Lahr-Well Academy has been in existence since the 1984/1985 academic year. With more than 30 years of research and development in grades pre-K through 12th, nationally standardized test scores support that after 4-6 years’ instruction, students are generally testing 2-6 years beyond chronological age. To our knowledge, an equal program is nonexistent in the United States.

Students, from the age of 4 through 12th grade, study five foreign languages: Chinese, French, German, Italian and Spanish; Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Engineering, Physics, Math, Math Word Problems … (STEM); hands-on Art, through world history (STEaM); Music through world history; World History; U.S. History; U.S. Constitution; Illinois Constitution; World Geography, English Grammar, Composition, Critical Thinking, Macro Economics, Micro Economics, and Computer Skills.

Every student also has a tailored, individualized curriculum. Students work in 8-10 areas: phonics, reading, reading comprehension, measurement, place-values, fractions, decimals, percents, geometry, algebra, time, money, map skills, charts, graphs, and penmanship. Older students (12/13 years old) add Calculus, World Literary Classics, and World Philosophy.

The general day at the Academy moves quickly, yet in an unstressed manner. Students rarely realize how much they are accomplishing. When one observes classes, one sees students (learning-disabled, average, gifted) relaxed, but focused.

This amazing curriculum is enhanced by 8-10 annual field trips which alternate among:

• a professionally-directed, archaeological dig (every other year);
• St. Louis Science Center;
• St. Louis Art Museum; St. Louis Zoo;
• St. Louis Botanical Gardens (Chinese and Japanese);
• St. Louis History Museum;
• Renaissance and Baroque cathedrals (art and architectural studies);
• a Greek or Russian Orthodox Church, and/or a Jewish Synagogue (religion);
• Relleke Pumpkin Farm (Levels I and II only);
• Fitz’s or an “elegant” restaurant (at Christmas );
• the Old St. Louis Capitol Building (Dred Scott reenactment);
• Springfield-Lincoln Museum;
• the St. Louis Holocaust Museum (Levels III and IV only);
• The Piasa Bird (Alton);
• Lewis & Clark Museum; Alton Underground Railroad;
• Alton Lock and Dam Museum;
• The Edwardsville Fire House (Levels I and II only);
• McKendree University (Model United Nations: Levels III & IV);
• St. Louis Genome Institute;
• Carlinville: Lake Williamson;
• and an occasional trip to the Theater to see a film that relates to our current field of study.

Lahr-Well Christian Academy (preK-grade 12) works in tandem with parents to instill in each student a passion for life-long learning by educating the “whole” child. The dedicated, nurturing teachers of the Academy work as a team to foster knowledge and skills that promote a balance of mind, body, and character, preparing students for a lifetime of individual achievement, as well as U.S. Patriotism and world leadership.

We look forward to an exciting year with your children.

Sincerely,

Dr. Almeda M. Lahr-Well