Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School (KMLHS) is a four-year Lutheran high school in the Town of Jackson, Wisconsin, located approximately 20 miles northwest of Milwaukee. The school is affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).
The high school educates students from a large geographic area including Grafton, Mequon, West Bend, Hartford, and Menomonee Falls. As of the 2019-2020 school year, KMLHS has an enrollment of 508 students. This was the first time the high school saw its student population surpass 500. For the 2017-2018 school year, KMLHS received an Overall Accountability Rating of "Significantly Exceeds Expectations" from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
History
KMLHS opened in 1974 with an enrollment of 35 students in grades nine and ten. The high school was temporarily located at Christ Lutheran Church in the village of Jackson. In 1976, KMLHS broke ground on its 48 acre campus on Division Road in Jackson. The high school has expanded through additions in 1980, 1993, 2001, and 2012.
Construction is currently underway on a $4.7 million expansion that will include new classrooms and science labs.
Academics
Advanced mathematics classes include statistics, pre-calculus, and AP calculus, as well as calculus 1, 2, and 3 offered as CAPP dual-credit courses through the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh. Advanced science classes include anatomy, honors anatomy, physics, chemistry, honors chemistry, and AP chemistry. Foreign languages offered are German, Spanish, and Latin.
Accreditation
Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School is accredited by the Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation (WRISA), and by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod School Accreditation (WELSSA).
Infrastructure
Performing Arts Center
The school's performing arts center is used for musical performances, community events, and chapel. The construction of the 750-seat Performing Arts Center was the final step in the four-phase facility plan that began in 2001.
Waste Water Treatment
In 2001, the school built an artificial wetland for waste water management. In March 2003, a grant from Toyota Motor Sales allowed the school to install a windmill to aerate the wetlands, potentially increasing the facility's effectiveness. The experimental facility is the first of its kind among schools of the upper Midwest. The school calls the system "The Green Machine" and uses it for environmental education, allowing the school's Ecology Club to assist in its development and maintenance.
Solar Energy System
In 2009, the school built a solar panel array consisting of 16 panels mounted on four solar trackers to generate electricity that will help power the school's facilities. This system was built in partnership with We Energies, a Power company serving Wisconsin. In 2010, phase 2 of the "Let the Sun Shine...Let the Son Shine" solar project was completed, adding 112 more panels on seven trackers. In 2011, phase 3, a ground mounted solar array was installed on a hill overlooking the school. These solar arrays provide 10-15% of the school's power.
Weather Station
The school maintains a weather station as part of the SMART Weathernet on WITI Fox 6 TV in Milwaukee.
Extracurricular Activities
KMLHS has clubs for chess, ecology, the fine arts, German, yearbook, math competitions, and sound and lighting work. Those interested in drama can participate in children's theater, forensics, and musicals. The school cultivates student leadership through student council, Cross Trainers, National Honor Society, Taste of Ministry programs and Musical Clubs.
Videography Club
The Videography club is responsible for recording athletic and music events as well as live streaming them.
Music
The KML choirs consist of Traveling Choir (open to grades 10-12 through auditions), Kantorei Choir (grade 9), Concert Choir (tryout choir), and The Echoes (Show Choir).
The bands of KML consist of the Concert Band (lower band) and The Wind Symphony (tryout band). Other extracurricular bands include Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Pep Band, and Percussion Ensemble. The Percussion Ensemble has played in venues such as the Wisconsin state capitol rotunda in Madison. Private instrumental and vocal lessons are also available. Students have also formed their own student-led groups such as brass ensembles and flute choirs.