TOGETHER, BUILDING EAST.
is a campaign for Lutheran East’s present and future, building upon the foundation of the past.
It aims to enhance our school building in ways that are not only necessary, but impactful for generations of Falcons to come.
Lutheran East has been blessed to operate continuously from its original building on Mayfield Road. With a long history comes the need for timely upgrades to the facilities, so that students and staff can work together in an optimal setting for learning and growth.
Today’s Northeast Ohio private school market is full of options for families, and those families are looking for school facilities that offer an updated, comfortable, and safe learning environment for their students.
In making necessary upgrades now, we honor the long history of our school and set the stage for Lutheran East to thrive well into the future.
“Upgrading and modernizing our facilities will have only positive effects on our students and faculty. I believe that modern, bright, comfortable spaces will ensure that students are excited to come to school and eager to learn.”
-Andrew Prusinski, Lutheran East Principal
1948
48 students entered the original Lutheran High School, located downtown Cleveland at 2648 Prospect Avenue.
1970
The 1970-71 school year saw the highest enrollment in school history, with 435 students.
The Lutheran East Alumni Association and Alumni Hall of Fame were established.
Enrollment drops to 89 total students, leading to serious discussion about closing the school.
1958
During the 1958-59 school year, LHSE was run from Park Synagogue in Cleveland Heights. Lutheran East welcomed 265 students to its completed building on Mayfield Road in September 1959.
1971
Lutheran East secured its first state athletic title, won by the boys’ track team.
The Cleveland Lutheran Educational Endowment Fund (CLEEF) was established to further the mission of the Cleveland Lutheran High School Association and its schools.
The CLHSA Board of Trustees creates the Lutheran East Operating Board.
Over the course of the 75-year history of the CLHSA and the 65-year history of Lutheran High School East, our community has taken proactive steps to properly position the school to serve the ever-changing educational, experiential, and technological needs of students.
Concurrently, Lutheran East has modernized some of its spaces to the degree that was possible at the time. This project is an opportunity for our community to once again take action to properly enhance the facility-based needs of the school.
Faith & Future will enable Lutheran East to take the necessary steps in modernizing its facility so that our school can continue to grow and serve students in the most optimal spaces possible.
2013
The original auditorium was updated and modernized.
2016
Through fundraising efforts, crucial improvements were made to the gymnasium and the main entrance. The building was also partially outfitted with air conditioning.
2018
Enrollment surpassed 300 for the first time in 45 years, and has remained above 300 in all school years since.
2021
Boys’ basketball once again secured a state championship.
2023
The Faith & Future capital campaign begins.
2005
The boys’ basketball team wins the state championship.
2014
The Lutheran East Gospel Choir was founded.
2017
Boys’ basketball captured another state title.
2018
The Lutheran East Honors Academy was established.
2022
The Admissions & Alumni Center was added.
More than ever before, Lutheran East is competing in a market in which families have a multitude of educational options for their children. They’re looking for what Lutheran East has to offer a supportive, Christ-centered community that enables the growth and development of every student. Now, we must take steps to ensure that our physical facility matches their expectations that it is in line with what families are seeking and expecting from a private school.
Lutheran East is now positioned to make those investments with funding support from federal grants and from our generous community.
Together, we’ll faithfully build East’s future.
WINDOWS: the windows in our school building are original from its 1958 construction. They allow too much cold to enter in the winter and too much heat in the summer. Some of the windows no longer close fully. The unregulated temperature caused by the original windows, as well as the wind and noise coming in from outdoors, are a distraction to students and faculty.
POWER & ENERGY EFFICIENCY: In 2017, the building was partially outfitted with air conditioning. Currently, the temperatures in the non-air conditioned portions of the building can feel unbearable. The time has come to complete this initiative, allowing students and staff to comfortably attend classes and utilize facilities throughout the year.
FACADE: The exterior facade of a 65-year-old building is bound to begin falling apart due to wear and weathering. Much of the building is in desperate need of refacing, so that the structure can remain intact for decades to come. Additionally, the school name has never been as visible and prominent as it should be from Mayfield Road. For years, this has been a missed opportunity for awareness and recognition of Lutheran East. Along with necessary exterior structural repairs, the Faith & Future campaign will add a 22-foot wide backlit modern sign spelling out “Lutheran High School East.”
TOTAL PROJECT COST:
$3.8 MILLION
Lutheran East will use government grant funding to cover approximately $1.4 million of installation costs associated with the project.
For more than a decade, Lutheran East has been financially stable and received clean audits. This is a result of steadying student enrollment and thoughtful management of our financial resources.
At present, Lutheran East has available funds from government grants and resources from its facilities account that can be designated for these crucial projects, but the project costs exceed the funds on hand.
The time is right to undertake the necessary improvements to our physical facility that were impossible during times when the financial security of the school was uncertain.
Lutheran East is calling upon its community of alumni, friends, and donors to fulfill the financial needs of the Faith & Future project so that these important facility enhancements are no longer delayed.
Through Faith & Future, we can seize this timely opportunity to build upon the history of our school and the renewed stability and growth we’ve enjoyed. We can enhance facilities, and in doing so, can enhance the educational experiences and lives of current and future Falcons.
In recent years, Lutheran East has grown continually, seeing growth from less than 100 students in 2003 to our current enrollment of 345.
The time is now to invest in our beloved school building, setting the stage for Lutheran East’s continued growth and ability to continue providing impactful, life-changing Christ-centered education well into the future.
We’re in a unique and exciting position at Lutheran East. The opportunities we offer to a increased number of students and families continue to change and grow our facility must do the same. We’re poised to take steps toward making our building the modern, updated facility families expect and our students deserve, while honoring the seven decades of history of Falcons that have walked those halls previously.”
- Chris Steinmann, Superintendent & CEO, The Cleveland Lutheran High School Association
