shepherd of the lakes lutheran school

What shepherd of the lakes lutheran school does

Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran School (SOTL) is a private, nonprofit parochial school operated as a ministry of Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Brighton, Michigan. The school provides Christ-centered education for children from age 33 months through eighth grade, structured across five program tiers: 3-Year-Old Preschool, 4-Year-Old Preschool, Prekindergarten, Elementary (K-5), and Middle School (6-8). Curricula include Enduring Faith (Religion), Core Knowledge and Wonders (ELA), Reveal Math, Elevate Science and iScience, TCI Social Studies, and Auténtico Spanish, with a Spanish immersion track beginning in Kindergarten. Technology infrastructure is built on a Google School platform with 1:1 Chromebook provisioning for grades 6-8, iPads in elementary classrooms, a K-5 technology lab, and FACTS SIS for enrollment and tuition management. NWEA adaptive assessments are administered in grades 3-8 each fall and spring, with students scoring approximately one grade level above placement on average.

SOTL is accredited by the National Lutheran School Association (NLSA) through Spring 2028 and participates in the Mid-Michigan Independent Athletic Association (MMIAA), fielding teams in cross country, volleyball, cheer, soccer, and basketball for grades 5-8. The teaching staff combines more than two centuries of certified experience, and the school maintains an academic pathway relationship with Lutheran High Westland for graduating eighth graders. Add-on services include before/after-school Extended Care ($7/hour), a hot lunch program, band and choir, praise band and Jazz Band, art, PE, library, and special education services including speech and occupational therapy.

The school's revenue model is tuition-based, with K-8 tuition ranging from $4,820 (church members) to $5,740 (non-members) annually, plus application fees of $225-$325, a $125 technology fee for middle school, and extended care billing. Discounts include sibling reductions of 10% (second child) and 20% (third+), LCMS church member pricing tiers, need-based tuition assistance, and a $100 Refer a Friend credit. The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer family enrollment managed through FACTS SIS, with marketing concentrated on the school's website, church community referrals, and word-of-mouth within the Brighton, Michigan area. The institution is governed under the oversight of the parent church, with a Principal Advisory Team supporting school leadership under Principal Juli VanDeven (in role since 2011).

Name

shepherd of the lakes lutheran school

Legal name

Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church & School

Website

https://sotlschool.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran School is a NLSA-accredited private K-8 Christian school in Brighton, Michigan, operated as a ministry of Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church and serving families with children from preschool through eighth grade through tuition-based enrollment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-8 Christian Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Educational Services (61)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Preschools (EDACABAF), Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM), Faith-Based Before/After Care Programs (Early Years) (EDACAHAE)

Keywords

• Christian elementary education
• Lutheran school programs
• Preschool education
• Private k-8 education
• Faith-based schooling

Headquarters

HQ city

Brighton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: SOTL generates revenue primarily through tuition payments from families. Tuition varies by program level (Preschool, Prekindergarten, K-8) and membership status. Additional revenue comes from extended care services, technology fees, and application/re-enrollment fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran School is a private, NLSA-accredited K-8 Christian school providing Christ-centered education from preschool (33 months) through 8th grade. The school offers tiered academic programs (3-year-old preschool, 4-year-old preschool, prekindergarten, elementary K-5, and middle school 6-8), supplemented by Extended Care, athletics, and weekly Specials (Spanish, Art, PE, Music, Library, Technology).

