St Marcus Lutheran Church

What St Marcus Lutheran Church does

St. Marcus Ministries is a Milwaukee-based non-profit that operates a Lutheran church and a K3-8 private Christian school under a single organizational umbrella, headquartered at 2215 North Palmer Street. The school enrolls 1,075 students across three campuses (North Avenue, Center Street, and Karl J. Schlueter), with 97% of families using Wisconsin's Milwaukee Parental Choice Program vouchers to fund tuition. The organization serves urban Milwaukee families seeking faith-integrated education, layered with wraparound services including before/after care, special education, student counseling, athletics, summer programs, the Discover America travel curriculum (grades 5-8), and family empowerment programming (Financial Empowerment, Parent Advocacy, Fusion Youth Ministry for 7th-12th graders).

Revenue is assembled from four streams: per-pupil state voucher funding, charitable donations (Annual Fund, Adopt a Classroom at $3,000 per unit, capital campaign), before/after care fees, and church tithes. The Milwaukee voucher rate covers most of the cost of education, but the school must raise approximately $2,500 per child annually to bridge the gap to actual operating cost — funded primarily through donor cultivation. The technology stack is conventional K-12 SaaS (Skyward, Google Classroom, Nutrislice, ParentSquare); the school holds no proprietary technology, no API, and no AI capabilities, and the organization is not an investment-eligible entity in the conventional PE/VC sense.

Strategic priorities are capacity expansion and capital fundraising. The Courage to Commit Campaign Phase II is raising $8-10 million for a third Harambee neighborhood campus and $1.6 million for endowment, with a stated goal of growing enrollment to 1,500 students (a roughly 40% increase over current). A September 2025 expansion already added capacity for 200 additional students. The USDA Community Eligibility Provision designation for 2025-26 enables free meals for all students, and the school maintains a multi-partner after-care ecosystem (Boys & Girls Club, COA, Labor of Love, Pristine Childcare, Jacarrie's Kicks for Kids) to extend the service offering.

Name

St Marcus Lutheran Church

Legal name

St. Marcus

Website

https://stmarcus.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

St. Marcus Ministries operates a Milwaukee-based Lutheran church and K3-8 private Christian school (1,075 students, 97% voucher-funded) across three campuses, offering faith-integrated academics with wraparound services, before/after care, and family empowerment programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Christian K-8 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Support Services (6117), Child Care Services (6244), Religious Organizations (8131), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Membership Organizations (8600), 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), Mental Health Counseling & Therapy Services (K–12) (EDAJALAG), Family & Parent Support Services (Parent Coaching, Advocacy) (EDAJALAK)

Keywords

• Private christian education
• K-8 school programs
• Early childhood education
• Before and after care
• School choice voucher

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Voucher Funding: The school participates in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program. Currently 1,075 students attend the school, with 97% using vouchers to attend. This government-funded school choice program provides per-pupil funding.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Annual Fund gifts, restricted fund donations, capital campaign contributions, and planned giving. The Courage to Commit Campaign Phase II seeks $8-10 million for capital expansion and $1.6 million for endowment.
3. Before and After Care Services: Fee-based before and after care programs at multiple campuses, with partnerships including Labor of Love, Pristine Childcare, Boys & Girls Club, and COA Youth & Family Services.
4. Church Tithes and Offerings: Church congregation members contribute through regular giving, which supports church operations and potentially cross-subsidizes school operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

St. Marcus Ministries operates a Lutheran church and K3-8 private Christian school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, providing faith-integrated academic instruction from early childhood (K3) through 8th grade. The school participates in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (voucher program), serving approximately 1,075 students across three campuses. Supporting offerings include before/after care, special education, student counseling, the Discover America travel program, athletics, family empowerment services, and faith-based youth ministry.

