Immanuel Lutheran School and St James Lutheran School are the parent schools of our present Immanuel-St James Lutheran Academy. Each school has a rich history of providing Lutheran education to generations of students.  

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Immanuel Lutheran School began classes in 1859 at the church building, 2 Michigan St, NE in downtown Grand Rapids. A second building was built on the west side of Grand Rapids (corner of Second and Pettibone NW). By 1891, the west side school had 81 students. In 1942, Immanuel congregation decided to discontinue the west side school and built a larger school building at the church site.  Immanuel Lutheran Church remains today at that site on Michigan Ave. surrounded by the growing medical community, but remains a vibrant ministry to the area.

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St James Lutheran School began classes on September 6, 1951 in a one room school at 445 Knapp St NE.  There were 21 students in four grades.  In 1953, a second classroom was added in the church basement at 441 Knapp St NE for grades K-2. That location now houses condominiums with the stained-glass windows intact. In 1954, grades 3-8 met in the one room school at 445 Knapp St NE.

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Groundbreaking for the present school building at 2066 Oakwood NE was held on November 21, 1954 and the school was dedicated on November 20, 1955.

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It was in 1973 that Immanuel Lutheran School and St James Lutheran School merged and for several years Pre-School through Grades 3 met at the Oakwood school and met at Immanuel School downtown.  

At present, all grades are meeting at 2066 Oakwood St NE.  Immanuel – St James Lutheran Academy is supported by both Immanuel and St James congregations and are led by a Joint Board of Education with representatives from both congregations.

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As is evident from this long history, God is blessing this school so each day the dear ones who attend are taught God’s Word and given a foundation of faith to guide them throughout their lives and to eternity.  You are warmly invited to give your children a place at ISJ.