Product overview

Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran School is an NLSA-accredited K-8 Christian school offering a single integrated educational program structured by grade level and developmental stage. The school provides distinct programs for 3-Year-Old Preschool, 4-Year-Old Preschool, Prekindergarten, Elementary (K-5), and Middle School (6-8), all using Christ-centered curriculum including Enduring Faith (Religion), Reveal Math, Wonders/Core Knowledge (ELA), Elevate Science/iScience, TCI Social Studies, and Auténtico Spanish. Add-on services include Extended Care (before/after school care), Athletics (MMIAA sports), and weekly Specials (Spanish, Art, PE, Music, Library, Technology). The school is a Google School with 1:1 Chromebooks for grades 6-8 and uses FACTS SIS for enrollment and tuition management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 3-Year-Old Preschool Preschool program for 3-year-old students at SOTL encouraging learning through experiences and play. Themes include letters, numbers, colors, safety, shapes, and seasons. Schedule options include Tuesday/Thursday, Monday/Wednesday/Friday, or Monday-Friday from 9am-11:30am.
• 4-Year-Old Preschool Preschool program for 4-year-old students at SOTL designed to develop small muscle dexterity, communication skills, and interpersonal relationships. Classes run 9am-11:30am with schedule options including Tuesday/Thursday, Monday/Wednesday/Friday, or Monday-Friday.
• Prekindergarten Full-day prekindergarten program for young 5s enhancing social, emotional, and academic success through hands-on activities in phonics, early reading, handwriting, math, science, and social studies. Monday-Friday from 9am-11:45am.
• Elementary (K-5) Christ-centered elementary education program for Kindergarten through 5th grade with a rigorous curriculum emphasizing academic and spiritual development. Curricula include Enduring Faith (Religion), Reveal Math, Wonders (ELA), Elevate Science, and TCI Social Studies Alive!.
• Middle School (6-8) Christ-centered middle school education for grades 6-8 with emphasis on academic and spiritual development. Students receive school-provided Chromebooks (1:1 program), change classes with certified core teachers, participate in band or choir, and have access to athletics. Curriculum includes Enduring Faith, Core Knowledge (ELA), Reveal Math, iScience, TCI Social Studies, and Auténtico Spanish.
• Extended Care Before and after-school childcare program for all enrolled students (preschool through 8th grade). Morning session 7:30am-8:45am and afternoon session 11:30am-6:00pm. Billed at $7.00 per hour through FACTS account.
• Athletics Interscholastic athletics program through MMIAA conference including girls volleyball, co-ed soccer, girls cheer, boys basketball, girls basketball, and cross country for grades 5-8. Also offers praise band, Jazz Band, and running club.
• Specials (Spanish, Art, PE, Music, Library, Technology) Weekly specialty subjects including Spanish (Auténtico curriculum, starting in Kindergarten with Spanish immersion), Art (various media exploration), PE (fitness and lifetime sports), Music (vocal and instrumental), Library (weekly visits fostering reading appreciation), and Technology (computer lab instruction for K-5, 1:1 Chromebooks for 6-8).

Quantifiable outcome

• Students score approximately one grade level above their current placement on standardized NWEA assessments

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Lutheran High WestlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSOTL maintains a special relationship with Lutheran High Westland. Alumni frequently transition to this private Christian high school, suggesting informal pathway partnership for continued Lutheran education.
• Mid-Michigan Independent Athletic Association (MMIAA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSOTL participates in the Mid-Michigan Independent Athletic Association (MMIAA) athletic conference. The school fields teams in cross country, girls volleyball, girls cheer, co-ed soccer, boys basketball, and girls basketball for grades 5-8.
• National Lutheran School Association (NLSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNLSA is the official accrediting body for Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) schools. SOTL is accredited through NLSA, with next reaccreditation review in spring 2028. This accreditation affirms SOTL meets nationally recognized standards for Lutheran schools.
• FACTS (Student Information System)coreTechnology or IntegrationFACTS provides the student information system for enrollment applications, re-enrollment, tuition management, and service hour tracking. All tuition payments are processed through FACTS EFT or credit card system.
• Google School PartnershipcoreTechnology or IntegrationSOTL is a Google School committed to integrating technology into learning. Students in grades 6-8 receive school-provided Chromebooks for 1:1 device program.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Emerson School: Independent private K-8 school in Ann Arbor (~25 miles from SOTL) serving a similar tuition-paying, values-driven family segment. Compares directly on grade span, class size, and academic-rigor positioning in the SE Michigan private school market.
• Roeper School: Independent private K-12 school in Birmingham, Michigan, with a progressive/gifted-education focus. Comparable as a Michigan private school serving mission-driven families seeking alternatives to public education.
• St. Patrick Catholic School: Parochial K-8 school in Brighton, Michigan, directly competing with SOTL for the same Christ-centered family demographic in the local primary market. Closest geographic and faith-based peer.
• St. Thomas the Apostle School: Catholic K-8 school in Ann Arbor offering a faith-based academic program to a similar tuition-paying family segment. Comparable on grade span, parochial model, and regional draw.
• University Liggett School: Independent private K-12 school in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Competes for Michigan families seeking college-preparatory, values-driven education with strong extracurricular and athletics programs.
• St. Francis of Assisi School: Catholic K-8 school in Ann Arbor with a similar faith-based, tuition-paid model. Competes with SOTL for Ann Arbor-area families seeking an alternative to public K-8 education in a faith-based setting.

Broad incumbents

• Cranbrook Schools: Elite private K-12 boarding/day school in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Operates in the same Michigan private school market and competes for high-income families willing to invest in premium independent education.
• Detroit Country Day School: Large, well-established independent K-12 school in Beverly Hills, Michigan. Significantly larger and more prestigious than SOTL but competes for the same pool of Michigan families prioritizing private K-12 education.
• Greenhills School: Independent private K-12 school in Ann Arbor with a longer-established reputation and broader grade span. Competes for the same value-driven, college-preparatory families in SE Michigan but at a larger and more prestigious scale.

Emerging players

• Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor: Waldorf/Steiner K-12 school in Ann Arbor offering an alternative-pedagogy private education. Competes for the same alternative-to-public-school family segment in SE Michigan but with a distinct pedagogical model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shepherd-of-the-lakes-lutheran-school

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles30 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 →

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