For families searching for a Christian K-8 school in Wake County, Resurrection Lutheran School (RLS) offers a Christ-centered education for children from junior kindergarten through eighth grade, all on one welcoming campus in the heart of Lochmere. As a private K-8 school in NC rooted in a biblical worldview, RLS pairs academic rigor with daily faith formation so students are equipped for high school and for life.
Since our school doors opened in 2002, building on a preschool ministry that began in 1984, Resurrection has served families across western Wake County and neighboring communities including Woodcreek, Twin Lakes, and Cary Park. Here, your child will be known, loved, and challenged to reach their full, God-given potential.
One School for the Entire K-8 Journey
One of the most meaningful advantages a family gains at Resurrection is continuity. Many families face a series of stressful transitions: one school for the early years, another for elementary, and a scramble to find the right fit again before middle school. Choosing a K through 8 Christian school near Cary means you can make one enrollment decision and let your child grow up in a single, consistent community.
That continuity matters more than it may first appear. Children thrive when relationships with teachers, classmates, and mentors are allowed to deepen year after year. When a school knows your child from their earliest years through eighth grade, instruction can build steadily on what came before, and your family avoids the disruption of repeatedly starting over.
A Christ-Centered Education at Every Age
Resurrection Lutheran School is dually accredited by the National Lutheran Schools Association and Cognia, and our programs are designed to meet children where they are while preparing them for what comes next. We follow North Carolina State Standards as a baseline, then integrate national standards and extension activities to keep learning both grounded and challenging.
Preschool and Junior Kindergarten
Our earliest programs give children a joyful, faith-filled introduction to school. Resurrection Lutheran Preschool offers a variety of partial-day classes for children ages two through five, including transitional kindergarten. For families ready for a full-day option, our Junior Kindergarten welcomes children who are four by August 31.
In Junior Kindergarten, the focus is on instilling a positive attitude toward learning and creating the foundation for a lifelong love of education. Through weekly unit themes rooted in a biblical worldview, students explore diverse subjects and begin to see the world through the lens of faith. You can learn more on our preschool and junior kindergarten page.
Elementary School (JK-5)
The elementary years are when children learn to make a successful transition between home and school, and RLS treats that first school experience as the critical foundation it is. Our kindergarten classroom is staffed by a full-time teacher and a teaching assistant, ensuring a smooth start and plenty of individual attention.
Throughout elementary, students focus on independence, perseverance, communication, organization, and exploration. Curriculum highlights that families appreciate include:
- Engaging instruction that uses children's specific interests as a gateway to learning
- Plenty of daily movement, both inside and outside the classroom
- Coordinated teaching, so lessons are reinforced in multiple ways across the day
- Developmentally appropriate materials and interactive stations that encourage creativity
- Character formation modeled on the fruit of the Spirit
Perhaps most importantly, every child is treated as a valued individual who is empowered to try new things.
Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Middle school at Resurrection is built for the unique needs of preteens and young teens. The program emphasizes collaboration, critical thinking, experiential learning, mastery learning, writing, integration, leadership, and community service, all within a close-knit and encouraging Christian community.
Our goal is a rigorous core curriculum that develops the whole student and prepares them to make honors-level decisions in high school. While some graduates choose a parochial high school, most matriculate into their local public high school well prepared for the road ahead. Distinctive middle school features include:
- A high value placed on writing, with attention to both composition and intellectual depth
- An active, student-led National Junior Honor Society
- The 8th grade Core 1 End of Course Exam for eligible students
- Team and club sports, clubs, drama, band, and chorus
- Unique overnight travel opportunities and leadership experiences
Explore the full program on our middle school page.
Academic Excellence Backed by Results
Families want confidence that a nurturing environment does not come at the expense of academic strength. At Resurrection, faith and achievement go hand in hand, and our results reflect that commitment. On the Spring 2026 NWEA MAP Growth assessments:
- In Reading, 82% of RLS students scored above the national average, with 53% performing in the top 20% nationally.
