Founded in 1875, St. Marcus Lutheran School is built on a solid foundation of faith in God and scholarly commitment to learning. Throughout our 130 plus years we have provided quality education that inspires young minds by cultivating a thirst for learning and a faith in Jesus Christ as our savior. In many ways, the history of St. Marcus Lutheran School also reflects the history of Milwaukee itself.

Dramatic Early Growth
As German immigrants came to Milwaukee in massive numbers during the second half of the 19th century many flocked to St. Marcus Lutheran Church and its school in their yearning for faith and education in the new world. During this time, St. Marcus Lutheran School welcomed as many as 300 students through its doors.

A Period of Stagnation
The changing dynamics of urban Milwaukee significantly impacted both St. Marcus Lutheran Church and the school during the post World War II era. “White flight” from the central city exacerbated by violent race riots on Milwaukee’s north side during the late 1960’s lead to a significant decline in both church membership and school attendance. By 1981 the student population had bottomed out at 56 students.

Striving for Urban Revitalization
In the 1990’s St. Marcus Lutheran Church and School began taking a series of steps to revitalize the school and enhance its role as a multi-cultural pillar of faith and education in Milwaukee’s Brewers Hill neighborhood.

First, a four-year-old kindergarten program was added, and then in 1998 the congregation resolved to allow students to enter the school through the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP). This program enables St. Marcus Lutheran School to continue to serve the children of the congregation, as well as disadvantaged urban youths in need of better educational options. Through high academic standards and a truly integrated student body, St. Marcus Lutheran School has become a beacon of hope and faith, as well as a model for other schools to follow.

As the congregation celebrated the 125th anniversary of the church and school in the year 2000, student enrollment had increased to over 100. It was the 2002-2003 school year however, that was the most pivotal in the recent history of St. Marcus Lutheran School. It was during this year that construction began on a new five million dollar facility. Faith in God and the dedicated commitment of school staff carried St. Marcus through this challenging time as the school temporarily relocated to a vacant YMCA building while the student population doubled to approximately 220 students.

The new school building, which opened during the 2003-2004 school year, has allowed the school to grow to its current size of almost 280 students. Together, students, parents, faculty, and congregational leaders are working diligently to ensure that the school’s history of providing quality, Christian education, continues throughout the 21st century.