About Bethany
Welcome to Bethany Christian Schools On-Line!
Bethany Christian Schools is a private school for grades 4-12 with about 250 students. The high school was founded in 1954, expanded to include a middle school in 1996, and added elementary grades 4-5 in 2011. BCS is owned and operated by the Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference. The schools are located at the south edge of Goshen, Indiana, a city of about 25,000 people (map).
Bethany provides an education with learning that lasts and faith that lives. Discover the difference!
Christian Faith
Bethany works in partnership with church and home to nurture youth in Christian faith, provides students with Christian adult mentors other than their parents, and plans activities to help student develop many friendships.
Read more about Bethany Christian Schools' committment to the teachings of Christ.
Academics
Bethany prepares students for college and career through a challenging curriculum. Bethany's high graduation rate and SAT and ISTEP scores exceed state and local averages and reflect the excellent academic instruction and individualized attention that Bethany students receive.
Read more about Bethany Christian Schools' excellence in academics.
Athletics
Over three-fourths of Bethany students—many who would not have such opportunity at larger schools—have participated in at least one of 7 middle school or 13 high school sports. Since 1997 high school teams have won 12 sectional championships and 3 regional championships.
Read more about Bethany Christian Schools' athletic programs.
Music and Drama
Bethany provides private and classroom instrumental and vocal music instruction. Additionally, students can participate in musicals, select choirs, state contests, and assist in chapels.
Read more about Bethany Christian Schools' music and drama program.
Welcome
A Welcome from our Principal
I warmly welcome you to Bethany Christian Schools—a school for students in grades 4-12 where Christian growth and learning go hand-in-hand.
Students at Bethany enjoy many opportunities to develop their gifts in athletics, drama, music, leadership, and academic competition. They experience the satisfaction of serving others and develop friendships with other students and with teachers, friendships that often last a lifetime.
Bethany provides an extraordinary learning experience, within a community of Christian faith. Whether you're a current or prospective student, parent, alumnus, or friend of Bethany Christian Schools, I invite you to discover the Bethany difference!
Allan Dueck
Principal
A Welcome from our Student Body Association Co-Presidents
Welcome to the Bethany website. Feel free to spend some time looking around the site, getting to know the school in depth.
With small class sizes, students are able to get personal attention from the teachers, creating a close community that goes beyond academics. Teachers are free to weave faith into their lesson plans, and students are encouraged to ask questions that challenge.
Extracurricular activities are a large part of students' lives at Bethany. We have many different opportunities to participate in: yearbook, newspaper, choir, orchestra, drama, musical, Chess Club, to name just a few. And that's not even including athletics, where Bethany teams have won numerous sectional and conferences titles.
The Student Body Association, or SBA, is the way in which students are represented at Bethany. As the student government, we organize various activities for the student body, including all-school parties, tailgating for athletic events, and fundraisers. Currently, the SBA is leading a school-wide project to sponsor a child through Compassion International. We've been sponsoring Robert, a child from Tanzania. We feel that this is a great project for our student body to take on.
Bethany is a unique place for students to learn and grow together in faith and their lives. We highly encourage you to take a look around.
Student Body Co-Presidents
Discover the Difference
A Bethany education addresses the whole person: intellectual, physical, social, emotional, and spirtual. A strong academic program and a rich variety of extracurricular activities such as art, drama, music, and athletics prepare Bethany students for a well-rounded life. We encourage you to visit the campus in person and experience the Bethany difference. A friendly welcome awaits you.
Christ-Centered Education
Teachers are at the heart of a Christ-centered school. For them, teaching is not just a job, but a calling. Our teachers, coaches, administrators, and staff model Christ's love to students and incorporate the teachings of Jesus into the classroom, athletics, and daily work. Students explore Christ's call on their lives, seeking a faith they can own.
Academic Excellence
Through vibrant, creative, and student-oriented education, Bethany meets the needs of diverse learners and empowers all students to embrace academic challenges. To prepare students for college and career success, Bethany provides challenging experiential learning at all levels, including advanced courses in all core subject areas and the fine arts. Between 80 and 90 percent of our graduates go on to college. In addition, we provide academic assistance for students with special needs.