- In Mathematics, 91% of RLS students scored above the national average, with 64% performing in the top 20% nationally.
These outcomes span all grade levels and reflect the dedication of our teachers and the partnership of our families. Standardized testing, alongside ongoing assessment, continues to validate the strength of our academic program.
A key part of that success is our commitment to small group instruction. Working with children in smaller groups allows teachers to meet individual needs, build genuine relationships, and help each student progress at the right pace. Technology supports this work throughout the school, with Chromebooks, laptops, SmartBoards, desktops, and online tools used to enhance learning rather than replace the personal connection at the heart of a Resurrection education.
Programs That Develop the Whole Child
A well-rounded education reaches far beyond core academics. Resurrection offers a rich array of programs designed to help children develop mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
Specials, Fine Arts, and Spanish
Gifted classroom teachers are supported by specialists in Music, PE, Art, Library, and Technology, and our Spanish program is offered to all students from junior kindergarten through eighth grade. Through our fine arts programs in art, music, and drama, students explore the artistic process, build confidence, and learn to see the world as a place filled with possibility.
Athletics
Athletics at RLS are about far more than competition. Team participation is a service to the school, to opposing schools, to families, and to the wider community. Seasonal offerings give students opportunities to compete and grow:
- Fall: volleyball and cross country
- Winter: boys' and girls' basketball and cheerleading
Community Service and Leadership
Giving is a lifestyle at Resurrection, and service is woven into everyday learning rather than treated as an add-on. Students build a foundation of empathy through hands-on projects and partnerships with local, national, and global organizations. From letters to service members on Veterans Day to seasonal giving and awareness efforts, children learn early that serving others is part of living a full life. You can read more about our community service commitments on our website.
Before and After School Care
We work hard to accommodate the needs of busy families. Before Care is available daily from 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m., and After Care runs from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. This home-away-from-home atmosphere lets students learn and play in a relaxed setting outside of regular school hours.
Serving Families Across Wake County
Conveniently located in Lochmere on the southern edge of the city, Resurrection is easy to reach for families throughout the region. Parents from established, family-friendly communities such as Woodcreek, Twin Lakes, and Cary Park find that the commute fits naturally into their daily routine.
Choosing a private K-8 school in NC often means weighing location alongside program quality. Because RLS keeps children on one campus from the preschool years through eighth grade, families in these neighborhoods gain a stable, nearby school home that grows with their children rather than a series of relocations across town.
Affording a Resurrection Education
We believe a Christ-centered education should be within reach for families who desire it, and we are glad to walk alongside you as you explore what is possible. Rather than list figures here, we invite you to review current tuition, fees, and available assistance on our Affording Resurrection page, where you will find the details you need to plan with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grades does Resurrection Lutheran School serve?
RLS serves children from preschool and junior kindergarten through eighth grade. Families can enroll once and keep their children in the same faith-based community all the way through middle school.
Is Resurrection Lutheran School accredited?
Yes. Resurrection is dually accredited by the National Lutheran Schools Association and Cognia, and our academic program follows North Carolina State Standards enriched with national standards and extension activities.
Do I need to be Lutheran to enroll my child?
No. Resurrection welcomes families seeking a Christian education generally. Students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin are admitted to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities of the school.
What makes a K-8 model beneficial for my child?
A K-8 model offers continuity of relationships and instruction. Children build lasting bonds with teachers and classmates, learning steadily builds year over year, and families avoid the stress of repeated school transitions before high school.
How can I learn more or schedule a visit?
The best way to experience Resurrection is to see it in person. You can request information or arrange a tour through our admissions team or by reaching out directly through our contact page.
Schedule Your Visit to Resurrection Lutheran School
The heart of a Resurrection education is best understood by walking our halls, meeting our teachers, and seeing students who are known and loved. If you are looking for a Christian K-8 school in Wake County that will nurture your child's faith and academic growth from the earliest years through eighth grade, we would love to meet your family. Visit our contact page to request information or schedule a tour, and take the first step toward a school home your child can grow into for years to come.
