]

Concordia Lutheran High School is home to five total choirs: Women's Chorus (beginning choir for women), Men's Chorus (beginning choir for men), Bella Voce (intermediate choir for women), A Cappella (advanced choir for sophomore through senior men and women), and the Maroon Standard also known as the Chamber Choir (students auditioned out of the bigger A Capella Choir). A Cappella is the largest choir at Concordia and tours the country yearly. The Maroon Standard won the Jazz ISSMA State Finals win in 2022 and the A Cappella choir placed 3rd at the ISSMA Mixed Choir State Finals in 2023.

Concordia also has several instrumental programs, including the entry level concert band and the auditioned symphonic band,both of which go on tour each year. Jazz band and orchestra are also available.

The Drama Department performs five productions annually, including a musical and a children's theater production.^[13] Concordia is a member of the International Thespian Society, Troupe #4055. The group has competed and attended the Regional Thespian Conference.^[14] The CLHS 24-Hour Theater Festival takes place every February in which students start writing and producing original shows at 7pm on Friday and then showcase their original works on Saturday at 7pm in the high school auditorium.

Concordia's Junior ROTC program has been offered since the start of Concordia and is why the school's teams are called "The Cadets". More than 100 students are enrolled in the program. A number of JROTC students have attended service academies such as West Point, Annapolis, Air Force Academy and the Coast Guard Academy.^[15]

CLHS has had a number of teams make it to the finals of the JROTC Leadership & Academic Bowl in Washington D.C.

The VEX Robotics teams are two-time VEX JROTC Robotics Champions.^[16]

• Glenn Berggoetz - director, writer, and actor
• Dave Herman - professional MMA fighter^[17]
• Eugene E. Parker - NFL agent
• Zach Panning - Professional marathon runner
• Brian Reith - Major League Baseball (MLB) player

• List of high schools in Indiana

• Official website