1953 – Enrollment at this time was 94 students.  The faculty consisted of three teachers for grades 1-8.  The “old wing” of our present structure was dedicated in 1950.  The “new wing” of our present structure was dedicated in 1959.  Mr. Kaiser replaced Mr. Bauer as principal in 1961.

1963 – The enrollment stood at 225 students in 1963.  The faculty consisted of 7 teachers for grades 1-8.  In 1967, the lower level facilities were renovated and additional classrooms built.

1973 – The enrollment in 1973 was 415 students.  The nursery program and satellite program with St. Stephen, Drayton Plains, were begun in this decade.

1983 – Enrollment in grades K-8 stood at 485 students including students from the inter-parish programs of St. Stephen (Drayton Plains), Gethsemane (Rochester), and two mission congregations in Rochester, Crown of Life and Shepherd of the Hills.

1986 – After 16 years of inter-parish relations, St. Stephen became an independent school with 200 students enrolled.  A major renovation project was completed at St. John, giving us a media center, music room, art room, and additional classrooms.  Nationwide recognition also came to St. John in 1986 with an award as an exemplary school.

1994 – St. John and Living Word Lutheran Church, a mission congregation begun with sponsorship by St. John, joined hands in a “Sharing to Build – Building to Share” campaign which resulted in a North Campus building at Gunn and Rochester Roads, housing St. John K-3 classrooms and worship and pre-school facilities for Living Word.

1996 – St. John’s enrollment made it the largest Lutheran school in the United States, with 728 students, including 83 pre-schoolers.  Ground was broken on June 16 for the North Campus/Living Word facility.   Dr. William Hinz accepts a call to become a Texas District educational executive.  In his absence, Dr. Len Bassett was instrumental in helping with the development of the North Campus.  THE LORD CONTINUES TO SHOWER BLESSINGS UPON BLESSINGS AS WE CONTINUE EDUCATING FOR ETERNITY!

1997 – Dr. Bassett, following the untimely death of his teaching wife, Judy Bassett, accepted a call to provide leadership in Concordia College-Seward, Nebraska’s graduate school.

1998- Our school year began with the opening of our North Campus.  Our enrollment at this time was 754 students.  Much was learned this year about the challenge of functioning with two different locations, as we continue to work together and enjoy the graciousness of the Lord. While several St. John teachers moved to take positions elsewhere, it was blessed with a number of new teachers with vast experience, degrees and enthusiasm.  Dr. H. James Boldt became principal, replacing Mr. Bruce Gremel, the congregation’s Director of Christian Care, who served as an interim principal.  Mr. Gil Loewe, Athletic Director was called and also became an Assistant Principal at the Main Campus.

1999 – Mr. Thomas Weiss became Assistant Principal of the North Campus.  The challenges of the Age of Technology are forcing the school to explore creative ways of meeting computer-age expectations of both parents and students.  Nevertheless, as we enter the 21^st century we optimistically state, “Look what is and imagine what can be!  The best is yet to come!”

2000 – Miss Beverly Koch became Interim Assistant Principal of the Main Campus.  With the Renovation of the Church, there are many adjustments taking place in school operations.  A new sanctioned dress standard was introduced.  New teachers were:  Mrs. Leah Jones (1), Mrs. Kristina Glanville (K), Mrs. Margie Weiss (4), Miss Linda Petros (PS Director), Mrs. Susan Pfund (1), Mrs. Carol Stathakis (1), Mrs. Barb Shaffer (3), Miss Lisa Singleton (4), Miss Kristen Nelson (4), Mr. David Faerber (5), Mrs. Linda Eastman (Spanish) and Mrs. Susan Herald (Technology).  God is faithful as He provides servants to teach His Word

2001 – Mr. Thomas Weiss became Principal after the retirement of Dr. H. James Boldt.  Miss Beverly Koch became the Assistant Principal of the Main Campus.  Mr. Julian Petzold was contracted to be the part-time Assistant Principal of our North Campus.  New teachers are:  Mrs. Lynne Westcott (K), Mrs. Elizabeth Nelson (1), Mrs. Linda Sasse (2), Mrs. Kara Horvath (3), Miss Pamela Wenzel (3), Miss Dawne Herzog (4), Mr. Brian L’Heureux (4), Mrs. Chris Rebeck moved from 3^rd to 4^th, and Mr. Gary Nelson (5).

2002 – The administration and most of the faculty returned for the new school year.  Mrs. Kimberly Etheridge was added to the staff as first grade teacher and Mrs. Debra Rank came on part-time to teach eighth grade history.  The stage area in the gym was converted to a storage room, several classrooms got new flooring and air conditioning, and the office area was renovated.  Transition plans were developed with Living Word beginning their school with a kindergarten in the fall.

2003 – St. John Lutheran School witnessed the birth of its daughter congregation’s school with over 100 students in its first year as a PK-8^th grade school.  To make room for Living Word Lutheran School, St. John moved its kindergarten and third grades to Main Campus.  St. John began the school year with two sections of kindergarten, 2^nd, 3^rd, 5^th, and 6^th grades.  The remaining grade levels had one section apiece.  Four more classrooms were upgraded with new flooring, sinks, and cabinets.  Two classrooms on the building’s south side were also air-conditioned.  

2004 – After 20 plus years of having some St. John students “farmed out” to other campuses, the entire student body is again on one site with 328 students in PS-Grade 8.  In order to make room for the additional students, a new room was constructed in part of the media center.  The eighth grade is using the music room for their home room.  Air conditioning was added to the new classroom (7^th grade), the media center, and room 13 (Mr. Frobel’s room).  A new reading series from Houghton-Mifflin was purchased and the Shurley method of language instruction was adopted in fourth grade.  The second annual school auction was held in October.

2005 – A new all-day kindergarten has been added in addition to the existing half-day program.  Sara Anderson was added to the staff to teach the half-day program.  St. John Lutheran School is in the beginning stages of building the enrollment from the core of the congregation and reaching out to the community as space allows.  The Shurley method of language instruction has been adopted from grades 2-8 this year.  Mr. Tim Grothaus will be honored for 25 years of teaching and Mrs. Jan Brautnick will be retiring after this school year.

2007 - We say good-bye and God Bless to retiring Principal Mr. Thomas Weiss and to long time teacher, Miss Lucy Moerer.  We also welcome Mr. Mychal Thom as our new Principal.