Frequently Asked Questions about Zion Lutheran School

Isn't Zion a private school that allows only Lutherans to enroll?

Zion's school was established in 1983 and since its inception it has enrolled students from other Lutheran churches, local Catholic churches, and families who do not have a church home. Zion welcomes all families to enroll their children and learn what we teach.

I depend on busing to transport my students; is this provided to Zion students?

Nearly one-third of the students at Zion ride the bus on a daily basis. Chesaning public schools provide this service to all children in the district. Students ride the bus to the public school, and then complete their ride on a bus shuttle to Zion. Families who live outside the Chesaning school district can bring their children to the border of the district and have a bus transport them to Zion.

If, after taking the Bible Information Class, I became a member how would that affect the cost of tuition?

Since members at Zion often give a percentage of their income in church offerings, and thus support the school financially, we offer a discounted tuition rate. The members at Zion want to encourage families to use the school and therefore pay over 90% of the actual cost per student leaving a family with two students with a monthly tuition payment that is less than $60/month!

What would tuition cost our family if we are not members of a Lutheran church?

Zion Lutheran School is supported by the members of Zion Lutheran Church in Chesaning, and because of that support our tuition is less than the actual operating costs. Since the members of the church want to encourage all families to attend Zion, they pay over 60% of the tuition for each student regardless of the student’s church membership; lowering the costs per student to roughly $200/month per student. Zion asks that parents learn what we teach students in Religion classes during a Bible Information Course. For a far more detailed outline of tuition and fees, please reference our Education Fees Worksheet.

What technology does Zion incorporate into their lessons?

Students in grades 1-8 have classrooms with interactive whiteboards, and students in grades 5-8 use a personal laptop on a daily basis. They create documents and presentations on Google Docs for journal, Music, or Social Studies. An ELMO document camera allows for students in grades 5-8 to read devotions and excerpts from books clearly off of the projector. Zion has modern equipment and technology instruction which teach students skills for an increasingly digital world.

Does Zion offer sports, and if so, at what age may students participate?

Zion offers several extracurricular opportunities for children in grades 4 through 8 such as Soccer, Cross Country, basketball, and volleyball. Track is offered to students in grades K-8 at the end of May. Other K-8 extracurricular activities include Pioneers and a musical held in spring.

What is the average class size at Zion?

Over the past 5 years, Zion has maintained an enrollment of roughly 3 students per grade. With small classes we have been able to combine several grades into a classroom and therefore we teach grades 1-4 together as well as grades 5-8 together. Our student to teacher ratio is less than 15:1 and we believe that a multi-grade classroom allows for students to gain a confident report with their teacher as well as learn at a more specified pace.

What qualifications does the faculty at Zion hold?

All of Zion's teachers hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education, and are encouraged to take summer online courses in addition to the workshops that are attended in spring and fall at teachers' conferences.
 

What is the next step in becoming part of the Zion family?

New families often use our annual Soccer Camp, held the first week of August, as a way to see the campus, meet the teachers, and learn more about Zion Lutheran School. Please feel free to call Zion Lutheran School to speak with a teacher or Pastor if you have questions, and see what is going on at Zion by Liking us on Facebook at “facebook.com/ZionChesaning”