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Academic Programs
About CCLS
Christ Community Lutheran School (CCLS) in Almena, Wisconsin, is a classical Lutheran school dedicated to providing Christ-centered education rooted in the rich traditions of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. Formed through the efforts of local congregations in Circuit 3 of the North Wisconsin District
About us
Our Story
Christ Community Lutheran School (CCLS) in Almena, Wisconsin, is a new Lutheran School dedicated to providing classical Lutheran education. The initiative to establish CCLS emerged from a collaborative effort among local Lutheran congregations within the Circuit 3 of the North Wisconsin District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, recognizing the importance of Christian education for the life and health of the Church.
Over recent years, discussions and planning culminated in the formation of a School Steering Committee, which set goals including opening the school in the Almena area along Highway 8 and seeking accreditation from the Consortium of Classical Lutheran Education, the Classical Latin School Association and the National Lutheran Education Association. We are currently partner members of the Classical Latin School Association.
CCLS achieved tax-exempt status in February 2022 as a parochial school. The school will serve students for first through second grade, with a long-term goal of expanding to a kindergarten through twelfth-grade program, by adding one to two grades per year. In cooperation with Christ Community Lutheran School, a classical homeschool co-op offers weekly chapel and academic classes for students in K4 through grade 12, reflecting our commitment to serving families educating their children using a classical Lutheran model.
The school is meeting at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Almena, Wisconsin, with Pastor Ike Nicholson serving both as pastor of St. Matthew and Chaplain of the school. This partnership underscores the shared mission of providing a Christ-centered, classical education to the community.
Classical Lutheran Education
Classical Lutheran education is not just a model of learning—it’s a way of forming the next generation to live faithfully in Christ and serve their neighbor with wisdom, courage, and conviction.Rooted in the rich heritage of the Lutheran Reformation, classical education embraces the tools of grammar, logic, and rhetoric to teach students how to think, not just what to think. This aligns deeply with the Lutheran understanding of vocation, truth, and the life of the mind—formed by the Word of God and guided by the Lutheran Confessions.
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Christ at the Center
A classical Lutheran school teaches every subject as part of God’s created order, under the lordship of Christ. Whether studying mathematics or Latin, students learn to see the world as God's good creation, redeemed through Christ, and ordered by His wisdom.
02
Formation, Not Just Information
Education isn’t just about absorbing facts; it’s about forming the heart and the will. Classical Lutheran education shapes students in virtue, discernment, and faithful citizenship—preparing them to live out their baptismal identity with clarity and conviction.
03
Teaching the Faith Deeply
A confessional Lutheran school rooted in classical methods gives students the theological literacy and biblical fluency they need to navigate a confused world. Daily catechesis, Scripture, hymnody, and church history help ground them in the unchanging truth of God’s Word.
04
Supporting the Church's Mission
By preparing students to know Christ, love the truth, and engage the culture wisely, classical Lutheran education supports the Church’s broader mission of making disciples and passing on the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).
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A Legacy Worth Reclaiming
This is not a new idea—it’s a recovery of the way the Lutheran Church once educated generations. Reformers like Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon were themselves classical educators, emphasizing the liberal arts as tools for rightly understanding theology and vocation.
Statement of Faith
CCLS accepts without reservation the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired and inerrant Word of God and the Book of Concord of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as a true exposition of God’s Word.
Accreditation & Affiliations
Phonics and Reading
Phonics is taught systematically through Memoria Press's First Start Reading and Traditional Spelling programs. Students use real literature (not basal readers) such as Little Bear, Caps For Sale, and Mr. Popper’s Penguins for reading comprehension.uary 16
Spelling and Printing
Spelling is built through phonics and visual memory. Copybook exercises focus on neat handwriting, memorization, and penmanship. Cursive starts in 1st–2nd grade using the New American Cursive program.
Arithmetic
Focus on addition/subtraction facts through 18, counting, time, calendar, money, and intro to multiplication by 2nd grade. Activities include skip-counting, drills, and games.
Geography, History, Science
Students learn basic geography terms, continents, states, and weather-related science.
Christian Studies, Music, Art
Students study the Bible, memorize Scripture, learn music theory and appreciation, and explore art and artists weekly.
Physical Education
PE occurs twice a week with 30 minutes of rigorous activity and traditional games.
Take the Next Step
Interested in Christ Community Lutheran School, but still not sure if it's the right fit for your child?
We get it! There is nobody more important to you, and where you send your child to school is one of the most important decisions you can make.
That's why we encourage you to take the next step in exploring Christ Community Lutheran School by scheduling a visit.
You'll be able to experience our school first-hand, see our facilities, and ask any questions.
We look forward to meeting you.
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