It is true that Christian education comes with a fairly high price tag. Lutheran high schools across the country range in tuition from $4500 to $11000 a year. Spread out over 10 school months, that is a commitment of $450 to $1100 a month for high school education.

A few things to consider with that price tag:

• VCHS does provide financial aid for families that qualify for tuition assistance.
• VCHS works with several outside foundations that offer scholarship help.

Even with assistance, the tuition amount may still seem daunting, especially when public school is virtually free. How does a middle income family afford it?

Attitude and mindset are key! When something becomes a priority, it is easier to find a plan to make it work. If you believe that a Christian high school education is important in the academic and spiritual development of your son or daughter, then sacrifices in other areas become more doable. For instance:

• Cell phones ($60 a month) or Christian education?
• Cable ($40 a month) or Christian education?
• Internet ($40 a month) or Christian education?
• New clothes ($60 a month) or Christian education?
• Starbucks once a week ($20 a month) or Christian education?
• Gym membership ($40 a month) or Christian education?
• Saving for elaborate vacations ($60 a month) or Christian education?

If Christian education was a top priority, it is possible that $400 a month could be saved just in the examples above. In fact, this is exactly how many VCHS families are affording the tuition right now:

“Sure we had to make some sacrifices, but the struggle was well worth it. My kids worked summer jobs and set aside a portion of it for their tuition. We never had cable television and their cars were never anything to speak of. But I can confidently say that I felt they were ready academically AND spiritually for life after high school. It would have been difficult to get them ready on my own – I was happy to partner with VCHS to get that accomplished. It’s hard to write that check every month, but as I look at my kids now . . . I wouldn’t do it any differently.” (a mother of three kids who graduated from VCHS)

“I came up with every excuse under the sun to justify not sending my kids to VCHS. But when I really was honest with myself, I had to admit that I didn’t want to sacrifice my way of living and some of the things that I wanted in life for the spiritual good of my children. When I came around to viewing VCHS as making an investment for the academic and spiritual welfare of my boys, I was amazed at how much easier it seemed to make it work in our budget.” (a father of two boys who graduated from VCHS)

Committed Christian families, with the Lord’s help, are making it work to send their children to VCHS. Committed Christian parents are doing what it takes to provide Christian education for their kids. Is it often a huge sacrifice? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Nothing is more important than the daily presence of God’s Word in the lives of your son or daughter. Nothing. The future value of your investment now is well worth the sacrifice that it takes to make it happen.