About Our School

Staff  |  History

Our School

Our Mission

The mission of Christ the King Lutheran School is to assist parents in preparing their children for a life of faithful discipleship in the Christian Church and in the world by providing a Christ-centered, Lutheran, classical education.

Our Vision

The vision of Christ the King Lutheran School is to provide an excellent, Christ-centered, Lutheran, classical education for Christian families in the northwest Big Horn Basin and all families seeking a vigorous classical, Christian education.

Our Philosophy

Christ the King Lutheran School offers a classical, Lutheran education. Our goal is to teach Christ’s love and forgiveness as they have been revealed to us through His incarnation, life, crucifixion, and resurrection, as well as to assist in the spiritual, intellectual, and moral growth of each child. In all our educational endeavors, we strive to remain true to the teachings of the Bible, the three ecumenical creeds of the Christian Church (i.e., Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian), and the Lutheran Confessions.

Years Educating

There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.      – C.S. Lewis

Our Educational Approach
At Christ the King Lutheran School, we seek to nurture both the mind and the heart. Through a Christ-centered classical approach, students build strong academic foundations while growing in character, curiosity, and confidence. In a structured and supportive environment, children learn to think carefully, speak clearly, and explore God’s Word and God’s world with wonder and purpose.

Our Preschool Program
Since 1989, Christ the King Lutheran Preschool has served families in the Cody community with a nurturing Christian environment for early learning. This long-standing ministry provides the foundation for our elementary school, helping young children grow in faith, curiosity, and readiness for the next stage of learning.

Get started with pre-enrollment today!

Our Teachers & Staff

Pastor Kenneth Mars

Pastor Kenneth Mars

Headmaster & Pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church

Pastor Mars was ordained in the LCMS in 2005 and has been the head pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church since 2022. He has both a Bachelor and Master of Science in Geology from Texas Tech University, a Master of Arts in the Great Books from Memoria College, and a Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Vickie, have homeschooled their eight children for over 15 years. He is an enthusiastic supporter of Lutheran parochial education and is very thankful to be a part of Christ the King Lutheran School.

Stacey Grenz

Stacey Grenz

Christ the King Lutheran Preschool Director

Stacey has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and an Elementary Teaching endorsement from the University of Southern Colorado. She taught in Colorado Springs for four years before moving to Cody. She then came to work at Christ the King in the spring of 2003. In 2006, she left Christ the King for a full-time substitute job in first grade. After six years of substitute teaching, she came back to work at Christ the King in 2012. She has been the Preschool Director since 2014.

Ashley Asay

Ashley Asay

Assistant PreK Director & Head Teacher

Ashley is a Cody native and graduate of Christ the King Lutheran Preschool. Since joining the staff in 2017 as a part-time teachers’ aide, her role has grown steadily to Head Teacher and Assistant Director. She is deeply committed to creating a safe and loving environment where children can grow, explore, and thrive. Ashley is excited that her daughter will soon attend the preschool and considers it a joy and a blessing to continue the legacy of Christ the King Lutheran Preschool.

Betty Garwood

Betty Garwood

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Teacher

Betty attended Indiana University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She taught in public schools in Wyoming for 15 years. In 1996, her family moved to Casper where she started Mount Hope Lutheran School and taught for 16 years. She is married to Pastor Ron Garwood and they have been blessed with four children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. In 2019, the Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education (CCLE) granted Betty the distinguished Magistra Magna (Master Teacher) award for exceptional vision, service, and dedication to the cause of classical, Lutheran education.

Vickie Mars

Vickie Mars

Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Teacher

Vickie is married to Rev. Kenneth Mars, and they have eight children. For over 15 years, they have homeschooled their children using the classical approach. Vickie earned both a Bachelor and Master of Science in Geology from Texas Tech University, and she is currently taking classes to become a Classical Certified Educator with the Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education (CCLE).

Tori Bruce

Tori was born and raised in Cody. She attended Northwest College for one year and has taught at Christ the King since 2020. She loves children, which is apparent when watching her care for the children in preschool. We are very fortunate to have her as part of our team.

Mackenzie Sperry

Mackenzie is from a small town in Washington. She moved to Cody in 2023 and is currently studying early education. She has a background in environmental science, forestry, and biotechnology. She loves teaching and taking care of children since she helped homeschool her sister through kindergarten and first grade.

Stacey Lozier

Stacey was born and raised in Southeast Wyoming. She graduated from Northwest College in 2011 with an Associate degree in Business and General Studies. After college, she married her best friend. Together, they made Cody their home and filled their lives with love and joy as they raise their four wonderful children. Stacey joined our staff in 2025 and is eager to show love and support to her students.

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

 – Ephesians 6:4

Our History

Blessed by one teacher’s dream to provide preschool and day care filled with Christian love to the congregation of Christ the King Lutheran Church and the Cody community.

Christ the King Lutheran School | An open hardcover book with a blue ribbon bookmark rests on a beige surface, displaying two pages of text in a clean, neutral setting.

1989

Christ the King Preschool & Daycare started by Romel Gravell (Reinker) .

Christ the King Lutheran School | Close-up of a lit black metal street lamp with frosted glass panels, captured against a clear sky background.

2014

Stacey Grenz becomes the director of Christ the King Preschool.

Christ the King Lutheran School | A white church steeple with a cross on top is shown against a blue sky with a few clouds.

2024

Preschool renamed to Christ the King Lutheran School & adopted optional 5-day school day for PreK.

Christ the King Lutheran School | Four children sitting in chairs with eyes closed and hands pressed together in prayer, each holding a book in their lap.

2026

Expanded the preschool to Christ the King Lutheran School, adding it’s first Kindergarten class.

A Ministry of Christ the King Lutheran Church

Christ the King Lutheran School is a ministry of Christ the King Lutheran Church and part of the educational tradition of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

Across the country, LCMS congregations operate more than 1,600 early childhood centers and schools, serving tens of thousands of students. Christ the King Lutheran School continues this long tradition of faithful Lutheran education.

Christ the King Lutheran School | A metal cross with a circle is in focus in the foreground, with an altar, candles, and a wooden background blurred in the distance.