Product overview

St. Marcus Ministries operates a unified K3-8 private Christian school (participating in Milwaukee's Parental Choice Program with ~1,075 students) combined with church ministry programs. The academic portfolio spans Early Childhood (K3-K4), Primary School (K5-4th grade), and Middle School (5th-8th grade). Supporting programs include Discover America educational travel (5th-8th), Before & After Care across three campuses, Special Education, Student Counseling, Athletics, and Summer Programs. Family support includes Financial Empowerment classes and Fusion Youth Ministry. Fundraising programs include Adopt a Classroom ($3,000/classroom) and Legacy of Love planned giving. The school also participates in federal nutrition programs (CEP school).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• K3-8 Academic Programs Private Christian school offering comprehensive academic instruction from K3 through 8th grade, participating in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program with approximately 1,075 students, 97% using vouchers. Programs include Early Childhood (K3-K4), Primary School (K5-4th), and Middle School (5th-8th).
• Discover America Educational Travel Program Educational travel program for 5th-8th grade students with regional trips: 5th grade explores Wisconsin, 6th grade visits South Dakota Badlands and Mount Rushmore, 7th grade explores the Southwest and Arizona, 8th grade Civil Rights experience in the Southeast. Fees: $275 for 5th-6th grade, $350 for 7th-8th grade.
• Before & After Care Services Fee-based childcare services at three campuses (North Avenue, Center Street, Karl J. Schlueter) offering before care from 7:00-7:30am and after care until 5:00-6:00pm, with partnerships including Boys & Girls Club, COA Youth & Family Services, Labor of Love, Pristine Childcare, and Jacarrie's Kicks for Kids.
• Special Education Services Specialized educational services for students with special needs, providing individualized instruction and support within the St. Marcus academic program.
• Student Counseling Social-emotional support services for students including mental health resources and guidance counseling within the St. Marcus academic setting.
• Summer School & Summer Camps Extended learning programs during summer months for academic enrichment and recreational activities offered to St. Marcus students.
• Athletics Program Sports and physical education programs for St. Marcus students, with dedicated athletics website and calendar covering multiple sports activities.
• Family Empowerment Program Family support services including Financial Empowerment classes (budgeting, credit improvement, homeownership readiness), Parent Alignment programs, and Parent Advocacy organizing for St. Marcus families.
• Fusion Youth Ministry Faith-based youth ministry for 7th-12th graders meeting Sundays 10:00am-12:00pm with worship and fellowship activities.
• Adopt a Classroom Donation Program Donation program allowing individuals to collectively support an entire classroom of approximately 30 students with a $3,000 investment to bridge the gap between state voucher funding and actual education costs. Available as single payment or monthly installments.
• Legacy of Love Planned Giving Program Estate planning and planned giving program allowing supporters to leave legacy gifts through bequests, life insurance, IRAs, and charitable trusts to benefit future generations of St. Marcus students.
• School Nutrition Programs Participation in USDA School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, After School Snack Program, and Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program. Designated as CEP (Community Eligibility Provision) school providing free breakfast and lunch to all students for the 25-26 school year.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,075 students currently enrolled with 97% using vouchers
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Boys & Girls Club of Greater MilwaukeecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership for before and after care services. The Boys & Girls Club provides after school programming at their Pieper-Hillside facility (611 W Cherry St). St. Marcus bus transports students to the facility. Wisconsin Shares may be used. Limited to 30 seats.
• COA Youth & Family ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCOA provides before and after care services at their Riverwest facility (909 E. Garfield Ave). Services follow MPS calendar. Priority given to families previously enrolled at COA.
• Labor of Love (Dixon Enterprises)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAfter school program led by Julie Borum. Includes homework assistance, Christ-centered lessons, social & emotional well-being activities, arts & crafts, and daily snacks. Serves grades K4-6th at North Avenue Campus and Karl J. Schlueter Campus.
• Pristine ChildcarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOffers after school care in partnership with Dixon Enterprises (Labor of Love). Regular childcare from 3-5pm with literacy support using Labor of Love curriculum after 5pm. Transportation provided from St. Marcus.
• Jacarrie's Kicks for KidscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmerging Scholars after school program includes homework assistance, fun workshops, outdoor/indoor play, tutoring, mentoring, character development, and daily snack. Serves grades K4-8th at North Avenue and Center Street Campuses.
• Lutheran Legacy FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral partner for planned giving assistance. Donors are encouraged to consult Lutheran Legacy Foundation for assistance with planned gifts such as bequests, life insurance, IRAs, and charitable trusts.
• USDA School Breakfast and Lunch ProgramscoreOthersSt. Marcus participates in USDA School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, After School Snack Program, and Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program. School designated as CEP (Community Eligibility Provision) for 25-26 school year allowing all children to receive free breakfast and lunch.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Marquette University High School: Jesuit Catholic all-boys high school in Milwaukee. Faith-based urban education peer serving similar Milwaukee families, though at the secondary level rather than K-8.
• Pius XI Catholic High School: Catholic high school in Milwaukee serving urban and suburban families. Comparable faith-based urban mission though operating at secondary level.
• Hmong American Peace Academy: K-12 charter school in Milwaukee serving a similar urban demographic. Comparable in mission focus on Milwaukee underserved communities and participation in school choice funding.

Direct peers

• Messmer Catholic Schools: Multi-campus Catholic K-8 school system in Milwaukee participating in the Parental Choice Program. Similar scale and faith-based urban education delivery to St. Marcus.
• Hope Christian Schools: Faith-based K-12 school system in Milwaukee participating in the same Parental Choice Program. Directly comparable in target families, voucher reliance, and faith-integrated urban education model.
• Notre Dame School of Milwaukee: Catholic K3-8 school in Milwaukee serving urban families through the school choice program. Comparable in faith-based mission, voucher-dependent funding, and wraparound family services.
• Seeds of Health: Non-profit K-8 school network in Milwaukee serving urban families. Comparable in mission, target demographics, and Parental Choice Program participation.
• Milwaukee College Prep: Non-profit K-8 charter school network serving Milwaukee urban families via school choice funding. Comparable in enrollment scale, urban target market, and reliance on public funding mechanisms.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights3 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzlRKdXjm7i2XAjftK3qJCA
• Facebookfacebook.com/stmarcuschurch
• Instagraminstagram.com/stmarcuschurch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/st-marcus-lutheran-church

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 St Marcus Lutheran Church