Today we’d like to introduce you to Deena Knudsen Hephatha Lutheran Church & School.
Hi Deena Knudsen, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Hephatha Lutheran School is a private Christian school that was established with a vision to minister and educate the young people in a new, booming community. The Early Childhood Education program was founded in 1977, and K-8th followed in 1983. Through the years, the school has grown and become an environment that the faculty members, church members, and attending families feel blessed to call home. Hephatha is fully-accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and National Lutheran School Accreditation, and serves Early Childhood and K-8th.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Hephatha, like many schools in our community, has experienced enrollment shifts due to global factors such as housing booms, market changes, and inflation; however, our program remains consistent in offering a high-quality, Christ-centered program, which is invariably something families are looking for! God continues to bless our enrollment through each season.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Hephatha Lutheran School, we specialize in providing a well-rounded education that nurtures the whole child: academically, spiritually, and creatively. We’re especially known for our outstanding music program and our comprehensive resource program, both of which reflect our commitment to individualized learning. Our low student-to-teacher ratio allows us to truly know each child and tailor their education to their unique strengths, challenges, and interests.
What sets us apart is our ability to help students discover who they are and what drives them. We’re not just focused on academic success…We’re focused on helping each child grow into the person God created them to be.
We are most proud of living out the very meaning of our name, Hephatha, which means “be opened.” Every day, we see our students being opened — to learning, to faith, to creativity, and to their fullest potential.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson is that God’s plan is always greater than our own. When we trust Him to lead our school, our students, and our community, He opens doors we never imagined. Through the years, we’ve learned that true education goes far beyond academics—it’s about nurturing hearts and minds in faith, service, and love. When faith leads learning, everything else follows!
Pricing:
- Our tuition falls right in the middle of our community schools — we like to “live in the middle,” offering exceptional value without being the most expensive or the least.
- Hephatha’s music, athletics, resource and childcare are minimal, as we want the full Hephatha experience to be affordable; a “one stop shop”, if you will.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://school.hephatha.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hephatha_lutheran/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HephathaLutheranSchool
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hephatha_Lutheran/playlists