Bethany accomplishments include:
- Average of nearly two National Merit Scholarship finalists per year during the past 10 years--six times the national average
- One of the highest average SAT scores among Northern Indiana schools
- One of the top five schools in the state in Hoosier Academic Superbowl each year since 1997
- National recognition for its innovative Environmental Science course
Personal Development
We nurture the spiritual, academic, artistic, and social gifts of all students and unleash these gifts to further God's work in the world. Teachers and coaches mentor students to cultivate leadership skills through the Leadership Development program, a process that provides goals, teaching tools, and evaluation of skills for students in various leadership roles. As a small school Bethany gives students opportunities to develop their skills and interests in multiple areas simultaneously.
Community and Friendship
Within a diverse faith-based community, Bethany fosters respectful and compassionate relationships among students, faculty, staff, and the church. The expectation is that we do things together-learn, work, serve, and worship.
As a small school, Bethany places priority on relationships. Teachers become more than just teachers-they become mentors and friends. In middle school, teachers help youth build respectful and compassionate relationships, using resources from the Ophelia Project.
In the high school, students and teachers are on a first-name basis with each other. At Bethany, people take an interest in each other and build lasting friendships that provide a sense of belonging.
The Bethany Difference
A Bethany we provide a holistic educational package to prepare our students for a well-rounded life. According to parents, the attention to social, emotional, and spiritual growth is the added value that makes Bethany a great investment.
If you want a school with these characteristics, consider Bethany Christian Schools.
Visiting a school is one of the most important steps in making a selection. We encourage you to see the campus in person and experience the Bethany difference.
Admission to Bethany Christian Schools is open to all qualified students regardless of race, creed or ethnic background.
What Others Say
 “Bethany’s high academic standards and encouragement to participate in extracurricular activities prepared me to handle the intense and rigorous coursework at college while continuing my involvement in extracurriculars.” —Sierra Germeyan (’09), Williams College, ranked the No. 1 liberal arts college by U.S. News and World Report |
 “At Bethany I got to know people fast and our class formed a bond. There is also a very positive relationship between students and teachers. I can talk to my teachers about school and other things in my life.” —Brooke, high school student |
 “My wife and I have chosen to educate our children at Bethany because of its strong track record of academic excellence in preparing students for success in college.” —Yatin J. Patel, MD MBA |
 “Even though I was not within the top 10 of my class, Bethany fully prepared me for the rigorous course load in college so that I was not only the 1% of freshmen who could solve a difficult Calculus problem, determine a polyatomic ion, or write a 10 page research paper in 2 weeks, but could manage my time to also play sports, serve as editor of the yearbook, and be a friend to my peers.” —Sydney Kehr (’10), Duquesne University |
 “Bethany has given me so many opportunities that I could not experience in my home country, and I feel I’m well prepared for college. I’ve made some great friends and love living with my host parents—I'm truly a part of their family.” —Sang Hyoun Han (’11), four-year student from South Korea |
 “When I moved to Elkhart, I carefully researched educational opportunities for my daughters. Bethany stood above all other options and has proven to be even more than I expected—and well worth the commute. Bethany has helped my family achieve our dream by preparing my two daughters to succeed at two of the top liberal arts colleges in the country: Williams College (ranked no. 1 by U.S. and World News Report) and Bowdoin College (ranked no. 6).” —Jennifer Lucas-Germeyan, parent |
 “My superb high school education allowed me to begin college with a head start. Bible classes provided an important space for me to ask challenging questions within a supportive faith community. This was invaluable for me and the beginning of a journey that led me to attend seminary after college, with the hopes of someday becoming a teacher myself.”—Jonny Gerig Meyer, 2004 National Merit Finalist |
 “The fact that Bethany is smaller makes it easier to know people—even people who aren’t in the same grade. The many choices that Bethany gives when choosing activities or sports are wonderful.” —Olivia, middle school student |
Frequent Questions
Read the frequently asked questions below to answer any general questions you might have about BCS. If the answers provided do not give you the information you need please call the Bethany office.
- Is Bethany affiliated with a specific church denomination?
- What are the enrollment procedures?
- Is tuition assistance available?
- What is the deadline for applying?
- What time does the school day start and end?
- Does Bethany arrange carpooling or provide bus service?
- Does Bethany have a dress code?
- Is Bethany accredited with the State of Indiana?
- What extracurricular activities are available?
- Is Bethany's calendar similar to the public school system?
- Are services available for students with special learning needs?
Question and Answer
Q: Is Bethany affiliated with a specific church denomination?
Yes. Bethany is owned and operated by the Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference. Although a majority of the faculty, staff, and students come from a Mennonite background, a variety of religious backgrounds are represented. All students are welcome regardless of religious affiliation. Our students come from roughly 50 congregations representing about 20 different faith groups. Though Bethany is grounded in Mennonite values, diversity is welcome and all students are encouraged to seek a faith they can own.
