By Curt Feilmeier
Principal, St. Peter School in Lincoln
In the heart of Lincoln, nestled within the vibrant and faith-filled parish of St. Peter Church, a remarkable milestone is being joyfully celebrated: the 35th anniversary of St. Peter School.
Since opening its doors in 1991 to students in kindergarten through the third grade, the school has grown into a beacon of Catholic education, academic excellence, and spiritual formation. This year, the entire community—students, faculty, alumni, parents, parishioners, and friends—is invited to come together in celebration of the school’s enduring mission and bright future.
A legacy rooted in faith
St. Peter School was founded with a clear and unwavering mission: to build a Catholic culture where children and families can grow spiritually, intellectually, and in service of neighbor to prepare for the Kingdom of Heaven. Over the past 35 years, this mission has not only endured but flourished. The school now serves students from preschool through the eighth grade, offering a comprehensive and faith-integrated curriculum that nurtures the whole child.
From its earliest days, the school has emphasized the importance of daily Mass, sacramental preparation, and the practice of Catholic virtues. Programs such as the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, the preschool/pre-kindergarten program, and the before- and after-school program have expanded the school’s reach and impact, offering families a supportive and spiritually enriching environment.
The presence of priests and of the School Sisters of Christ the King has been a foundational blessing. Their dedication to the spiritual and academic formation of young minds has left an indelible mark on the school’s identity. Their influence continues to shape the faculty and staff, from long-serving educators to those newly answering the call to Catholic education.
A year of celebration, growth
As the 2025–2026 school year approaches, plans are underway to mark this special anniversary with a series of events that honor the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future. These celebrations are designed to bring together the entire St. Peter community—past and present—and to rekindle the shared mission that has guided the school for more than three decades.
One of the first events will take place Tuesday, Aug. 12, just before the new school year begins. The blessing of the newly completed outdoor stations of the cross will offer students, families, and parishioners a faithful opportunity to “walk with Jesus and come to know further His love for us.” This sacred space will serve as a lasting symbol of the school’s commitment to faith formation.
Additional events are planned throughout the year, including special observances during Discover Catholic Schools Week in November and Catholic Schools Week in January 2026. A highlight of the anniversary year will be a much-anticipated all-school reunion, tentatively scheduled for 2026, which will welcome alumni, former faculty and staff, priests and School Sisters of Christ the King back to campus, to reconnect and reflect on their shared experiences.
A community united – looking ahead with hope
The strength of St. Peter School lies in its deep sense of community. Rooted in the life of the parish, the school has thrived thanks to the faithful support of parishioners, parents, and benefactors. This support has made possible numerous milestones over the years, including the construction of the church in 1995, classroom expansions in 1995 and 2011, playground additions in 2016 and 2024, and the recent church renovation and rededication in 2024.
As the school looks to the future, it remains committed to innovation and excellence in Catholic education. Whether through cherished traditions like the Eucharistic procession, saint parade, the spring musical, science fair, living rosary, Christmas program, wax museum, St. Nick Day celebration or through new initiatives such as the junior high retreat program and the integration of classical and modern teaching methods, St. Peter continues to evolve while staying true to its mission in partnership with parents.
Programs like ‘Education in Virtue’ and those renewing a focus on “learning to read” and “reading to learn,’ along with mathematical, historical, and scientific foundations are helping students to be equipped with the skills and values they need to become lifelong learners and most importantly, be prepared for a Catholic Life.
A joyful milestone
The 35th anniversary of St. Peter School is more than a celebration of years—it is a celebration of lives transformed, vocations, and a community strengthened by faith. From its humble beginnings in 1991 to its current role as a pillar of Catholic education in Lincoln, the school has remained steadfast in its vision and purpose.
As the school community gathers to commemorate this joyful milestone, they do so with hearts full of gratitude and eyes fixed on the future. With faith as its foundation and community as its strength, St. Peter School looks forward to many more years of forming young minds, Abiding in Christ, and Building his Kingdom.
