Grace Lutheran Church & School

What Grace Lutheran Church & School does

Grace Lutheran Church & School is a non-profit, Christ-centered congregation and accredited private school located at 1200 Charles St in La Plata, Maryland. Founded as a church in 1961 and relocated to its current campus in 1967, the organization launched Grace Lutheran Preschool in 1974 and has since expanded into a full Pre-K2 through 8th grade academic program serving more than 250 students, with dual accreditation from the National Lutheran Schools Association and the Middle States Association. The school delivers core academics (math, language arts, science, social studies, Bible studies), enrichment in art, music, PE, and Spanish (grades 3-8), and supports individualized progress tracking through MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) testing administered three times per year, Frog Street Curriculum for preschool, and the Accelerated Reader program.

The business model is tuition-driven and supplemented by ancillary fees and donations. Core revenue consists of recurring annual Pre-K2 through 8th grade tuition (processed through FACTS Tuition Management), a $100 non-refundable application fee per student, monthly extended care fees, hot lunch program sales ordered through FACTS/SIS (with outsourced meal options including Chick-fil-A, Pizza Hotline, and Fosters), logo apparel e-commerce through Royal Jester Apparel/Crown Trophy, and donations to the GLS Scholarship Fund administered via VanCo. Need-based financial assistance is provided through FACTS Financial Aid and the institutional scholarship fund. The go-to-market is community-led: prospective families engage through Tuesday/Thursday campus tours beginning in October, a structured admissions funnel with applications opening December 1 and new-family enrollment beginning February 2, and a MAP screening instrument that serves both admissions and ongoing benchmarking. Word-of-mouth within the church and broader Charles County community is the primary enrollment driver.

Beyond the school, Grace Lutheran operates an integrated ministry portfolio that diversifies community engagement and revenue exposure: two Sunday worship services (8:30am Traditional Lutheran and 11am Praise & Worship, live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube), Bible studies, Sunday School, Confirmation, a Junior/Senior High youth group, Stephen Ministry (one-to-one confidential care), Prison & Recovery Ministry partnerships with Charles County Detention Center and Jude House Recovery Facility, FISH Food Pantry (30+ years of operation), SHARE Food Network, and the Southern Maryland Mobile Compassion Center. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors led by Pat Wyman (President) under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Jeff Marquardt (Senior Pastor) and educational leadership of Susan Gastler (Principal), operating as a congregation within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

Name

Grace Lutheran Church & School

Legal name

Grace Lutheran Church & School

Website

https://growingwithgrace.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Grace Lutheran Church & School is a non-profit Christ-centered congregation and accredited private school in La Plata, Maryland, serving 250+ students from Pre-K2 through 8th grade via tuition-funded academics, extended care, and community ministries spanning food assistance, prison/recovery support, and youth programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-8 Christian Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Child and Youth Services (62411), Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Preschools (EDACABAF), Faith-Based Before/After Care Programs (Early Years) (EDACAHAE), Campus Spiritual & Religious Life (EDALAHAI), Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

Keywords

• Christian education
• Primary school education
• Religious worship services
• Community outreach ministries
• Youth ministry programs

Headquarters

HQ city

La Plata

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Annual tuition payments from families for children enrolled in preschool through 8th grade. Tuition rates for 2026-27 school year available via downloadable document. Extended care rates also available separately.
2. Application and Registration Fees: $100 non-refundable application fee per student collected at time of application. Additional registration fees collected upon acceptance to secure student seat.
3. School Lunch Program: Hot lunch program providing freshly prepared meals, sandwiches, salads, and outsourced meals from Chick-fil-A, Pizza Hotline, and Fosters. Orders placed through FACTS/SIS network.
4. Donations and Scholarship Fund: Donations to GLS Scholarship Fund help families with financial need access Christ-centered education. Contributions support tuition assistance.
5. Extended Care Services: Before and after school care services for preschool and school-age children, including AM and PM preschool extended care, school-age before care, and school-age after care.
6. Logo Apparel Sales: GLC&S logo apparel and spirit wear sold through online store partnered with Royal Jester Apparel/Crown Trophy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Grace Lutheran Church & School operates a Christ-centered private school serving more than 250 students from age 2 through 8th grade, plus a Lutheran congregation offering weekly worship, Bible studies, youth ministry, and pastoral care. Core educational delivery spans Preschool (Pre-K2, Pre-K3, Pre-K4), Elementary (K-5), and Middle School (6-8), with supporting services including extended care, hot lunch, FACTS-managed tuition, and a need-based scholarship fund. Community ministries include FISH Food Pantry, SHARE Food Network, Southern Maryland Mobile Compassion Center, Prison and Recovery Ministry, and Stephen Ministry.

