Class dismissed
at Redeemer Lutheran

This will be the 60th and final year for Redeemer Lutheran School.
The private Christian school, at 3200 Ryan Ave., will close for good on Wednesday, June 11, the final day of the academic year.
Dwindling enrollment is the main reason the school is closing. Business manager Sandy Ault said there are 153 students enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grade. A decade ago, enrollment was 225.
"It’s just a shame," Ault said. "This is a fine school. I guess it’s time to move on and do something else."
Redeemer Lutheran Church and its pastor, the Rev. David Hinkelman, will remain. The church is unsure of its plan for the school building and the parish house, which offers extended care for students and features a library, computer laboratory and kindergarten classes.
Tuition at the school is $4,300, in addition to a $200 registration fee. Ault attributed the drop in enrollment to competition from charter schools and the difficulty of parents to make tuition payments.
The school has cut costs in its final couple of months, letting go a part-time teacher and principal Stuart Schwarzer.
Ault is heading operations at the school. She indicated that many of the students have already decided to attend Immanuel Lutheran School in Burholme, Holmesburg Baptist School or local Catholic schools in September.
The eighth-graders have generally gone on to some of the area’s top private and public schools, such as Holy Ghost Prep, St. Basil Academy, Central and Girls High.
There are no plans yet for a final farewell for the school. ••