A 13-Acre Campus on West Olive Street
St. Peter Lutheran Church stands at 111 West Olive Street in Arlington Heights, Illinois, where a brick campus has been part of the community for more than 160 years. The address is more than a single building; it is a 13-acre campus that includes classrooms, a Makerspace, gyms, an art studio, a Small Chapel, and outdoor play areas, all anchored by St. Peter Lutheran School. The school runs from age two through eighth grade, and the relationship between the school and the church is the defining feature of the congregation. Parents regularly describe the two as "a great extension of each other," and the school's mission statement of "Leading People to A Full Life In Christ" comes from John 10:10, the same verse the church points to as the heart of its work.
The church and school together have earned recognition well beyond Arlington Heights. St. Peter was awarded the National Blue Ribbon Award by the U.S. Department of Education in 2013 for academic excellence, and the Daily Herald has named it a Readers' Choice winner for both Best Private School and Best Place to Worship. The congregation belongs to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the Northern Illinois District of the LCMS, and the school's curriculum follows Missouri Synod Lutheran school guidelines while meeting Illinois state accreditation standards.
Over 160 Years on the Same Corner
St. Peter is one of the oldest educational institutions in Northern Illinois, and the school has been at the center of the congregation for generations. Paul Goffron, who has served as principal for 17 years in Lutheran schools within the Northern Illinois District, writes that the school is "one of the oldest educational institutions in Northern Illinois and one of the most technologically advanced and creatively innovative." That blend of heritage and innovation runs through everything the church does.
Families in the school community often span multiple generations. Trudi Snively, a fourth-grade teacher and lifelong church member, writes that "My entire family went to school at St. Peter, including my father, siblings, children, niece and nephew, and grand-nephews." Mandy Grissom, the Leader of Preschool, is an alumna who is part of five generations who have attended the school. Jill Schutz, a second-grade teacher, joined St. Peter in 2007 when her oldest son began kindergarten, and both of her sons went on to graduate from eighth grade here.
That generational continuity shapes the church's culture. New families tend to be welcomed into a community that already knows how to walk alongside them, and the school and the church share teachers, parents, and volunteers across ministries. As one parent puts it, "St. Peter has been a huge blessing to our family. I have found a home, a loving community church, people I can depend on who LOVE my son and give him a great education and have taught him to follow Jesus."
"Leading People to a Full Life in Christ"
The mission statement of St. Peter Lutheran Church and School is "Leading People To A Full Life In Christ," and the church's tagline quotes John 10:10: "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." This verse is the thread that ties the school day, the chapel services, the athletic programs, and the family discipleship work together.
As a Missouri Synod Lutheran congregation, St. Peter is committed to the doctrines and liturgy of the LCMS. The curriculum of the school "meets the accreditation requirements of the State of Illinois and the guidelines for Missouri Synod Lutheran schools," and the school is accredited by the National Lutheran Schools Accreditation Commission (NLSA) and recognized as a non-public school by the State of Illinois. In 2015 the school also received NLSA Accreditation Exemplary School status. Faculty members hold appropriate bachelors and masters degrees along with state teaching licensures and memberships in professional teaching organizations such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Lutheran Education Association, and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Faith formation at St. Peter is woven into every part of the school day. Preschool through eighth-grade students gather for chapel, and classrooms integrate biblical teaching with academic content. "God's grace and love are interwoven throughout every part of our day, and His Word is infused into every corner of our classrooms," Snively writes.
A School Where the Church Feels Like Family
St. Peter Lutheran School serves students from age two through eighth grade on a single campus, and the design of the school is intentionally developmental. Early childhood classrooms are separate from elementary and middle school classrooms, but the entire community gathers in shared spaces like the Small Chapel, the gyms, the cafeteria, and the playgrounds, so that older students regularly interact with younger ones.
The school offers half-day and full-day options at every level. The 2-year-old preschool runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on full days and 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on half days. The 3- and 4-year-old preschool offers multiple scheduling combinations (two half-days, two full-days, three full-days, five full-days, and a flex option) from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 2:40 p.m. Transitional Kindergarten is a full-day program designed for students with late summer or early fall birthdays who would benefit from an additional year before traditional kindergarten. Kindergarten through fifth grade follows a full-day schedule with extended care available before and after, and middle school covers sixth through eighth grade with a team of teachers who cycle with students for three years, supporting the transition from elementary to high school.