Product overview

Grace Lutheran Church & School is a Christ-centered educational and religious institution offering a comprehensive range of services for students age 2 through 8th grade and the broader community. The core academic program (Grace Lutheran School Academic Program) spans Preschool (Pre-K2, Pre-K3, Pre-K4 using Frog Street Curriculum), Elementary School (Kindergarten through 5th Grade), and Middle School (Grades 6-8). Technology-enhanced learning includes MAP Testing for assessment and Accelerated Reader for literacy. Supporting services include FACTS Family Portal for academic management, FACTS Tuition Management and Financial Aid for payment and assistance, the GLS Scholarship Fund for need-based support, Extended Care Program for before/after-school care, and Hot Lunch Program with outsourced meal options. Religious programming includes Sunday Worship Services (Traditional Lutheran and Praise & Worship), Bible Studies, Confirmation, Sunday School, and Grace Youth Ministry with summer trips on a three-year rotation. Community outreach encompasses Stephen Ministry (one-to-one care), Prison and Recovery Ministry (AfterCare groups, mentorship, Shopper Group, Detention Center volunteering), and Food and Compassion Ministries including FISH Food Pantry, SHARE Food Network, and Southern Maryland Mobile Compassion Center. Additional services include admissions/enrollment with MAP screening, logo apparel store, and parent resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Grace Lutheran School Academic Program (Pre-K2 through 8th Grade) Comprehensive Christ-centered academic program for students from Preschool (Pre-K2, age 2) through 8th grade. Curriculum covers Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Bible Studies, Physical Education, Art, Music, and Spanish (Grades 3-8) taught through a Christian worldview using secular textbooks. Technology includes laptops for Grades 3-8 and shared tablets for Preschool-2nd grade. MAP Testing is administered three times yearly for progress tracking and Accelerated Reader supports literacy development. The program is accredited by the National Lutheran Schools Association and the Middle States Association.
• Extended Care Program Licensed before- and after-school care program licensed by the Maryland Office of Child Care. Includes Preschool Extended Care AM and PM for Pre-K2 through Pre-K4, School-Age Before Care (homework help and quiet activities), and School-Age After Care (supervised homework, outdoor play, faith-based experiences, devotions, enrichment activities, and nutritious snacks). Offered to enrolled preschool and school-age families.
• Hot Lunch Program School lunch program offering freshly prepared on-site meals, sandwiches, and salads, plus outsourced meal options from Chick-fil-A, Pizza Hotline, and Fosters. Ordering is managed through the FACTS/SIS network for enrolled students and their families.
• Sunday Worship Services Weekly Sunday worship services including 8:30am Traditional Lutheran Worship with Holy Communion (liturgical format using Lutheran Book of Worship and Lutheran Service Book) and 11am Praise and Worship with Holy Communion (praise team-led contemporary format). Both services are live streamed on Facebook and YouTube. Open to congregation members and community visitors.
• Bible Studies Multiple Bible study offerings for congregation members and visitors including Sunday morning sessions, Tuesday afternoon women's Bible study, Tuesday evening women's Bible study, Wednesday evening Bible study, and Thursday evening Crossways Bible study.
• Confirmation Program Year-long Confirmation program for students that requires completion of two Worship projects or eight Worship notes during the program year, attendance at three Sunday worship services plus one Advent and one Lent service. First Communion is held on Reformation Sunday and Confirmation Sunday on Pentecost.
