Riverton welcomes a new school to town

A building that once specialized in growing plants will now focus on growing young minds. Concordia Preparatory School has moved from 4020 South 900 East to the former Garden Lodge in Riverton.

The 10-acre property is at 12723 South Park Avenue in Riverton. The building is 56,000 square feet and has been undergoing renovations since November, adding classrooms, a remodeled sanctuary space and a practice gym. The school plans on adding more additions, such as a permanent gym, later.

“We are getting all the loose ends together and there is a lot of work to do, but what a blessing,” Darren Morrison, interim principal and 1996 graduate of the school, said of the new location.

Concordia staff spent much of their Christmas break packing and moving and opened the doors at the new location on Jan. 3.

The co-ed private school is currently accepting enrollment for the second semester for ninth through 12th grade and will be holding an open house on Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for anyone interested in learning more about the school. There will also be a performance from Yale Whiffenpoofs, one of America’s oldest a cappella groups, during the open house.

The entire faculty, student body, and staff have been involved in the decision to move. After much research, they decided that moving the school to the Riverton area would serve more people and be a better fit for the school.

“We did a market feasibility study and determined that the school will best thrive in the Riverton area. We then decided it would be a good move for us,” Tia Donahoe, Concordia’s business officer, said. “Everyone was involved in the 18-month process and will be making the move with us.”

Concordia Preparatory School, a private school owned and operated by an association of seven Lutheran congregations from across the Salt Lake Valley, was founded in 1983 and was formerly known as the Salt Lake Lutheran High School. In May, Concordia was granted national and regional reaccreditation, and in July, the school changed its name from the Salt Lake Lutheran High School to Concordia Preparatory School as part of the process.

“We are re-inventing who we are. We are moving toward being a college prep school with on-line courses available and dual enrollment classes. Concordia means harmony and that’s what we are striving for,” Donahoe said.

Founded in 1984, Concordia Preparatory School averages 80 students, ninth through twelfth grade, and has a main focus of preparing its students for college with a faith-based education at its core. Along with academics, Concordia provides athletics and other activities and a spiritual component for its students.

“Concordia Preparatory School provides excellent college prep, high school education to children and families in the Salt Lake City area. The goal is to prepare students to be successful in college while providing diverse co-curricular activities in a smaller setting,” Morrison said.

The Light of the Valley Lutheran Church will eventually share space with Concordia to hold its worship services. There are also future plans for a full-service daycare and an early childhood education center at the location.