History of the School
"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6
Proverbs 22:6
After the first mission pastor arrived in 1915, a Christian Day School was started. Eight pupils attended classes taught by the pastor in a room built on the west side of the church, at 8th and High Street.
Under the stress of World War I, the school was forced to close in the fall of 1919, and a Sunday School was organized. After World War I, St. Paul's followed the command spoken to Peter in John 21:15, "Feed My Lambs", and a Christian Day School was re-established in the fall of 1921.
In September 1921, school started once again with 19 pupils in the side room on the west side of the church. The teacher's salary was subsidized by the Nebraska District of Synod.
Under the stress of World War I, the school was forced to close in the fall of 1919, and a Sunday School was organized. After World War I, St. Paul's followed the command spoken to Peter in John 21:15, "Feed My Lambs", and a Christian Day School was re-established in the fall of 1921.
In September 1921, school started once again with 19 pupils in the side room on the west side of the church. The teacher's salary was subsidized by the Nebraska District of Synod.
First School was held in small room on left side of Church
School built in 1925 at 11th and High
The school flourished so that additional room was soon needed. With the help of the Church Extension Fund, a new brick school was erected at the corner of 11th and High Street in 1925 with 42 pupils in attendance. This building could accommodate about 80 pupils. As the school continued to grow, a second teacher was hired in 1927.
By now a two room, two teacher school was well established at St. Paul's. It also served as a missionary agency for the community. In 1932 sixty children were enrolled, of whom quite a percentage were of non-Lutheran parentage, purely mission material. Year after year, the two rooms seemed to burst at their seams with children. Here they were learning God's Word as well as all the secular subjects.
The 1930s, brought the depression, and the congregation struggled to collect monies for salaries of a pastor and two teachers. Salaries were cut, yet there were times when there was no money to pay them. In 1934, one teacher's salary was $45 per month for nine months.
After a short while the Lord's blessings were again felt in that enrollment had grown to such an extent that remodeling was necessary. A small storage room was now used as a third classroom. A third teacher was added. The three teachers were now working under difficult and crowed conditions.
By now a two room, two teacher school was well established at St. Paul's. It also served as a missionary agency for the community. In 1932 sixty children were enrolled, of whom quite a percentage were of non-Lutheran parentage, purely mission material. Year after year, the two rooms seemed to burst at their seams with children. Here they were learning God's Word as well as all the secular subjects.
The 1930s, brought the depression, and the congregation struggled to collect monies for salaries of a pastor and two teachers. Salaries were cut, yet there were times when there was no money to pay them. In 1934, one teacher's salary was $45 per month for nine months.
After a short while the Lord's blessings were again felt in that enrollment had grown to such an extent that remodeling was necessary. A small storage room was now used as a third classroom. A third teacher was added. The three teachers were now working under difficult and crowed conditions.
East School, part of the Beatrice Public School, was now vacant and in 1956, the congregation purchased this school at 1418 High Street. The enrollment at that time was 105 students. School was held in this building until the spring of 1971.
School building at 14th and High
School at 930 Prairie Lane
The seventh and eighth grade classes were dropped from the program in 1971, and Kindergarten through 6" grade started fall classes in 1971, at St. Paul's spacious new Educational Center located at 930 Prairie Lane in Beatrice. The cornerstone for the school was laid in 1970. The education center was dedicated August 29, 1971.
From 1977 to 1984, new programs were introduced. Pre-Kindergarten classes were started at St. Paul's school in 1978, with 11 students. Hot lunches were offered, Instrumental music was taught. Special reading and speech teachers came several times a week to give specialized instruction to individual pupils. TV became a teaching tool.
After the 1989-90 school year, the city of Beatrice moved to having a Middle School for grades 6-8 instead of a Junior High for grades 7-9. The High School was now 9–12 grades. St. Paul's continued to include 6" grade until 1993, when it was dropped from the program.
From 1977 to 1984, new programs were introduced. Pre-Kindergarten classes were started at St. Paul's school in 1978, with 11 students. Hot lunches were offered, Instrumental music was taught. Special reading and speech teachers came several times a week to give specialized instruction to individual pupils. TV became a teaching tool.
After the 1989-90 school year, the city of Beatrice moved to having a Middle School for grades 6-8 instead of a Junior High for grades 7-9. The High School was now 9–12 grades. St. Paul's continued to include 6" grade until 1993, when it was dropped from the program.
Throughout the years, school officials recognized the need for additional space to house larger enrollments coming up through the school. Prior to 1992, the school had not charged tuition to church members, but with the addition of the Early Childhood Center, church members would begin to pay about 20 percent of tuition paid by non-church members. The funds from tuition would help with the expense of an additional teacher, that was now needed. The Early Childhood Center also allowed the school to go from multiple grades per classroom to one grade per classroom.
Early Childhood Center
Lunchroom addition
Hot lunches were brought in from the Beatrice Public Schools. Lunch was eaten at the student's desk in their classroom. In 2000, school officials decided to build a lunchroom extension from the current kitchen. Today, students are able to leave their classrooms and eat lunch with other students at the school.
In 2002, St. Paul's Lutheran School decided to spread its wings with an expansion that would give students a little more elbow room. The addition of four classrooms, a technology room and handicap accessible restrooms were added to the south end of the school. Groundbreaking took place August 25, 2004, and classes began in the Spring of 2005 in the new addition.
Classroom addition
Outdoor classroom
In the spring of 2015, St. Paul's Lutheran School decided to spread its wings again with the addition of an outdoor classroom. It started with planting the gardens and grant writing by a few people. Several grants were applied for and received. With a huge team effort of the whole staff from watering plants, writing grants, getting equipment, etc., it officially became the Nature Explore Classroom in 2019.
The Nature Explore classrooms provide a place for children to learn and grow outdoors and to connect with nature in a fun and engaging way. It adds learning and exploration to every recess.
The Nature Explore classrooms provide a place for children to learn and grow outdoors and to connect with nature in a fun and engaging way. It adds learning and exploration to every recess.
Remodeled gymnasium
Since the school was built in 1971, the gymnasium has gotten a lot of use. It has been used by the students at the school and child care center, community groups, and members of St. Paul's. The floor especially started to show much wear and tear, along with sinking in one corner. After much discussion and raising of funds, in May 2023, the Extreme Makeover Gym Remodel began. It was completed in August 2023, with a new floor, bleachers, and newly painted walls.
Today the school has a staff of one principal, seven full time teachers, three paras, and an enrollment of 136 students. Truly the Lord has blessed the efforts of the pioneers of our school and all faithful workers who since have labored therein.