• Sunday School Sunday morning religious education program for children, held in parallel with Sunday worship services at Grace Lutheran Church.
• Grace Youth Ministry Junior High and Senior High Youth Group for students in grades 6 through 12 led by DCE Amanda Bell. Meets twice monthly on and off campus for fun, fellowship, and food through the Rooted Events program. Includes the three-year summer rotation (LCMS Youth Gathering, Camp Linn Haven/out-of-state servant event, and Youth Fellowship Retreat).
• VBS 2026 (Vacation Bible School) Annual Vacation Bible School for children age 4 through 5th grade, running 9:00am-12:00pm. Includes optional merchandise orders (VBS CDs at $5 and T-shirts at $10) through the VanCo online store. Open to the broader community in addition to enrolled families.
• Stephen Ministry Confidential one-to-one Christ-centered care delivered by trained Stephen Ministers to congregation members and community members experiencing life difficulties. Caregivers aim to be compassionate, full of faith, skilled, and trustworthy. Grief Share booklets are provided to those experiencing loss.
• Prison and Recovery Ministry Comprehensive ministry including Men's AfterCare Group, Women's AfterCare Group, Stephen Minister Mentor Group, Shopper Group, and Detention Center Volunteer Group. Serves returning citizens from Charles County Detention Center and Jude House Recovery Facility through Bible studies, transportation assistance, clothing, resume help, and job hunting support. Includes weekly Bible studies at the main Jude House facility and women's night facilities.
• FISH Food Pantry Food assistance program providing non-perishable items to Charles County residents. Food is donated by Grace Lutheran members, local organizations, and collected through student chapel offerings. Distribution occurs on Thursdays and Saturdays, 10am-12pm.
• SHARE Food Network Non-profit community-based food program offering groceries at approximately 50% discount through monthly value packages. Packages cost $26 and include $40-45 worth of basic and healthy groceries (4-6 lbs of frozen proteins and 8-12 lbs of fresh fruits and vegetables). Accepts SNAP/EBT benefits and various payment methods. Seasonal and special packages are also available.
• Southern Maryland Mobile Compassion Center Partnership with the Lutheran Mission Society providing low-cost clothing, household items, and necessities through a Mobile Compassion Center. Services extend to other Lutheran churches in the Southern Maryland area. Open at Grace Lutheran on Thursdays and Saturdays, 10am-12pm during the 3rd and 4th weeks of each month.
• GLS Scholarship Fund Need-based scholarship fund that helps families afford Christ-centered education at Grace Lutheran School. Donations are accepted online through the VanCo platform. The fund aims to ensure no child is turned away due to financial hardship, supplementing financial assistance available through FACTS Financial Aid.
• GLC&S Logo Apparel Store Online store for Grace Lutheran Church & School logo and spirit wear apparel through partnership with Royal Jester Apparel/Crown Trophy (Waldorf). Features separate school and church sections. Items can be shipped or picked up at the Waldorf location at 3460 Leonardtown Rd.
• Admissions and Enrollment Services Admissions process including online applications with a $100 non-refundable fee per student, MAP screening for grades 1-8 (math, reading, writing sample, read-aloud assessment), student reference forms, optional shadow days, and campus tours offered Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am-1pm starting October. Managed by Admissions Director Tiffani Charles.