Tuition assistance is available through the Variable Tuition program for families with at least one K-8 student. The program, administered through FACTS Management, lets each family pay a tuition rate that fits their financial situation. The school maintains a strict non-discrimination policy that complies with Title IX, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Illinois School Code.
From Small Saints to Eighth-Grade Leaders
Long before students enter a formal classroom, St. Peter opens its doors to the community through Small Saints Playdates. Held in the campus Pikler playroom, these free playdates welcome children ages four and under along with their parents for movement, sensory play, and connection. St. Peter staff members are on hand to answer questions and offer tours, so a morning of play often becomes a first look at the school for many families.
Once students enroll, the early childhood classrooms are designed to feel like a second home. State-certified, degreed teachers work with classroom aides, and the curriculum follows the Illinois State Early Learning Standards with technology integration. A daily Jesus Time weaves Bible stories, songs, and thematic activities into the routine, and a balance of free play, large motor time, phonics, art, and rest prepares children for the structure of elementary school. Cafeteria lunches eaten in the classroom, recess in the motor room or on the small playground, and quiet time on school-provided mats round out the day. Children must be 2 years old by September 1 to start at the beginning of the school year, and toilet independence is required for the 3- and 4-year-old programs.
Elementary students in kindergarten through fifth grade take on a richer academic load. Reading instruction uses phonemic awareness, contextual clues, and guided reading groups, and by fifth grade students are decoding and comprehending varied text structures. Math is taught through hands-on experiences and discussion. Every classroom has a SMARTboard, and students in kindergarten through eighth grade use 1:1 iPads with daily exposure to applications like Schoology that mirror what they will use in District 214 high schools. Kindergartners attend weekly lessons in music, Spanish, and physical education, and the full elementary curriculum includes art, music, technology, and social-emotional learning.
Middle school is organized around small learning communities, with a team of teachers who stay with their students for all three years. Academics are project-based, discussion-based, and faith-based, with leveled math instruction in algebra and geometry, a daily Maker's Space technology lab featuring 3D printers and laser cutters, and electives in art, band, choir, musical theater, and Spanish. Students can join Student Council, the school newspaper, the National Junior Honor Society, and the annual spring musical. On the 2020 PSAT8, St. Peter eighth graders scored higher than District 214 schools in every test area, and the school reports that its graduates consistently place into Honors and Advanced Placement classes at local high schools. A District 211 employee notes that "St. Peter students typically become leaders in their schools and bring that discipleship spirit with them to the public setting."
Children's and Family Discipleship
Beyond the school day, the church invests heavily in the spiritual formation of its youngest members. Kayla Olson, who also teaches third grade, serves as the church's Leader of Children and Family Discipleship, building a bridge between the classroom and the home. Sarah Greiner serves as the Leader of Discipleship and the church's Modern Worship Leader, coordinating ministry for families across the congregation.
Discipleship is not an add-on at St. Peter; it is part of the rhythm of the week. Jill Schutz, who has served as the Director of Children's Ministries in addition to her teaching role, helps lead huddle groups and discipleship groups for students. The school's Verse of the Week program walks students through a year-long curriculum built around core passages of Scripture, including Romans 8:38-39, John 10:14-15, Romans 5:8, Hebrews 11:3, Isaiah 43:2-3, 1 Peter 1:3, Ephesians 2:8-10, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Psalm 100, John 3:16-17, and Hebrews 12:1-2. Each verse is paired with developmentally appropriate discussion questions for students and a separate set for younger learners.
Families are invited into that formation through the Parent Teacher League, chapel services, and mission trips. Schutz has participated in multiple mission trips to South Africa with the church, and Snively joined a 2018 team that worked alongside teachers and students at St. Peter Christian College in Middelburg. These trips are a natural extension of the congregation's commitment to "Christian citizenship, focused on improving and enhancing the world around us," as the principal describes it.
Worship, Music, and the Fine Arts
Worship at St. Peter blends the liturgical tradition of the LCMS with a modern worship expression led by Sarah Greiner. The church uses the John 10:10 tagline across its ministries, and both church and worship leadership are listed alongside the school. Weekend services are part of the rhythm, and giving is collected during services as well as online through the church's online giving platform.
The arts are deeply integrated into the congregation's life. St. Peter's Grace Notes Children's Choir welcomes any third through fifth-grade student with no participation fee; rehearsals are held on Thursdays in the Small Chapel, and the choir sings at the Winter Concert, the Spring Concert, and select chapel and church services throughout the year. Praise Band is offered for middle school students, and the school offers band, choir, and musical theater as middle school electives.
