For Mayer Lutheran High School (MLHS), it’s time to celebrate the old and plan for the new.

“The first year of classes was in 1961,” said Joel Landskroener, executive director of Mayer Lutheran High School.

Now, 50 years later, MLHS is preparing for a $6.5 million expansion project.

The expansion will provide an intuitive central entrance, classrooms, parking space, staff offices, a spacious commons area, two locker rooms, storage space, and a large fieldhouse.

The master plan was developed in 2008, and research was conducted throughout 2009. In 2010, the school focused on getting its capital campaign ready.

So far, $800,000 has been raised in pledges and gifts.

“It’s pretty good, especially for early on,” Landskroener said.

Officials hope to start construction in 2012, but that will depend on how much financial support the school receives.

“If we don’t have the money to build, then we’ll just have to be patient and wait,” Landskroener said, adding that the school is careful to avoid unnecessary debt.

“We’re careful with people’s donations,” he said.

Since the school was constructed 50 years ago, there have been four remodeling/addition projects. The most recent one was the fine arts center, built in 1997.

The current expansion plan will be conducted in phases, with the first being the new fieldhouse.

The fieldhouse will eliminate the need to rent gym space, and it will also allow the existing gym to be used exclusively for competitions. Once the fieldhouse is complete, the current gym will be utilized for competitions.

Although the physical space of MLHS is changing, the school’s mission to prepare Christian leaders has remained constant through the decades.

The school was founded in 1960 on a plot of land purchased from Curtis and Arlys Honebrink.

“There were a number of founders,” Landskroener said. “Pastor John Melchert was probably one of the main forces behind the school.”

The first year at MLHS was made up of only freshmen and sophomores, so the first class graduated in 1964.

“Our alumni are probably one of the most amazing groups of people you’ve ever seen,” Landskroener said. “We have people all over the world.”

An all-school reunion and open house is planned Friday through Sunday, June 29-July 1.

“That will be our 50th anniversary celebration,” Landskroener said.

Several activities are being planned, including an evening concert, three-on-three basketball tournament, and music throughout the day. Individual graduating classes will also have separate reunions that weekend.

“You’ll be surprised how many people will be there,” Landskroener said, explaining that of the nearly 3,000 alumni, many are still in contact with the school.

“They support the high school in a lot of ways,” he said.

People from a variety of backgrounds appreciate the caring environment MLHS provides.

“We really consider ourselves a community school, not just a Lutheran school,” Landskroener said.

To learn about donating/volunteering to help the expansion project, call Landskroener at (952) 657-2251 ext. 305 or e-mail jlandskroener@lhsmayer.org.

For more information about MLHS, go to www.lhsmayer.mn.org.

“Preparing the next generation of Christian leaders.”

Mayer Lutheran High School is a Lutheran community, committed to providing a foundation of Christian education. Students of all denominations are welcome in MLHS.

Students commute from 52 surrounding communities (distances of up to 30 miles), including Hutchinson, Shakopee, Buffalo, and Wayzata.

Situated in a beautiful rural setting on 56 acres, the campus has an ever-expanding facility, including a 1997 addition of a modern fine arts facility.

The faculty members at Lutheran High School in Mayer are dedicated individuals committed to Christian education. They act as friends, advisors, coaches, and mentors to the students, in addition to providing a rigorous academic experience.

MLHS’s student/faculty ratio is 14:1, allowing continuous opportunities for individual help and attention.

Technology opportunities at MLHS challenge students to stay current and knowledgeable in an ever-changing world.

Opportunities include exposure to digital photography, multi-media presentations, computer systems, programming, and robotics.

While more than 90 percent of Mayer Lutheran graduates continue their formal education beyond high school, the curriculum is designed to provide for all levels of learning.

Post-secondary opportunities, independent studies, and individual programs allow each student to build a challenging schedule to fit his or her individual interests and strengths.

Along with school activities, students are given many opportunities to develop new relationships, as well as maintain involvement with family, work, church, and community.

More than 90 percent of all students are involved in school-sponsored co-curricular activities, including athletics, drama, National Honor Society, yearbook, chess, fine arts, mission trips, and more.

Athletics include football, volleyball, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, dance, wrestling, baseball, softball, boys and girls track, and boys and girls swimming.

Busing is available from many locations, including the Waconia, Chaska, Watertown, Excelsior, and Howard Lake areas. Assistance with car-pool arrangements is also provided.

In an effort to assist those families who wish to have their student enrolled at Lutheran High School Mayer, the school has made financial aid available to families on a need-basis only.

Last year, more than $250,000 was distributed for student aid. Application forms are available upon request.

School Profile

Executive Director: Joel Landskroener; Principal: Kevin Wilaby; Grades: nine through 12; Assistant Principal/Activities Director: Tim Bierbaum; Director of Spiritual Life: Dave Lane; Enrollment: 250; Athletic Conference: Minnesota River; Address: 305 5th St. NE, Mayer, MN 55360; Phone number: (952) 657-2251; www.lhsmayer.org