Q: What are the enrollment procedures?
To enroll in a private school, students must apply and be accepted. To initiate the application process, parents and students must complete and sign an application form, which can be obtained by contacting the school admissions office at 574 534-2567 or admissions@bethanycs.net, or filled out online.
Along with your application, Bethany requires:
1) A copy of your most recent achievement test results (ISTEP+ or other)
2) A copy of your most recent report card
3) Two personal references
4) A non-refundable $35 application fee ($135 for international students)
For more detail see our application process.Q:Is tuition assistance available?
Yes. Tuition assistance is available for qualified students. The tuition assistance formula takes into account family income and family size. Families needing financial assistance should request an application form from the admissions office. Applications for tuition assistance are due by March 15. Applications received after this date will be considered, as funds are available.
Q: What is the deadline for applying?
March 15 Early Enrollment: To qualify for lowest tuition, applications must be received by this date. Applications are welcome after March
15, as long as space permits.
Q: What time does the school day start and end?
Starts at 7:50 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m.
Athletic practices after school.
Q: Does Bethany arrange carpooling or provide a bus/van service?
No. We do encourage carpooling, and provide a roster with student names and addresses so parents can see who lives in their neighborhood.
Q: Does Bethany have a dress code?
Yes. All students are expected to dress with modesty. Student dress should be conducive to educational excellence and a Christian environment.
The following are some items not permitted: tank tops, hats/bandanas during school hours, bare feet, skin-tight clothing, shorts above finger tip length, clothes with holes or rips, cut-offs, clothing that advertises alcohol, tobacco, drugs, violence, or has a questionable message, cloths that expose the midriff, underclothes, or cleavage, skirts/dresses that are above five inches off the floor when kneeling.
Q: Is Bethany accredited with the state of Indiana?
Yes, and all teachers are licensed to teach in their areas. In fact Bethany consistently ranks in the top 10% of accredited schools in Indiana in terms of academic performance.
Q: What extracurriculars does Bethany offer?
| Girls Sports | Boys Sports | For All Students | |
| HS | Soccer, Basketball, Cross Country, Tennis, Volleyball, Softball, Track, Cheerleading | Soccer, Basketball, Cross Country, Tennis, Track, Baseball | Academic Superbowl, Drama, Musical, Chess, Speech and Debate |
| MS | Soccer, Basketball, Cross Country, Track, Tennis, Volleyball | Soccer, Basketball, Cross Country, Track, Tennis, Baseball | Drama, Chess |
Q: Is Bethany's calendar similar to the public school system?
Yes. Because some families have students in both systems, and some parents work in the public school system, we try to keep our calendar similar for family vacation planning.
Q: Are services available for students with special learning needs?
Yes, special services are available, but each individual case is carefully reviewed to ensure we can adequately meet the student's needs.
Who are the Mennonites?
Bethany Christian Schools is owned and operated by Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference and is a part of Mennonite Church USA.
Who are the Mennonites?
- Mennonites are Christians who have chosen to follow the way of Jesus.
- Mennonites believe that God created and loves all people.
- Mennonites believe in living peacefully with all people and that war is wrong.
- Mennonites believe that Christians should live out their beliefs in their daily lives and that caring relationships with one another create meaningful community that is very important to their faith.
To learn more about who the Mennonites are, please visit the Third Way Cafe (Café de Tercera Alternativa) site listed below:
Who are the Mennonites? (in English)
¿Quiénes son los Menonitas? (en español)
Foundation Documents
The following four documents provide a foundation for Bethany Christian Schools:
Mission
Bethany Christian Schools is a dynamic learning community that integrates faith development with academic excellence. Grounded in Mennonite values, Bethany equips students for Christian discipleship in the church and around the world.
Core Values
We at Bethany Christian Schools value:
- Christ-centered education: Integrating faith and learning from a Mennonite perspective that highlights discipleship, peaceable living, and service, we invite each student to engage in a personal faith journey
- Academic excellence: Through vibrant, creative, and student-centered education, we empower all learners to meet academic challenges.
- Gifts development: We nurture the spiritual, academic, artistic, physical, and social gifts of all students and unleash these gifts to further God's work in the world.
- Community: Within a diverse faith-based community, we foster respectful and compassionate relationships among students, faculty, staff, and the church.
For more information on these values, see Discover the Difference.
