A School Where You Belong
St. Paul’s Lutheran School is fully accredited by the State of Iowa Department of Education, offering preschool, foundational and core 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.
Affordable for All
How does the Iowa Educational Savings Account (ESA) work? Beginning in 2025, every K-6 student in Iowa is eligible for ESA funding regardless of household income. Parents must open an ESA annually to access the state-wide established per-pupil amount through the Iowa Department of Education. This amount can be used towards eligible tuition and fees at St. Paul's, making your total tuition cost $40 per month (over 10 months).
St. Paul’s Preschool is a partner in the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program, which covers 10 hours of preschool tuition for 4 year old students. Additionally, 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 ensure that every family can afford a St. Paul’s education, with programs that are highly accessible and, in many cases, tuition-free for qualifying families.
2025-26 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 (2025)
15
Average Class Size for K-6
9:1
Student-to-Teacher Ratio
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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No. We are an ecumenical Christian school that welcomes families from all denominational backgrounds to grow together in our shared faith in Christ.
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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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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.