Private music lessons and group programs round out the offering. The string program serves kindergarten through eighth grade with group lessons and ensembles taught by professional violinist Daniela Folker, who has performed with the Joffrey Ballet Orchestra, the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, the Chicago Philharmonic, and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Private piano lessons are taught by Cheryl Gerson, who serves as Director of Traditional Worship at Saint Paul in Mount Prospect, and by Kathy Neumann, who has taught piano for over 30 years. Randy Craig teaches private guitar. Lessons cost $28 each with a one-time $25 materials fee, billed monthly through Skyward.
Culminating events include the Winter Concert and Spring Concert, and the arts programs work together to provide additional fine arts enrichment during the summer months.
Extended Care, Athletics, and ACE
Because so many St. Peter families balance work and school schedules, the campus offers wraparound care from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on regular school days. The Extended Care program, led by Michelle Fritz, is a Christ-centered before- and after-school care option for students enrolled at the school, with regular rates of $7.50 per hour and full-day or half-day options on non-school days. The program operates during the school year and bridges into a Summer Days Camp that runs from June to July.
After school, the ACE (Arts, Culture, and Entertainment) program offers enrichment classes in three sessions a year (fall, winter, and spring) taught by staff, parents, and outside agencies. Recent offerings have included Sticky Fingers Cooking, Outdoor Photography, Soccer Shots, Author/Author, Minecraft Code, Imagination in Action, Saints in Training, Jellybean Sports, Rock 'n' Kids, Swiftie Scratch, BrickLAB, and Inquisitive Minds. ACE classes are open to students from preschool through eighth grade and even to adults, and they take place on the St. Peter campus during normal extended care hours.
Athletics are a major part of the school and church identity. St. Peter competes in the MidSuburan Middle School Athletic Conference and the Northwest Suburban Lutheran Conference and is a member of the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) and the Lutheran Sports Association of Illinois (LSA). The Saints offer no-cut sports for students in third through eighth grade, including volleyball, cross country, basketball, cheerleading, and track. Younger students can join the Junior Running Club in the fall and the Junior Basketball program in the fall and spring. The athletic mission statement grounds the program in Christian character, drawing on Ephesians 3:17-19, Matthew 5:14-16, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, James 1:2-4, Philippians 2:3-8, and Philippians 3:13-14.
Mission Beyond the Campus
St. Peter's mission work extends well beyond Arlington Heights. The congregation has sent teams to South Africa to support St. Peter Christian College in Middelburg, and church members regularly participate in local outreach through the school. The Protection Ministry ensures that every volunteer who works with children, youth, or vulnerable adults is screened through a confidential application with references, a short interview, an online protection training class, a reference check, and a criminal background check.
The school is also intentional about the local community. The Small Saints Playdate program is free and open to the public, the ACE program welcomes outside participants, and the school invites prospective families to tour the campus and meet the admissions team. "St. Peter Lutheran School serves the entire community," the non-discrimination policy reads, and the admissions team actively works to ensure finances are not a barrier through the Variable Tuition program.
The congregation supports the ministry financially through several channels. Online giving is available through the church's online giving platform, and gifts can also be made by check, by stock or mutual fund transfer (coordinated through Finance Manager Sherry Hoffman), or through the school's Wish List and Saints Annual Fund. Special events include a biennial Gala and Auction, an annual Golf Outing, a Jog-a-thon, and an Oktoberfest held on the 13-acre campus.
Visiting St. Peter Lutheran Church
St. Peter Lutheran Church is located at 111 West Olive Street, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004. The church phone number is 847.259.4114, and the fax line is 847.259.4185. The school office can be reached at 224-387-3825 or by email at schooloffice@fulllifeinchrist.org. Weekend services are part of the church's rhythm, and the Small Saints Playdate is a popular first step for families with young children who want to experience the campus before committing to a school visit. School tours can be scheduled through the admissions office, with separate calendars for preschool and K-8th grade families. Giving is available online, and the church connects with the broader community through its YouTube and Vimeo channels, as well as Spotify playlists and a Facebook and Instagram presence under stpeterah.
St. Peter Lutheran Church has been a presence on West Olive Street for more than 160 years, and the 13-acre campus remains a hub for worship, learning, and community life in Arlington Heights. From the Small Saints Playdate to the eighth-grade spring musical, from the Modern Worship Leader to the school's National Blue Ribbon recognition, the congregation is united by its mission to lead people to a full life in Christ.