“Through God’s Word, we nurture children in Christian faith within the context of sound academic instruction and help our students reflect Christ in all their relationships.”

About Emmanuel-St. Michael Lutheran School

Emmanuel – St. Michael Lutheran School is an Interparish school cooperatively supported by Emmanuel and St. Michael congregations of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.  Our school helps each student achieve his or her personal best through the care and commitment of talented teachers, small classes and a structured atmosphere that builds on a traditional, core curriculum, yet offers enough flexibility to meet specific, individual needs. 

At ESM our children celebrate and honor the true meaning of religious holidays.  Students not only attend weekly chapel services but expand their faith and understanding of the Bible as its messages are built into our curriculum.   

Parents can enjoy the assurance and sense of security that comes with knowing their children are in a place that protects both their physical and spiritual needs.   Each facility is equipped with security monitors, precautions and procedures.  But just as important, the school’s atmosphere is a natural filter for many of the negative cultural influences that exist outside school walls.  It’s a safe place to learn. 

Children enroll in grades Kindergarten through grade 8, with kindergarten through grade two located at the Getz Road Campus and grades three through eight at the Union Street Campus.

Students attend from the Fort Wayne metropolitan, suburban, and surrounding communities.

Facts about ESM 

• Established in 1868 

• Since 1962, the school has been supported jointly by Emmanuel Lutheran and St. Michael Lutheran Churches 

• Accredited by the State of Indiana and the National Association of Lutheran Schools 

• Enrollment for 2006 – 2007 is 233 students.   

• Student-teacher ratio is 15 to 1. 

• ESM welcomes students from many ethnic backgrounds and from non-Lutheran religious traditions. 

• Half of our teachers have master’s degrees and many others have pursued study beyond the bachelors degree 

• Last year 18 families were supported by a total of $33,000 in scholarship funds. 

• The school is located on two campuses, each geared to the age level of its students. 

Interparish School Board
2006 – 2007

An Interparish School Board provides for the efficient management of the school program and carries out the aims and objectives to provide elementary education with a Christ-centered point of view.  Members for the 2006-2007 school year are:           

History of Emmanuel-St. Michael Lutheran School

The early history of our school parallels the growth of the German community in Fort Wayne.  As that community expanded, new churches were founded.  In 1867 a two-room school and parsonage were built for a new church on the west side of the city.  The name, Emmanuel, which means, "God With Us", was selected by the group that formed the congregation in August, 1867. Emmanuel Lutheran Church was dedicated August 29, 1869.  Teacher D. Lindemann, who was elected secretary of the new congregation, taught in the new school.

The school expanded in 1871 with two more classrooms and a large room for congregational meetings. By 1878, the school numbered between 300-400 students in five classrooms. That year Gustav Kampe was called as a teacher and he served until his retirement in 1935. His teaching career covered 62 continuous years of teaching, the last 57 at Emmanuel.

The first English services were introduced at the church in 1903. The first radio broadcast from Emmanuel was made in 1928. And, despite the Great Depression, Emmanuel purchased a school bus to reach students in outlying areas.  A kindergarten was established in 1941, taught by Emmanuel's first female teacher.  

St. Michael Lutheran Church, established as a mission congregation on the far west side of the city in 1956, sought to join their elementary school efforts with Emmanuel congregation in 1962. An interparish school was formed to bring children in grades 1 through 8 to the Union Street campus.  Kindergarten classrooms were located at both parish locations and served the parishes and the community for many years.  When St. Michael added on to their existing facility, a new kindergarten classroom was part of that plan.  Further growth and grade level numbers of 27 to 36 students led to the forming of two campuses in 2001.