Hope Lutheran is seeing significant changes in both its physical building and its programming.

For the first time since Hope Lutheran first opened, the pre-school-through- eighth-grade school is able to house all of its classrooms in one building. Previously, preschool and kindergarten classrooms were off site. Now, the early childhood development classrooms are all located together in a new wing north of the building.

Other new facilities include a new music classroom, computer lab and a one-on-one classroom for special education therapy. Elevators have also been installed in the school to improve access.

In total, the school has added about half of its original space.

Inside Hope Lutheran Church, a congregation which is currently celebrating its 90th anniversary, new carpet and lighting has been installed in the church and the entranceway has been expanded to a much larger lobby.

Until recently, no major renovation work had been done in the school since it was built in the 1950s.

"The congregation was ready," said Adair Hinds, head of the school. "The church was going through a strategic planning process to unify the church and the school."

Hope Lutheran is also developing new programs. They are expanding their technology programs including robotics courses and will continue to strongly emphasize religious themes such as character building.

"We're going to maintain strong academics but expand service learning programs and get kids more involved in the community," said Hinds.

The school now has two different special education programs. Discovery offers one-on-one special education facility that teaches through cognitive therapy. Another program, Saint Christopher, recently transferred to the school from Kennedy High School, which caters more specifically to the specific challenges that different students face.

Hope Lutheran is also becoming more closely connected to Seattle Lutheran. Similar to the Spectrum program at Lafayette Elementary School, Hope Lutheran will offer advanced, high school level programs for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. Many faculty members will teach at both schools.

At a time when Seattle Public Schools are making significant program cuts, Bil Hood, Director of Advancement, says Hope Lutheran will continue to grow.

"It's nice to be able to offer more rather than less," said Hood.

Hope Lutheran and Seattle Lutheran will be leading tours to show facility changes at each school on April 15, 16 and 17.

Toward the end of the month the schools will also host an open house, highlighting their new academic programs.