# Concordia Lutheran High School (Indiana)

Concordia Lutheran High School is a secondary school affiliated with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), serving grades 9 - 12 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States.

## History

In 1916, the LCMS congregations in Fort Wayne started the Luther Institute, a two-year secondary school teaching basic office skills such as typing and shorthand, and also business law and Bible classes. Initially the school used facilities in those congregations. In 1920, the leaders of the Luther Institute suggested a merger with the high school department of Concordia College, but no agreement was reached, so in 1924-25 the institute erected a three-story building (demolished in 2006) at the corner of Barr and Washington.
Negotiations for the merger were successfully reopened in 1934. The resulting Lutheran High School opened in 1935, using two floors of Hanser Hall on the college campus after seven Lutheran churches in Fort Wayne raised $6,000 to renovate and equip the facility. From 1935 to 1947, the college controlled the academic aspects of the high school, while the Lutheran High School Association handled the financial aspects. The high school undertook steps to receive accreditation from the state of Indiana in 1938.
By 1947, increased enrollment had strained the 300-student capacity of the building, so the association constructed a new classroom building on 1.3 acres (0.53 ha) in the southeast corner of the college campus. The new building at Anthony Boulevard and Maumee Avenue opened in 1952. The high school continued to use the athletic and other facilities of the college. In 1955, the name of the school was officially changed to Concordia Lutheran High School.
In 1957, the LCMS decided to close Concordia College. The acreage allocated to the high school was increased to 4.86 acres (1.97 ha), and six additional classrooms were constructed that same year. The next year the remainder of the college campus was sold to Indiana Technical College.
That same year, 1958, a group of Lutheran businessmen took an option on 23 acres (9.3 ha) containing Zollner Stadium at North Anthony Boulevard and St. Joe River Drive. The next year the high school association purchased that property and an additional 8 acres (3.2 ha) on the west side of Anthony for construction of the current building. After $950,000 was raised in a pledge drive, ground was broken for the new facility, designed by architect James Sherbondy, in March 1963. Classes moved to the new campus in the fall of 1964. The old campus was sold to Indiana Technical College, which uses the former high school building as its Cunningham Business Center.
In 1973, a music wing, a chapel-auditorium, and additional classrooms were constructed. More land has also been added to the campus, including 7.55 acres (3.06 ha) along Crescent Avenue donated by Fred Zollner and the 4.5-acre (1.8 ha) “Our Creators Classroom” nature area north of the school, raising the size of the campus to 40 acres (16 ha). Zollner Stadium has also been rebuilt.

## Athletics

The Concordia Lutheran Cadets compete in the Summit Athletic Conference. The school colors are maroon and white. Concordia offers the following Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) sanctioned sports:
* Baseball (boys)
* Basketball (girls and boys)
** Girls state champion - 2010, 2012
* Cross country (girls and boys)
** Girls state champion - 1983
** Boys state champion - 2019
* Football (boys)
** State champion - 2016
* Golf (girls and boys)
* Gymnastics (girls)
* Soccer (girls and boys)
* Softball (girls)
* Swim and dive (girls and boys)
* Tennis (girls and boys)
* Track and field (girls and boys)
** Boys state champion - 1999
* Volleyball (girls)
** State champion - 2014
* Wrestling (boys)

## Fine Arts

The Concordia Lutheran High School Marching Cadets received first place at the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) Class C State Finals in 2013.
Concordia Lutheran High School is home to five total choirs: Women's Chorus (beginning choir for women), Men's Chorus (beginning choir for men), Bella Voce (intermediate choir for women), A Cappella (advanced choir for sophomore through senior men and women), and the Maroon Standard also known as the Chamber Choir (students auditioned out of the bigger A Capella Choir). A Cappella is the largest choir at Concordia. A fun aspect of this choir is touring around the country yearly and many group bonding activities throughout the year. An accomplishment made by the Maroon Standard was a Jazz ISSMA State Finals win in 2022 under the direction of Tavis Schlicker. Another accomplishment in the choral department was the A Cappella choir placing 3rd at ISSMA Mixed Choir State Finals in 2023 under the direction of Tavis Schlicker.
Concordia also has many instrumental programs. They have a symphonic and concert band, concert band being entry level and symphonic being the auditioned group. Jazz Band is another option held at the high school. They have been under Todd Phillips direction. Pep band which plays during the football and basketball seasons. Along with the previously mentioned marching band, which continues to make State Finals over the past years. As said before, they had a State championship in the ISSMA Marching Band State Finals in 2013, which was under the direction of Diane Mollering. Lastly, there is an orchestra at the high school. The orchestra has continued to grow and improve over the years. The symphonic band and orchestra also go on tour just like the choir department, every year.
Fine Arts is an integral part of Concordia, with many opportunities to celebrate the gifts of students while simultaneously celebrating God. Another aspect of not only instrumental and choral departments, is our many art classes, clubs, and theater. These are both classes and extracurriculars any students can participate in. A place where all are welcomed and encouraged to join in.

## Notable alumni

* Glenn Berggoetz - director, writer, and actor
* Dave Herman - professional MMA fighter
* Eugene E. Parker - NFL agent
* Zach Panning - Professional marathon runner
* Brian Reith - Major League Baseball (MLB) player