First Lutheran School - Tuition and Financial Aid

A message from the Principal

First Lutheran School offers a great value for your tuition dollar

First Lutheran School has a history of providing superior education for less.

Cost to educate one student
Public schools of Tennessee: $7,794
Public schools of Knox County: $7,732
First Lutheran School: $5569

Now that’s real value, especially considering the priceless benefits of the Christian faith that we teach here at First.

By making the choice to allow First Lutheran to assist in the Christian education of your children, you are receiving a great value. Currently 100 percent of First Lutheran students receive some form of financial assistance from us.

Who makes up the difference? Currently First Lutheran Church provides 95 percent of the difference, with the other 5 percent coming from fundraising and special gifts. Members of First Lutheran Church recognize the vital importance of Christian education in the lives of children, and therefore support the work of the school as part of the church's overall mission program. We strongly believe that tuition is not simply a fee for educational instruction; it is an investment in your child’s future and his eternal life.

Let me share something told to me about a recent graduate. Kira Lelle graduated last year. Her high school math teacher said, “This is what a perfect quiz looks like!” as she held up Kira’s paper. Kira’s brothers Joe and Justin were also asked in high school which grade school they’d gone to, because they both had the strongest math skills the teacher had seen in the whole school.

This is just one of the many examples of the value that families and students receive through the ministry of First Lutheran School. We look forward to serving you this year and onward.

In His service,
Roger Tessendorf, Principal

An Investment in Your Child's Future
Members of First Lutheran Church recognize the vital importance of Christian education in the lives of children, and therefore support the work of the school as part of the church's overall mission program. The combined costs of salaries, supplies, books, materials, equipment, maintenance, insurance, and building costs is a considerable commitment made by the congregation to keep fees as low as possible, enabling more families to take advantage of the program.

We strongly believe that tuition is not simply a fee for educational instruction; it is an investment in your child’s future and his eternal life.

Download the complete schedule of fees.

2010-2011 Kindergarten through Eigth grade tuition
First child: $5,364
Each additional child: $4,386
Registration fee: $150 per student
Application fee: $50

Additional Expenses
Before- and after-school care: $2 per 30 minutes
Lunch: $2.75 per meal/$55 per month

2010-2011 Early Childhood Education (ECE) tuition
Five full days: $5,650
Three full days: $3,850
Two full days: $2,750
Five half days: $350 per month
Three half days: $225 per month
Two half days: $160 per month
Registration fee: $150 per student
Application fee: $50

All ECE programs include before- and after-school care, lunch, and snacks on days of attendance. The five full day program includes school care for days school is closed but the day care is open.

Special situations in which children are in need of occasional use of the ECE program on a day that child has not registered may be allowed by prior arrangement with the ECE director. Additional fees will be charged for this service.

Financial Aid
Because First Lutheran Church and School recognizes the importance of Christian education, we make every effort to accommodate families from varying economic backgrounds by subsidizing a part of the student's tuition when a financial need is demonstrated. Families who seek financial aid must complete the application process, which includes an application with CFA, our third-party verifier of financial need. This application has a fee of $30, paid directly to CFA. The application is for tuition only – all other fees must be kept current.

Download the financial aid application (PDF)

Once the financial aid application is complete, the award committee, consisting of the principal, pastors, and chairman of the Board of Christian Day school, make the decision on whether the application is approved and the amount of the award. All information is kept strictly confidential at all stages of application and enrollment.

Requirements for students receiving financial aid include:

Students must evidence a minimum 75% church attendance.
Students must demonstrate academic effort, including turning in homework on time and make their best efforts in class.
Students must not be a disciplinary problem as demonstrated by keeping the demerit count under 10 each year.

If the requirements are not met, the student may forfeit the financial aid, but could stay at school at full cost.

Your church may offer some financial support for their members. Please talk to the principal or your pastor for more information.