Early Childhood Education
Full-day Christ-centered preschool in Joplin, MO — ages 3, 4 & 5
Martin Luther School gives your child something no free preschool can — a Christ-centered start to life and learning, in a community that will know and love your family for years to come. Our preschool in Joplin, MO welcomes children ages 3 through 5 into warm, safe classrooms where faith, academics, and social-emotional growth are woven through every part of the day.
Full days for 3- and 4-year-olds — with loving care until 6:00 PM
Because your workday doesn’t end at noon. Unlike half-day programs, your child enjoys a complete, consistent day with the same teachers who know and love them — and you get a schedule that actually works for your family.
“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
Deuteronomy 6:7 (ESV)
More Than a Preschool — A Family
When you choose Martin Luther School for your child’s first school experience, you are not just enrolling in a preschool — you are joining a family. Our Early Childhood program serves ages 3, 4, and 5 with full days for both 3- and 4-year-olds, plus after-care until 6:00 PM to fit working families’ schedules. We also offer summer Curiosity Camps to keep your child learning and growing year-round. And because we’re not bound by district lines, families from across the Joplin area — Webb City, Carl Junction, Carthage, and beyond — are warmly welcome, with no boundary to qualify.
The Safest Classrooms in Joplin
Our youngest students learn in two recently constructed tornado safe rooms — purpose-built Early Childhood classrooms with heated floors and a backup generator. When severe weather strikes, your child is already in the safest place on campus. Parents tell us this peace of mind alone is worth the investment.
Small Classes, Big Attention
With class sizes averaging 12 to 15 students, every child at Martin Luther School is truly known. Our early childhood teachers build deep relationships with each student and family — communicating via the Brightwheel app with photos, updates, and daily messages from the classroom.
Faith-Filled Learning Every Day
At Martin Luther School, your child will hear Bible stories, sing songs about Jesus, pray together, and attend weekly chapel services with the whole school — from the youngest preschoolers to the oldest 8th graders. Our Friendzy social-emotional curriculum and 7 Mindsets program teach kindness, empathy, and resilience through a Christian lens. This is the foundation that shapes not just what your child knows, but who your child becomes.
Why Families Choose Us — Even With Free Options Nearby
We’re grateful Joplin families have more preschool choices than ever. Here’s what Martin Luther School gives your child that a free program can’t: Jesus in every part of the day, full days for 3s and 4s with care until 6:00 PM, classes of just 12–15, tornado-safe classrooms, and one nurturing school from age 3 all the way through 8th grade — no starting over at kindergarten. Come see the difference for yourself.
A Developmentally Rich Curriculum
Our Early Childhood program uses a research-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum that builds essential skills through hands-on activities, creative play, art, music, and structured learning. Children develop literacy readiness, math foundations, fine and gross motor skills, and the social confidence they need to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.
One School, Preschool Through 8th Grade
When your child starts in our Early Childhood program, they can stay with us all the way through Kindergarten, Elementary School, and 8th grade graduation. No switching schools, no starting over — just growing with teachers and friends who know your child best.
Affordable — and Worth It
We believe every child deserves an excellent Christ-centered education. Immanuel Lutheran Church underwrites a large share of tuition, and LESA scholarships and the Missouri Scholars Program help too. Visit our Tuition & Financial Aid page — many families are surprised at how accessible a Martin Luther School education can be.
Come See the Difference
The best way to understand what sets Martin Luther School apart is to walk through our doors. Schedule a tour of our campus, meet our early childhood teachers, and see our tornado-safe classrooms for yourself. You will feel the difference the moment you step inside.
Curious about cost? Visit our Tuition & Financial Aid page or check our FAQ. Learn about our admissions process or explore our full grade-level programs: Kindergarten, Elementary, and Upper Grades (5–8). Read about our Faith & Values or visit About MLS.
Martin Luther School is affiliated with the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and accredited through National Lutheran School Accreditation. Located at 2616 S Connecticut Ave, Joplin, MO 64804. Phone: (417) 624-1403.