History

God has richly blessed CLHS throughout its history. In these 25 plus years there have been many challenges. God has guided us through them all. Classes have been held in 6 cities and 7 locations. Our permanent home in Wildomar is a testimony to God's goodness.

This page is a beginning. It is hoped that more historical information and images will be added. If you have images or information that you feel would be appropriate for this page, email webmaster@clhs-chawks.org with your submissions.


   
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The History of California Lutheran High School
   
1972 The history of CLHS goes back to 1972, when the California Delegate Conference authorized a committee to initiate the founding of a Lutheran high school in California.

1975 The first meeting of the CLHS Association was held in Bakersfield and adopted a constitution and elected a Board of Directors. The following year the association was incorporated as a non-profit educational institution.

1977 The school opened in Garden Grove with Rev. Milton Burk as the first principal. Ten students enrolled in 9th grade, on the King of Kings Church premises.

1979 The high school moved to Tustin, leasing a public elementary school. It kept adding one grade per year, reaching a four-year status in 1980. The first graduation was held in June 1981.

1982 The student body reached 78 students with five full-time and two part-time instructors. Kenric Peterson became the second principal.

1984 The enrollment reached 100 students with over 50 boarding students. The Renata Greder estate permitted the high school to purchase 54 acres of property in Rancho California in 1985.

1990 After considering and offering to purchase six other sites, the Association sold the Rancho California property for $600,000. Realizing that they would not be able to purchase a site in Orange or Los Angeles Counties, the association looked to Riverside County. Within three years the present site in Wildomar was purchased for one million dollars.

1994 The high school moved onto the property in Wildomar but suffered a loss of many students from the Orange County area; enrollment dropped into the fifties. Pastor Gregory Bork accepted the Call to become the third principal in 1995.

1998 An architect began drawing a building and a capital fund drive was initiated. A development director was called to the staff.

2000 The Association gave approval of plans to go ahead with engineering and the permit process.

2001 The construction of the new school began in late 2001 with completion set for the following summer.

2002 On September 1, over 700 members and friends of the association gathered for the building dedication. Enrollment reached 118.