Quantifiable outcome

• 250+ students served
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration17 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FACTS Tuition ManagementcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with FACTS Tuition Management provides families seamless and flexible tuition payment experience. FACTS enables families to manage accounts, review payment schedules, and access detailed transaction history. Also provides FACTS Financial Aid for needs-based tuition assistance assessment.
• FACTS Family Portal / SIScoreTechnology or IntegrationFACTS Family Portal provides secure online platform for current families to access grades, progress reports, attendance, homework, enrollment, lunch ordering, financial accounts, and student documents. Core student information system for school operations.
• Chick-fil-AminorOthersOutsourced meal provider for school lunch program. Student-favorite meal option available through lunch ordering system.
• Pizza HotlineminorOthersOutsourced meal provider for school lunch program. Student-favorite pizza option available through lunch ordering system.
• Fosters (Restaurant)minorOthersOutsourced meal provider for school lunch program. Additional meal option diversifying student lunch choices.
• Royal Jester Apparel/Crown Trophy (Waldorf)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnered to provide GLC&S logo/spirit wear apparel. Online store accessible for families to order school and church logo items. Items shipped or picked up at Waldorf location at 3460 Leonardtown Rd.
• SHARE Food NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit community-based organization offering healthy groceries at roughly 50% discount. Monthly value packages cost $26 and include $40-45 worth of groceries. Accepts EBT/SNAP benefits and various payment methods.
• FISH Food PantrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrace Lutheran's FISH Food Pantry has been providing food assistance to Charles County residents for over 30 years. Non-perishable items donated by members and local organizations, collected through school chapel offerings. Distribution on Thursdays and Saturdays.
• Lutheran Mission Society / Southern Maryland Mobile Compassion CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Lutheran Mission Society provides low-cost clothing, household items, and necessities through Mobile Compassion Center. Services extended to other Lutheran churches in Southern Maryland area through traveling ministry. Open at Grace on 3rd and 4th weeks of month.
• Charles County Detention Center (CCDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrison ministry partnership serving male and female offenders through worship services, Bible studies, one-on-one discipleship, and Stephen Minister Mentor program. Volunteer opportunities for congregation members.
• Jude House Recovery Facility (JHRF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecovery ministry partnership providing Men's and Women's AfterCare Groups, Bible studies, and Stephen Minister Mentor services for individuals in recovery from correctional facilities. Weekly Bible studies conducted at main Jude House facility and women's night facilities.
• Health Partners, Inc. (Waldorf)minorOthersCommunity partner providing free clothing, toiletries, and footwear for returning citizens and community members in need.
• Catherine Foundation (Waldorf)minorOthersCommunity partner providing free maternity clothing for women in need through the Shopper Group support services.
• The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrace Lutheran Church and School is a congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. LCMS Youth Gatherings provide opportunity for youth to come together as community of God's people. Church teaches and follows Book of Concord and Lutheran doctrine.
• Frog Street PressminorOthersPublisher of Frog Street Curriculum, the research-based, play-centered preschool curriculum used for Pre-K2 through Pre-K4 programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Bishop McNamara High School: Catholic college-prep high school in Forestville, MD that absorbs Grace Lutheran 8th-grade graduates and competes for the same values-driven families at the secondary level in the broader Southern Maryland/DC metro area.
• Archbishop Spalding High School: Catholic high school in Severn, MD that serves as a downstream placement destination for graduates of faith-based K-8 schools in the Maryland/DC region, sharing similar parent demographic and values-driven admissions approach.
• St. Mary's Ryken High School: Catholic high school in Leonardtown, MD within the Southern Maryland region that receives graduates from local faith-based elementary schools including Lutheran institutions.

Direct peers

• Concordia Lutheran School: LCMS Lutheran school providing Pre-K through 8th grade education with similar biblically-integrated curriculum framework and dual-accreditation model typical of LCMS institutions.
• St. Mary's Catholic School: Faith-based K-8 school in the La Plata/Southern Maryland area offering accredited Catholic education. Most direct local competitor for tuition-paying families seeking private religious education.
• Trinity Lutheran School: LCMS-affiliated Lutheran school offering Christ-centered K-8 education with extended care, sharing the same Lutheran doctrine and National Lutheran Schools Association accreditation framework as Grace Lutheran.
• Father Andrew White, S.J. School: Catholic Pre-K through 8th grade school in Leonardtown, MD within the broader Southern Maryland market. Comparable faith-based academic model and extended care offerings competing for similar families.
• Our Lady of Victory Catholic School: Catholic K-8 school in the Maryland region offering similar academic and faith-based programming. Competes for tuition-paying families seeking private elementary/middle education in faith-based environments.

Emerging players

• Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School: Independent faith-based Pre-K-8 school with similar values-driven educational model and extended care programming, representing the broader private religious K-8 school segment competing for the same family demographic.

Others

• FACTS (by Renweb): Core technology and tuition management partner serving Grace Lutheran and hundreds of similar faith-based and private K-12 schools. Not a direct competitor but a key ecosystem provider and indirect comparable for school-management technology adoption patterns across the segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCc79zLWb4ZY3H6FAnSNgU5Q/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/gracelutheranlaplata
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grace-lutheran-church-school

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grace Lutheran Church & School