1984 - Present

In 1984 another first: in-school programs were expanded outside Michigan, into Illinois. Within 10 short years remarkable changes had occurred in the ministry of Lutheran School for the Deaf. Under God’s grace and blessings, this organization expanded its mission beyond the special learning need of deafness to include a new range of other barriers to learning, ones less visible but just as real.

In 1990, while the ministry had changed, the name had not. So in May 1990, at the annual meeting of the Association of Congregations, delegates voted to change the corporate name from “Lutheran School for the Deaf” to “Lutheran Special Education Ministries.”

In 1997, no longer a residential school, the campus was sold and now houses the main campus of Cornerstone Schools, one of our partnership schools, and LSEM's national office. Later that year Lutheran Special Education Ministries expanded its in-school programs yet again, into Indiana.

In 1998, we celebrated 125 years of God’s grace and blessings. As we touch our past, we remember how God has sustained us for 125 years. As we embrace the future, we walk in faithful confidence that our God will continue to care for this ministry, as we care for his special young lambs.

In 1999, Lutheran Special Education Ministries expanded its in-school programs to Minnesota. 

In 2000, Lutheran Special Education Ministries expanded its in-school programs to California and Arizona.

In 2002, Lutheran Special Education Ministries expanded its in-school programs to Texas.

In 2006, Lutheran Special Education Ministries expanded its in-school programs to Florida.

In 1975 we served 50 students. Today, the need for outreach services has spread far beyond the Detroit area, and serves thousands of students annually.

To God be the glory!