On Wednesday, Sept. 17, officials from both Luther College and the Decorah Community School District met formally to launch a Preferred Admissions Partnership. This program will give Decorah High School students the opportunity to achieve a higher education in their hometown.
“The partnership reflects a mutual commitment to invest in our local community by improving opportunities for students from Decorah to access and afford a Luther education,” said Luther College President Brad Chamberlain in a press release on September 17th, 2025
Students must have a 3.25 unweighted GPA and have completed Algebra II by the end of junior year to be eligible for this partnership program. If students meet these requirements and stay in good standing with the school, they will receive a $500 preferred admissions scholarship along with other scholarships awarded to them by the institution. Many Decorah High School students meet this standard and would be eligible for this award.
In the September 17th press release, Matt Beatty, vice president for enrollment management said, “Students from Decorah High School are among the best in the nation, and its graduates have consistently thrived at Luther,”
Many current Luther students also believe that Decorah High School has strong academics and truly prepared them for the next level of education.
“Decorah High School has a higher standard for their students than a lot of other places that I’ve experienced,” said Julia Severtson (‘28). “The way they held their students to that standard did help me in college.”
The scholarship may help attract students to Luther as well. Gwenyth Thompson (‘29) thinks it could be helpful for students when making financial decisions.
“When I was paying for my first semester at Luther I was like… I could really use just a little more money, so I think that would definitely sway someone’s decision,” said Thompson (‘29).
The partnership and award program has been set in place to give Decorah High School students a sense of belonging and community, as well as an opportunity for higher education and an incentive to stay in Decorah.
