Just the facts, ma'am. Just the facts.

Enrollment info is in for the 2014-15 school year, and we're happy to report that enrollment across The Lutheran Schools increased for the fourth straight year (just under 1 percent for this year). We rejoice in the opportunities God has given to our schools to share Jesus with the kids and families entrusted to our care. We rejoice that the number of children enjoying this message has increased for this year.Here's an additional breakdown of the numbers: The present enrollment of 4,050 is the highest since 2003-2004, and that was at 21 schools instead of our present 18. Nine schools are experiencing enrollment growth, while nine schools have a decrease in enrollment. The highest enrollment increase by number: 34 at CLHS. The highest increase by percentage: 10 percent at Emmaus and Woodburn. The number of choice scholarship students: 1,647 (nearly doubled from last year's totals). Number of choice scholarship students new to a school: 371 Retention rates ranged from 84 to 96 percent (the two 84-percent schools experienced administrative changes from 2013-14 to 2014-15).What does this mean?First, all of us need to encourage legislators to affirm the state's school-choice legislation. Students are getting an opportunity to be in our schools at a time when they otherwise would not have considered it. This is a great opportunity that has eternal ramifications.Second, ongoing public-relations and marketing efforts by The Lutheran Schools Partnership and from local efforts are helping us buck national trends of decreasing enrollments of non-public schools. There are plenty of other voices out there--our story needs to continue to be told and told well.Third, all of us who share the passion for Lutheran education can help slam the backdoor and ensure stronger retention numbers. Teachers who are timely in their reporting to parents, who understand and respond accordingly to the individual needs of his or her students, and who go the extra mile for their kids are needed in our schools. Parents need to be strong ambassadors of their children's school, speaking the truth in love of the great things going on at the school. Kids have great opportunities to tell the good news about our schools-- and they're quick to do so. All of these things will help increase our retention numbers.It's great to report the increased enrollment of our schools--again.