When new families visit St. John's, they will notice a number of differences between St. John's and other schools. Our quality academics, small class sizes, and excellent teaching staff are just a few qualities that families often note. Although we are proud of these qualities, our most notable difference is that we are a Christian school, rooted in the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ. ​

St. John's Lutheran Church and School is part of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), and our faith in Jesus permeates everything that we do. Rev. Jacob Ehrhard, who is the Church and School Pastor, states, "While our faith is explicit in our religion classes, it also impacts every other discipline. As our students explore and learn about the world in which they live, they do so with the understanding that they have been created by God as beloved children, that they are redeemed by the sacrifice of Jesus, and that they are made holy by the Spirit of God." Throughout the day, students pray together, learn Bible passages, and are taught lessons through the lens of faith. "Teachers at St. John's exemplify their faith to our students by modeling a Christian life. By leading classroom prayers and devotions, our teachers encourage a robust devotional life", says Rev. Ehrhard. Here at St. John's, we want our students to grow in their own faith in Jesus and to learn to love Him, as well as their neighbors, more.

In addition to the presence of faith in the classrooms, our entire school comes together once a week to worship as a community. During chapel, Rev. Ehrhard and Principal Green often lead a message and the students help lead the services through music, readings, and skits. "When our students and teachers worship together in chapel, they edify each other by confessing their faith in word and song", Rev. Ehrhard explains. Participating in chapel allows students to learn how to share their faith with others, lead worship, and recognize that they are part of a larger community of believers. 

Chapel is also a time when we help students develop a heart for service. Every month, we focus our efforts on a different Chicago non-profit. We'll often invite guest speakers from these organizations to speak to our students during chapel. Students also have the opportunity to support these organizations with their time, resources, and prayers. Our prayer is that our students will continue to serve their communities, even after they graduate from St. John's. ​