Graduate Profile
In light of Bethany's parameters, mission, and core values–the school educates and nurtures students so that, upon graduation from high school, they demonstrate:
Academic competence: Bethany graduates . . .
- Exhibit foundational knowledge and competence in academic disciplines.
- Communicate effectively through listening, speaking, and writing.
- Possess the knowledge and skills for success in making decisions, managing resources, relating to others, and functioning in the workforce.
- Value and demonstrate the skills of life-long learning - including thinking critically, accessing information, solving problems, and collaborating with others.
- Utilize current technologies effectively and ethically.
- Appreciate and demonstrate creativity and artistic expression.
Spiritual growth: Bethany graduates . . .
- Possess basic biblical literacy, the tools of biblical interpretation, and the know how to draw on the Bible for spiritual discernment.
- Explore the implications of Jesus' call for their own lives, grow in relationship with Jesus Christ and the faith community, and understand faith as a life-long journey.
- Ask questions and seek answers through the practice of spiritual disciplines and the counsel of others.
- Explore and develop their God-given gifts.
- Value worship as an essential part of Christian life and utilize the skills acquired at Bethany to participate meaningfully in worship.
- Articulate their beliefs, values, and convictions.
- Practice service and peacemaking as practical expressions of Christian discipleship.
- Cultivate a Christian worldview informed by Anabaptist-Mennonite theology and experience.
Lifestyle integrity: Bethany graduates . . .
- Maintain healthy relationships with others, build friendships, and resolve conflict peaceably.
- Practice stewardship of all God has entrusted to them - including personal gifts, physical wellness, the environment, time, and resources.
- Participate in congregational and broader church life.
- Seek to be compassionate leaders.
- Value diversity and demonstrate cultural sensitivity.
- Balance conscientious work with generous service, enjoyment of leisure, and Sabbath rest.
- Demonstrate integrity and honesty.
- Live with a sense of curiosity and wonder.
Accreditation/Affiliation
Academic accreditation: Since its inception in 1954, Bethany Christian Schools has been accredited by Indiana's Department of Education. Bethany joined the North Central Association in 2006 and completed requirements for NCA accreditation in 2007-08.
Church affiliation and theological context:As the church school of the Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference, Bethany Christian Schools functions within the framework of Mennonite Church USA. The denomination's Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective serves as the foundational theological document for Bethany. What follows is a thumbnail list of core convictions of Mennonite Church USA, which are spelled out in greater detail in Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective:
- We worship a loving God who created all things and continues to sustain them. God created human beings in God's image, to be in relationship with God, to love others, and to take care of the created world.
- God's love for the world was embodied in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, through whom we are reconciled to God as we confess our sin and self-centeredness. We place our hope in God's ultimate victory over evil and death.
- The biblical story teaches us that God loves all people and invites us into relationship. God longs for relationship with people from every race, ethnicity, and nation.
- As we feel God's call, we respond through baptism and church membership.
- The Bible, the Holy Spirit, and the wisdom of the church community guide us in living faithfully as followers of Jesus. The Holy Spirit empowers us to fulfill God's purposes for the world.
- We believe God has given each person gifts for ministry, gifts to be used to build the church and proclaim Christ to the world.
- God intends us to participate in God's way by living with integrity, embracing peace and nonviolence, and seeking justice and wholeness for humanity and for all creation. Our service, mission, and stewardship are grateful responses to God's generosity.
Mennonite education affiliation and accreditation: Bethany Christian Schools is a member of the Mennonite Schools Council (MSC), a network of about 35 pre-K through 12 Mennonite schools serving more than 10,000 students in the US, Puerto Rico, and Canada. In partnership with the church, the Mennonite Schools Council advances Christ-centered PreK-12 education by networking schools and equipping them to implement the vision of Anabaptist/Mennonite education. In 2007-08, Bethany completed requirements for accreditation by the Mennonite Education Agency (MEA), which oversees Christian education from pre-K through seminary on behalf of the Mennonite Church USA.
Contact Us
Bethany Christian Schools
2904 South Main Street
Goshen, IN 46526-5499
Phone: 574 534-2567
Fax: 574 533-0150
Email: info@bethanycs.net
Office hours are 7:30-4:00 on school days and 8:30 a.m. to noon on most non-school weekdays.
The BCS offices are closed on holidays, Christmas and spring breaks, the last week of June and first week of July, and most Fridays during summer break.
