Hope Lutheran FAQ

What is Hope Lutheran School’s mission statement?

Hope Lutheran School is committed to providing quality academic instruction, equipping students for lifelong learning, recognizing each child’s unique abilities, and nurturing each child in body, mind, and spirit in a community that shares and lives the Christian faith.

What are your hours of operation?

The school office opens at 8:00 a.m. We operate a staggered start; parents may drop off their K-grade 3 students beginning at 8:05 to 8:20 a.m. Grades 4 through 8 may be dropped off beginning at 8:15 a.m. and must be in their seats by 8:30 a.m. Dismissal is either at 2:50 or 3:00 p.m. Our morning part-time preschool program begin at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 11:45 a.m. The full-time program begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m. The office remains open until 4:00 p.m. Before-school care is available from 7:30 a.m. to 8:05 a.m. and after-school care is available from 2:50 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. for ages 5 through 12.

Can I tour the school?

Yes! You may visit our Schedule a Tour page to schedule a visit of our campus every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. or by appointment. Call our office at 206-935-8500 to make an appointment.

What grade levels are offered at Hope?

We offer a preschool program for students ages 3 and 4, kindergarten, transitional kindergarten, lower elementary (grades 1 through 5), and middle school (grades 6 through 8).

Is your school affiliated with a religious organization?

We are affiliated with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. Our student body is approximately 30% Lutheran, with remaining students coming from a variety of backgrounds including Catholic, Jewish, Methodist, and Presbyterian faiths, as well as no home church. Students at Hope come from a wide range of ethnicities and religious beliefs, and we foster an environment of cultural sensitivity and mutual respect.

What are the steps in the admissions process?

We invite prospective families to visit our campus during an Open House event, group or personal tour, or a school event. Please see the Steps to Apply page for specific steps in completing the application process. Students may visit the school for a half day, and we typically schedule these on Tuesdays.

Does Hope School require entrance testing?

Yes. Students entering Hope Lutheran School from kindergarten through eighth grade must complete an assessment through the MAP testing protocol. If a student has recent MAP testing scores, the assessment may be waived. Previous report cards or testing scores may also be submitted for evaluation with the application.

Can a student enroll during the school year?

Students may enroll during the first half of the year. However, sometimes there are special circumstances that may require admittance as late as third quarter. These circumstances must be discussed with and approved by the principal.

Do you offer financial assistance?

Yes, tuition assistance funds are available to help families with financial need. Tuition assistance grants are awarded based on availability of funds and on recommendation from the National Association of Independent School (NAIS), our tuition management firm, which processes applications and determines qualifying need via application. Applications must be submitted to NAIS for each school year as grants are not renewed automatically. Applications must be submitted to NAIS no later than April 30th to be assured consideration for the coming school year. Applicant information is kept strictly confidential.

Processing is completed online with NAIS at: www.sss.nais.org/parents. Parents may apply for tuition assistance through NAIS after they have finished the application process for Hope Lutheran School and their child has been accepted for admission. Visit our Tuition Assistance page for more information on applying for financial aid.

What accreditation do Hope teachers have?

Our teachers are certified and most hold master’s degrees in education. We have an extensive hiring process that includes multiple interviews that helps us identify teachers who are not only highly qualified but possess a love of children and education.

Is homework required for students?

Guided reading is recommended by our staff each night to be completed by the student or with a parent. On average, students can anticipate 10 minutes of homework with each grade level completed. There is no required homework for preschool students.

What is the student-to-teacher ratio?

Our maximum preschool and TK classes size is 16, and the student-to-teacher ratio is 8:1, with one teacher and one assistant per class. The average class size of our K-8 classes is 18, and the student-to-teacher ratio for our K-8 classes is 18:1. Kindergarten has a morning aid.

Are students required to wear uniforms?

Yes. All K-8 students are required to wear uniforms. For more information on uniforms, click here.

Is before-and-after school care available?

Yes. Before-school care is available from 7:30 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. and after-school care is available from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. For more information on our extended school care program, click here.