A School Where You Belong
St. Paul’s Lutheran School is fully accredited by the State of Iowa Department of Education, offering preschool, traditional kindergarten and foundational kindergarten through grade 6 in a unique faith-filled environment. The school has a long-standing tradition of academic success and consistently high test scores. Devoted faculty, along with strong involvement from family members and the congregation, help make St. Paul’s a warm, welcoming place that draws students from across a 30-mile area.
No Cost Out of Pocket
In 2023, Educational Savings Accounts (ESA) became available to eligible students attending private schools. Upon opening an ESA, annually, the Iowa Department of Education deposits funding into each eligible child’s ESA. These ESA funds will cover ALL the 2025-26 tuition and fees at St. Paul's for ALL K-6th graders. Any ESA funding that remains unused will roll over and can accumulate from year to year. This amount can be augmented by applying for Our Faith STO scholarships. Preschool parents have access to tuition support with a Together for Families scholarship granted by Child Care Resource & Referral of NE Iowa and scholarship funding through St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. These opportunities provide all families the affordability to send their children to St. Paul’s.
2024-25 St. Paul’s School student body and staff.
90%
Staff with additional endorsements or advanced degrees beyond their Iowa Educator License
250
Total Student Enrollment Preschool-6 (2024)
18:1
Student-to-Teacher Ratio in Grades 3-6
8.5:1
Student-to-Teacher Ratio in Preschool-Grade 2
21
Local Communities of Faith Represented by Students and Staff
$2.93M
Renovations to modernize learning spaces to be completed in 2025 with funding from the Pay It Forward Campaign.
Get Involved!
The partnership between the school and the home lays the foundation upon which we build our students for life.
St. Paul’s Lutheran School’s Parent Teacher Organization’s (PTO) purpose is to embrace this partnership and connect families to each other and the school.
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PTO raises money to provide updated playground equipment, classroom supplies, specific items for specials, new student and family resources, etc.
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PTO provides a number of opportunities for students each year to expand learning from Scholastic book fairs to school supply fundraisers.
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PTO sponsors a teacher appreciation week, teacher meals for conferences, holiday gifts, classroom supplies, and other things needed to support the teaching staff.
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PTO offers events on a rotating schedule for families to enjoy such as the winter carnival and the talent show which happen alternating years. Plus, yearly events such as the Chuck-E-Cheese night.
Helping teachers help students!
Join the PTO today! Email pto@stpaulswaverly.org to get started.
School FAQs
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Education has been valued at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School from its very beginning. The congregation was organized in 1872, and the school was established shortly afterward! In 1964, the present school building was built, and improvements continue to this day.
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More than 21 local church denominations are represented among the students, staff, and teachers at St. Paul’s. All faith backgrounds are welcome.
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St. Paul’s draws students from across a 30-mile area.
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St. Paul’s Lutheran School is accredited by the Iowa Department of Education. All teachers are certified by the Department of Education and hold a bachelor’s degree in Elementary or Early Childhood Education. 90% of teachers and staff hold additional endorsements or a master’s degree or higher. Our teachers are seasoned professionals with an average tenure of 15 years.
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St. Paul’s teachers provide learning opportunities in art, music, choir, computer skills, library, physical education, band and orchestra lessons, religion, and Spanish.
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Yes, teachers coordinate with the Central Rivers AEA and have staff on-hand to provide services for children with Individualized Education Programs and to provide instruction in specialized reading and ELP (Extended Learning Programs).
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Iowa’s Education Savings Account Program is an education savings account (ESA) that allows parents to receive the per-pupil state funding set aside for their children’s education into an electronic, parent-controlled fund for educational expenses. This amount fully covers the tuition and fees at St. Paul’s for students grades K-6.
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Many events during the school year bring St. Paul’s families together. Parents are always invited to participate in our weekly school worship, to school-wide picnics, and to special events such as the Talent Show, Fall Carnival, and Spring Social.
The PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) at St. Paul’s is exceptionally strong. It’s a fantastic way to network with other parents and staff invested in quality Christian education. Welcoming new students and families, appreciating teachers and staff, and hosting events are just a few ways they support the school. Contact pto@stpaulswaverly.org to get started.
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Besides giving toward the School’s operating budget, there are two major efforts in fundraising: Faith Forever Endowment Fund & the Fill the Bus Fundraiser. The Endowment Fund is administered by a St. Paul’s congregational committee. The Fill the Bus Fundraiser is part of the Capstone Program to make sure all 6th-grade students an participate in the annual Washington D.C. trip. Donations are tax-deductible.