History of
Immanuel Lutheran School
Polk, Nebraska

The original church building served as church and school until a new church was dedicated in 1903. This building was later moved to another location on the church property but continued to be used as the school building until 1960. On October 4, 1960, the congregation had the opportunity to purchase the former High Prairie Public School north of Polk. By October 18th, the building, a three-room structure, was moved to its present location and placed on a high foundation. The resulting basement provides an excellent play area. The ceiling is low enough to introduce some special challenges to the games of basketball and volleyball, but this is a much better indoor play area than is available in many other small rural schools. In 1986, as a centennial project, new windows and siding were installed. The building has been well-maintained and serves the needs of its students quite adequately.

Besides the physical changes of buildings that have housed the school, Immanuel Lutheran School has seen other changes with the changing times in its many years of existence. For many years, children walked several miles to school or came by wagon or on horseback. For several years in the 1970's and early 1980's, an association of parents operated vans that provided transportation to and from school and school activities. In the early years, subjects were taught in German in the morning and in English in the afternoon. This practice continued until World War I when anti-German sentiments prompted the decision to drop the use of the German language in the school. Changes in technology have also introduced modern office machines and classroom computers.

When the school first opened, classes were taught by the pastors. In 1892, Miss J. Rademacher came to teach forty pupils at a salary of $20 a month. When she left in 1895, the pastors again taught until 1907. During most of its history, Immanuel Lutheran School has been a one-teacher school. From 1969-1984 a primary teaching position was added. There was only one school term, 1953-54, when the school was closed because the congregation was unable to secure a teacher. Otherwise the school has been in continuous operation since 1886. There were only four students enrolled for the 1987-88 and 1988-89 school years, but the congregation's dedication to Christian education kept the school in operation, and their efforts were blessed by increased enrollments in the following years. Fourteen students are currently enrolled for the 2008-2009 school year.