Martin Luther School

At Martin Luther School We Kindle Character, Spark Joy, and Ignite Curiosity Through the Light of Christ!

Now enrolling | Age 3 Early Childhood through 8th Grade | Call 417-624-1403
Classes are in session for the 2026–27 school year, and Martin Luther School accepts students year-round on a rolling basis — there is no lottery and no waiting list.

Martin Luther School is fully accredited and in good standing with NLSA. 8 strengths and 1 exceptional practice and zero deficiencies.
Martin Luther School is fully accredited and in good standing with the National Lutheran School Accreditation program, following a rigorous self-study and evaluation: eight strengths, one Powerful Practice, and zero deficiencies. To God be the glory! Questions about enrolling your child? Call our principal, Mrs. Mollie Ramstad, at 417-624-1403.

We invite you to be a part of what God is doing at Martin Luther School! As a top-notch accredited Christian school, this mission outreach of Immanuel Lutheran Church has been serving families in this Joplin location since 1953 with excellence in academics balanced with a Christ-centered approach. MLS serves children from Early Childhood and Kindergarten through 8th Grade.

Martin Luther School logo — a flame above the school name, for the Light of Christ

When Immanuel moved from downtown Joplin to our current property at 26th and Connecticut, the first structure we built was…the school! Martin Luther School is a part of Immanuel’s “DNA.” Come and see why we believe that our little Lutheran School might be just what your family needs.

Schedule a free Educational Success Consultation and take a free tour with our principal. You can also visit Martin Luther School’s own website at martinlutherjoplin.com.

Founded in 1953, Martin Luther School is a Christ-centered Lutheran school for early childhood through eighth grade that KINDLES character, SPARKS joy, and IGNITES learner curiosity in every child through the LIGHT OF CHRIST.

This Year at Martin Luther School

The 2026–27 school year opened on Wednesday, August 19, and our teachers were installed for the year in Sunday worship here at Immanuel. A few things worth knowing about the year underway:

  • Our theme is “Rooted in Christ” — from Colossians 2:6–7, “as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him.” It shapes chapel, classrooms, and school communications all year long. This is the LCMS School Ministry theme for 2026–27.
  • Chapel is every Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. in the church sanctuary during the school year. Students, teachers, and staff worship together in the same room where the congregation gathers on Sunday — one of the clearest pictures of how church and school belong to each other here.
  • Daniel, our Comfort Dog, serves at school. Daniel is part of Immanuel’s Comfort Dog Ministry and a familiar presence in MLS hallways and classrooms.
  • Looking ahead to 2027–28: enrollment opens to current MLS families on December 7, 2026, and to the public on January 19, 2027. Families who enroll by April 15, 2027 receive the discounted enrollment fee.

OUR FIVE CORE VALUES

Adopted by our school board as part of our Strategic Plan 2025–2029, these five core values define who we are and who we are forming our students to become: 

  • Compassionate Leaders
  • Christ-Centered Servants
  • Innovative Thinkers
  • Resilient Learners
  • God’s Unique Creations

Every program, every lesson, and every interaction at Martin Luther School is shaped by these values.

OUR COMMUNITY

Martin Luther School is a place where families from all backgrounds are welcome. While we are rooted in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod tradition, our school community includes families from many denominations and faith backgrounds. As our leadership often says, “We are not here to make little Lutherans — we are here to encourage little Christians.” What unites us is a shared commitment to raising children who know Jesus, love others, and are prepared to make a difference in the world.

Martin Luther School is led by Principal Mollie Ramstad, Pastor Christopher Ramstad, and DCE Jason Glaskey, who together form the Ministry Leadership Team for Immanuel Lutheran Church and Martin Luther School. This team ensures that the school and church work hand in hand to serve students, families, and the broader Joplin community.

We invite you to learn more about what makes Martin Luther School special. Schedule a tour, attend an event, or contact our school office at (417) 624-1403. We would love to welcome your family.

SCHEDULE A TOUR

Discover our 70+ year history, learn about our accreditation standards, or read what families say about the MLS experience.

Martin Luther School students in red Flames t-shirts stand with a Joplin police officer in front of the school banner
A Martin Luther School student runs the livestream computer and camera from the sanctuary tech booth
Elementary students in costume wave from the stage during a Martin Luther School musical
Three middle school students in hats and costumes perform in the Martin Luther School spring play
Two Martin Luther School students smile behind a snack table in the school hallway
A pastor places his hand on a student's forehead during chapel while classmates wait in line
Two young Martin Luther School students hug and smile in the classroom
A young student twirls spaghetti on a fork at a Martin Luther School lunch
Three Early Childhood students give a thumbs up outside on the Martin Luther School playground

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