What are the campaign priorities?
We have chosen four focus areas for use of these new capital funds at Lutheran High School of Orange County:
A. Teachers Assistance Endowment
B. Building Expansion
C. Building Renovation, and
D. Improved Technology.
Who set these priorities?
The priorities were chosen by the school’s Board of Directors based on the recommendations of the Executive Director, the Principal, faculty and staff, outside consultants, and the Advisory Council. As part of the development of these priorities, an extensive survey was taken of over 400 families with students at Orange Lutheran. The Board is elected by delegates from the associated churches.
Why is financial aid not one of the campaign priorities? How many students currently get financial aid?
Financial aid is very important at Lutheran High, and growing every year, but not as part of this Capital Campaign. Currently Lutheran High provides $800,000 annually in financial aid to qualifying students. By policy, all accepted students may apply for financial aid. Students receive aid based only on financial need, not scholastic, athletic or artistic capabilities. No students receive a “full ride.” An independent auditor reviews each applicant. Approximately 14% of Orange Lutheran students receive some amount of aid.
What is the Teachers Assistance Endowment? Who will administer it?
The endowment is a relatively new effort for Orange Lutheran. There is a current general school endowment of $300,000 and we would like to increase that by $3 million dedicated to the Teachers Assistance Endowment. This $3 million, and the investment earnings from it, will be used to assist teachers to purchase or maintain housing in the competitive Orange County market. This endowment will help us to hire and retain the best possible teachers at Lutheran High. The management of the endowment, including investments and distributions, will be under the direction of the Board.
What current facilities will we lose if we add buildings to the current campus?
The construction does not include any new buildings, only additions and renovations to current facilities. The most noticeable change when the construction is completed is that the tennis courts will be removed to make room for the building expansion. In addition, two classrooms in the 100 hallway will be combined to form the new science lab. The instrumental music room will be converted into the choral music room. Two classrooms in the 200 hallway will be made into permanent backstage rooms for the Nechita Center.
Why expand the campus and add classrooms? Don’t we already have enough students?
The campaign priorities are focused on improving the quality of the experience at LHSOC, not the size. The current building expansion plan adds ten classrooms, a science lab and other facilities that focus on improving student learning in an optimum education environment — keeping class size down and access to resources high.
What happens to the vision when Ken Ellwein, our Executive Director, retires this summer?
Orange Lutheran’s biggest visionary in the last twenty years has been Ken Ellwein, no question. He has had the passion to grow the school to the organization it is today. God richly blessed Orange Lutheran with Ken’s guidance. God will continue to bless us. Through Ken, God has placed high quality staff and administrators in key positions who also share a gift for vision and excellence. Furthermore, Ken will continue to be actively involved with the school and the Capital Campaign as its Chair.
Has Orange Lutheran become too focused on sports and arts, and lost its focus on Christ?
Christ is in everything we say and do at Orange Lutheran. Our mission is to help students internalize the Gospel Message of Christ Jesus. We do this not only through our academic curriculum, but also through our programs in athletics, arts, and leadership. Strong, recognizable programs increase the value and popularity of an Orange Lutheran diploma. Furthermore, our successful programs give us a broader platform to spread His message. As an organization, we believe that God is not only the author of our gifts, but He also lays claim to the accomplishments we achieve with these gifts. Therefore, we strive to be excellent in Christian Character Development, Academics, and Competition and Performance, not by sacrificing our Christian faith, but by lifting it up!
Has the student body become too non-Lutheran?
Currently our student population is approximately 65% Lutheran and 35% non-Lutheran. Historically, this is the norm—we have been anywhere between 60% and 70% Lutheran over the past 30 years. In our admission process, by policy, we first evaluate and make a decision on all the applicants from our associated Lutheran churches. We then review non-associated applicants with siblings currently in attendance. After these “related-party” admission decisions, we review all the other applicants, looking to build a quality group of students that will serve the mission of Lutheran High School. We look for leaders, athletes, musicians, artisans, etc. so that all of our programs are filled with students that “bring something to the table.” We would never sacrifice a quality associated Lutheran student for a non-associated student, no matter what he or she might bring to Orange Lutheran. Again, ALL associated Lutheran students are considered FIRST in the admission process.
Are feeder school children not being accepted because we recruit?
We do not recruit. However, we must all accept that our reputation recruits for us. We have outstanding programs that attract quality students. After we have accepted our associated Lutheran students, we do look to those non-associated applicants that can add something special to their class – including special talents in academics, arts, athletics, leadership, etc.
Will we be naming the school after a large contributor, as they did at Crean Lutheran South High School in South County?
No. The Board has approved naming certain of our facilities to honor major contributors to Lutheran High, should the school and the donor agree. There has been no approval of changing the school name.
Doesn’t my tuition cover these capital campaign priorities? Why don’t you just raise tuition?
Tuition covers a lot. It, plus our normal annual fundraising efforts, provides an annual budget that covers teacher salaries and benefits, operating expenses, and the like. However, this annual funding does not cover new projects, which surface every year, or fantastic opportunities that could not be foreseen. Each year the Board reevaluates the tuition and has the great challenge of balancing affordability with competitive pricing. We believe that Orange Lutheran's tuition rates are a value versus that of our peer schools. The current plan is to fund the majority of these priorities with separate capital campaign contributions.
Who decides how my gift is spent?
Your unrestricted gift is spent on all aspects of the campaign, as priorities are set by the Board. The current decision of the Board is that 20% of unrestricted gifts will be allocated to the Teachers Assistance Endowment.
Can I designate my gift for a particular area or focus?
We prefer that gifts be unrestricted so that the Board can decide how best to implement the campaign priorities. However, we will accept gifts that are designated for any one or more of the four campaign priorities. Large gifts with restrictions outside of these four priorities will be considered at the discretion of the Board. It is our pleasure to honor your very prayerful and thoughtful decision on how you wish that we utilize your gift.
How much should I give?
You should always give, to Orange Lutheran or any other organization, enough so that you care how it is spent. As the Bible says, “Where your treasure is, so will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21). You will become more passionate about an organization or a mission when you financially contribute to that cause. We ask that you give enough to this Values and Vision Capital Campaign so that you care how we spend your money.
Why should I contribute?
My family will never enjoy all the benefits of this capital campaign because: (a) my kids will only be at Orange Lutheran for a few short years, and/or (b) my kids (or I) have already graduated. There is a parable that teaches us to plant trees today so that future generations may benefit from the shade. A small group of families long ago had the vision and passion to create the high school that you see today. They planted the seeds of our success. Their legacy can be seen in the Christian character of our students, the academic achievements of our students, the athletic and artistic accomplishments of our students, and the leadership and service demonstrated by our students. This is your chance to do the same—to create your own legacy and continue the vision of those that came before you.
