1950's

1953 A request was made to Rev. Dr. Erich Brauer, South Wisconsin District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Executive Secretary for Parish Education, to explore special education for mentally handicapped children in the District.

1954 The District Board of Education requested authority from the District to proceed with definite plans toward inaugurating a program of “Christian education geared to the needs of educable mentally retarded children in the Milwaukee area”. The District Convention authorized the District Board of Education to go ahead with plans for a program.

1955 A group of parents of special needs children organized themselves under the name “Milwaukee Lutheran Parents Association for the Mentally Handicapped Children.”

1957 The Milwaukee Federation of Lutheran Churches approved an education program for what they referred to as mentally retarded children. During Lent of that year, a dime folder offering called “Hearts for Jesus” produced $12,000. The Milwaukee Federation of Lutheran Churches pledged $500 for a class for the mentally retarded, should one materialize.

1958 The Federation adopted a resolution approving the program of special education for educable children and again sponsored a Lenten dime folder Lenten offering among school children in the Milwaukee area. Plans were made to begin the classroom in September, 1958. The first class met at Pilgrim Lutheran School with an enrollment of three. Mrs. Anita Hackbarth was their teacher.

1959 John Melcher became the first Director of the Milwaukee Lutheran Special School in September.

1960's

Through the ups and downs of the formation of the “Milwaukee Lutheran Special School,” God already knew the plans for the next decade.

1961 Milwaukee Lutheran Special School held what became an annual Vacation Bible School for spiritual training of educable mentally retarded children. They started with four classes in Milwaukee.

1964 The funding of the school was totally through the continued use of Lenten dime banks.

1970's

The 1970’s saw significant changes that prospered an even greater Christian education for special needs children in the Milwaukee area. God indeed made the plans for Lutheran Special School to prosper.

1971 The school began meeting at Concordia College in Milwaukee, serving twelve students.

1972 The Milwaukee Federation of Lutheran Churches could no longer afford to operate the Special School, so Concordia College assumed the responsibility for operations. The Special School was renamed “Concordia Special School.” Marilyn Bartel became the Principal.

1975 Ms. Bartel resigned, and Judy Schultz was hired as teacher and Principal.

1977 Concordia continued to operate the classroom for twelve students. Approximately fifty Concordia students a year served as paraprofessionals.

1979 Due to the need for a balanced budget, the Special School was given ninety days to raise $10,000, or the school would have to close. The amount was successfully raised with the help of the Siebert Foundation, the Badger Lutheran newspaper, congregations, and individuals.

1980's

The Lord had His hand on this ministry. In the 1980’s, the location threatened its closing, but God continued to bless the school.

1982 Concordia Special School moved to the new campus of Concordia College in Mequon.

1985 Enrollment declined due to distance and transportation problems, so in March the Board of Regents of Concordia decided to close the school at the end of the 1985-86 school year. In the fall, Gene Ladendorf, the District Superintendent of Lutheran Schools, formed a task force to study the need for special education services for Lutheran children in greater Milwaukee. This task force verified the need for services and put together a proposal to the District Department of Education asking for support and seed money to begin an independent special education program. This request was granted.

1986 Lutheran Special School, formerly, Concordia Special School, became a totally independent organization with its own Board of Directors, bylaws, and budget. Lutheran Special School opened its doors as an independent school serving twelve students in a Milwaukee Lutheran High School classroom.

1988 The Elementary Resource Room program was begun at Mt. Olive Lutheran School.

1990's

“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope…”

God was certainly providing more hope for parents and students alike through the growing services of Lutheran Special School.

1990 The Principal of Northwest Lutheran School, Mr. Roger Laesch, went on the roof of his school and pitched a tent. He promised to stay on the roof until he raised $10,000. In forty-eight hours Principal Laesch raised $11,500.

1991 The Elementary Resource Room program was moved from Mt. Olive to St. John’s, Glendale. A second full time classroom was added at Milwaukee Lutheran High School.

1996 Lutheran Special School, in cooperation with Cardinal Stritch University, began an in-service program for teachers called “HELP.”

1998 Lutheran Special School decided to participate in School Choice.

1999 To better state who we are, the Lutheran Special School name was changed to “Lutheran Special School & Education Services.” A school to work program was begun at Milwaukee Lutheran High School to equip students to enter the job market after high school.

2000's

The new millennium had begun. Many had no hope for our future, but God in His wisdom allowed LSSES to go on.

2000 A Resource Room is established at Pilgrim Lutheran School.

2001 Lutheran Special School began a part time Resource Lab at Martin Luther High School.

2002 A Resource Room was added at Our Redeemer Lutheran School. The Resource Lab at Martin Luther High School became full time. Teacher Consultant Services began at Divine Redeemer Lutheran School in Hartland. The “Celebrity Waiter” fundraiser was begun.

2003 A teacher-consultant position became full time.

2005 A part-time Art Therapy Program begins. An Early Childhood Teacher Consultant/School Psychologist is hired.

2007 Hales Corners Resource Room was created.

2008 An art based curriculum program is piloted in the self-contained classroom, with plans to continue the program in Milwaukee’s Third Ward.

2010's

God continues to know the students and the plans of our school. Our school is one of only two programs of its type in the United States. There is continued hope and a look toward the future. The school continues to grow and prosper. The future is still waiting and unfolding.

2015 LSSES officially moved to the Hales Corners location. Bus service was added to continue to meet the needs of our City of Milwaukee students.

2017 High school classes were added.

2020 Lutheran Special School & Education Services officially changed its name to  Journeys Lutheran School to better represent the mission of our school -  a continuation of our Journey together. We strive to ignite our students’ potential, to declare Jesus’ love to them, and to celebrate every student’s unique journey. A school-to-work internship program was created to prepare our high school students to be productive workers as adults.