New Organization, High School Name Coming in Form of Central Nebraska Lutheran Schools UPDATE

Listen to and interview with Brad Keasling below.

Lightning is striking the landscape of local schools. The organization of Lutheran schools of Central Nebraska is getting an “exciting” shakeup as Heartland Lutheran High School will become Grand Island Lutheran High, among other changes.

The Trinity Lutheran Church council and congregation, as well as the delegates of Heartland Lutheran High School have all voted in favor of an acquisition of the high school by Trinity Lutheran.

“We are thrilled to be making this exciting announcement,” said Andy Rathe, current principal of Trinity Lutheran. “After a year of working with all the parties involved, we are ready to celebrate the future of Lutheran education under one umbrella.”

A new organization, Central Nebraska Lutheran Schools, has been formed and on July 1 will officially unite Trinity Lutheran School with the newly named Grand Island Lutheran High. Trinity will become a PreK-6 school and Lutheran High will be 7-12.

Officials say the main reason for this unification is to continue and strengthen Lutheran education in Central Nebraska. By combining Trinity Lutheran and the high school, for the first time there will be a unified Pre-K through 12th grade Lutheran option in Grand Island.

“Many people didn’t realize Trinity and Heartland Lutheran were separate school organizations,” Rathe said. “Heartland Lutheran has had a wonderful 25 years serving the area. Trinity Lutheran has been around for more than 140 years. We’re looking forward to the next 140 years together as Central Nebraska Lutheran Schools.”

Heartland Lutheran will remain in operation through the end of this school year. Starting in the fall, Grand Island Lutheran High will be the school’s name.

“We’re excited to present the Grand Island Lutheran High Lightning,” Rathe said. “In the Bible, lightning often represents God’s power and majesty. As a Christian school, we work to cultivate Christ-centered students who are equipped to thrive and serve.”

All students currently enrolled will be able to stay in the school. Any students can reach out to either Trinity Lutheran or Heartland Lutheran to enroll for the fall.

Logistically, some changes will be coming. The current 7th and 8th graders at Trinity will be moving out to the current Heartland Lutheran High School campus. Additionally, some of Trinity’s middle school staff will be making the move as well.

Brad Keasling is the Gift Planner at Trinity Lutheran Church and School. He said ultimately this change came down to ensuring Lutheran education had a strong future in Grand Island and the region.

“Trinity Lutheran leaders believe with a unified vision, fresh perspective and renewed passion, we can revitalize secondary Lutheran education,” he said.

Keasling had great things to say about Heartland Lutheran.

“We are thankful to all who have been involved with Heartland Lutheran over their 25 years,” he said. “We are excited to bring them all into Trinity Lutheran as one united family going forward.”

He also stressed the Heartland Lutheran legacy does not disappear.

“We know there are many graduates and supporters of the Red Hornets, past and present,” Keasling said. “We hope they all know they will always be welcome in our schools.”

The annual Red & Blue Gala in support of Heartland Lutheran is scheduled for March 22. Keasling said he hopes the event will be an opportunity for those supporters to share in the excitement for the future of Central Nebraska Lutheran Schools. Reach out to the office at Heartland Lutheran for tickets and donation requests.