Rooted in the past.

Inspired by the future.

In 1837, St. Paul’s Lutheran School was established at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, making it now the oldest, continuously operating elementary school—public or private—in Indiana. Other churches and schools followed suit, building the rich tradition of Christ-centered education that continues to this day in our region’s Lutheran schools.

Today, these schools and early childhood programs are represented and supported by The Lutheran Schools Partnership (TLSP). TLSP is not a school system. Rather, we are a resource that supports the missions and goals of our regional Lutheran Schools, brings them together under a common purpose, and connects them with the community at large.

While many of our schools are more than 100 years old, with our help, they continue to grow and evolve to meet the educational needs of students in the 21st century. At TLSP, we work hard to ensure the tradition of a Lutheran education continues to inspire students and families for many generations to come.

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Our Team

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Jon Dize

Director of Advancement

Jon Dize, CFRE is a consultant and fundraising coach to schools, churches, and other non-profits, working with small and large organizations to foster and strengthen the concept of the Biblical Cheerful Giver. He currently serves as the Fundraising Coach and Director of Mission Advancement for The Lutheran Schools Partnership, where he coaches the 19 Lutheran schools in Northeast Indiana in the areas of advancement, development, and fundraising, including annual giving, estate giving, endowment building, alumni engagement, and event management. Jon is also the Administrator of The Lutheran Scholarship Granting Organization of Indiana, where he manages the Scholarship Tax Credit Program for 53 Lutheran and other Christian K-12 schools in Indiana.

Jon graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hillsdale College with a BA degree in finance and minors in Economics and History. He has his CFRE designation and received his CFRM and the Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising from the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. He and his family attend Promise Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana (LCMS) as a former elder and current vice-chair of the board.

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Mark Muehl

Executive Director

As executive director of The Lutheran School Partnership, Mark Muehl has led the initiative of The Lutheran Foundation to form a consortium that supports the administrative and professional development needs of Lutheran schools in northeast Indiana. Mark’s leadership is informed by 36 years of various roles in the church including teaching, coaching, directing adult ministry, and administrating schools as well as board membership in higher education, in state wide non-public schools association, in local school associations and local boards.

He's also written monthly articles for the synodical offices, led many accreditation visits and served on a variety of committees. Mark is recognized as a leader in the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod, most demonstrated by receiving LEA's Christus Magister award in 2017. Mark’s passion for Lutheran education is fueled by a Dad who was a Lutheran school teacher, by experience as a student at various levels of Lutheran education and through the joy of boldly sharing Christ through Lutheran schools. Mark is blessed to be married to Dana, a Lutheran school teacher, is dad to three married children (Ashley, Zachary and Tyler) and as a proud grandpa of 3. Mark and Dana love their church, Zion Lutheran in Fort Wayne.

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Alicia Levitt

Director of Academic Excellence

Alicia Levitt has deep roots in Iowa, but considers herself blessed to have spent her entire career in Lutheran education, thus far, in Indiana. She graduated from Concordia University River Forest with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and Concordia University Irvine with a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She taught third and fifth grade, coached volleyball and cheerleading, advised the National Junior Honor Society, helped lead a high school youth group for four years, served as a preschool director.

Alicia was called to be Assistant Principal at Emmanuel St. Michael Lutheran School in Fort Wayne, where she served for three years before being called to The Lutheran Schools Partnership. Alicia’s varied background has served her well as she now works with our schools in the area of academic excellence, providing collaborative opportunities for schools and supporting work with curriculum and professional development. Alicia and her husband, Chris, are thankful to have their children in Lutheran schools in Fort Wayne, and love attending their sporting, music, and drama events. They are members at St. Michael Lutheran Church.

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Lutheran Schools are amazing! My child has grown so much since starting at Lutheran School—spiritually and academically. Most importantly, she loves her teacher and classmates. She can’t wait to go to school every day!

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