See the Faculty and Staff page for the email addresses of all faculty and staff. Use the main phone number above to reach them by phone.
Faculty and Staff
To make a general inquiry, call 574 534-2567 or email the office.
To reach faculty or staff members listed, call the office at 574 534-2567 or email them at their email listed below.
Administration and Staff
| Title | Name | Email |
| Principal | Allan Dueck | akdueck@bethanycs.net |
| Assistant Principal | Hank Willems | jhwillems@bethanycs.net |
| Guidance Counselor | Jim Buller | jrbuller@bethanycs.net |
| Admissions Director | Rachel Roth Sawatzky | rrsawatzky@bethanycs.net |
| Homestay Coordinator International Student Liaison | Denise Reesor | dreesor@bethanycs.net |
| Business Manager | Janice Eigsti Miller | jemiller@bethanycs.net |
| Assistant Business Manger | Kari Kern | kjkern@bethanycs.net |
| Accountant | Stephanie Shover | sashover@bethanycs.net |
| Advancement Director/Alumni Relations | Scott Richer | saricher@bethanycs.net |
| Advancement Assistant | Karen Shenk | kjshenk@bethanycs.net |
| Athletic Director | Benji Hurst | bjhurst@bethanycs.net |
| Communication Coordinator | J. Kevin Miller | jkmiller@bethanycs.net |
| Librarian | Margaret Fisher | mrfisher@bethanycs.net |
| Technology Director | Peter Shetler | pdshetler@bethanycs.net |
| Maintenance Director | Brent Miller | bdmiller@bethanycs.net |
| Cafeteria Manager | Joy Yoder | jlyoder@bethanycs.net |
| Groundskeeper | Mano Mounsithiraj | mmounsithiraj@bethanycs.net |
| Groundskeeper | Dwight Kauffman | dmkauffman@bethanycs.net |
| Administrative Assistant | Denise Risser | darisser@bethanycs.net |
| Receptionist | Robin Yoder | info@bethanycs.net |
Grade 4-5 Faculty
| Name | Email |
| Hochstetler, Linda | lhochstetler@bethanycs.net |
| Stoltzfus, Eliza | emstoltzfus@bethanycs.net |
Middle School Faculty
| Name | Primary Subject Area or Grade | Email |
| Grieser, Beth | Grade 6 | eagrieser@bethanycs.net |
| Hershberger, Juanita | Grade 6 | jjhershberger@bethanycs.net |
| Benji Hurst | Phys Ed 7 & 8 | bjhurst@bethanycs.net |
| Kaufmann, Eric | Art 7 | egkaufmann@bethanycs.net |
| Lehman, Tim | Social Studies 7 & 8 | tclehman@bethanycs.net |
| Mast, Cheryl | Science 7 & 8, Math 8 | clmast@bethanycs.net |
| Miller, Matt | Bible 7 & 8, Math 7 | mlmiller@bethanycs.net |
| Nafziger, Evie | Language Arts 7 & 8 | enafziger@bethanycs.net |
| Parson, Krysten | Phys Ed 6 | klparson@bethanycs.net |
| Shetler, Peter | Digital Communication | pdshetler@bethanycs.net |
| Slagel, Barb | Instrumental Music | bjslagel@bethanycs.net |
| Stutzman, Christine | Family & Consumer Science | clstutzman@bethanycs.net |
| Swartzendruber, Nathan | Vocal Music | nlswartzendruber@bethanycs.net |
High School Faculty
| Name | Primary Subject Area | |
| Becker-Hoover, Eileen | English | efbhoover@bethanycs.net |
| Bodiker, Dan | Driver Ed | dfbodiker@bethanycs.net |
| Gautsche, Lisa | Algebra II | ljgautsche@bethanycs.net |
| Kaufmann, Eric Good | Art | egkaufmann@bethanycs.net |
| Mast, John | Special Services, Algebra | jsmast@bethanycs.net |
| Parson, Krysten | Phys Ed and Health | klparson@bethanycs.net |
| Reinhardt, Brent | Social Studies | bareinhardt@bethanycs.net |
| Shenk, Dale | Bible | deshenk@bethanycs.net |
| Slagel, Barbara | Instrumental Music | bjslagel@bethanycs.net |
| Stutzman, Christine | Family & Consumer Science | clstutzman@bethanycs.net |
| Swartzendruber, Calvin | Chemistry and Physics | cfswartzendruber@bethanycs.net |
| Swartzendruber, Nathan | Vocal Music | nlswartzendruber@bethanycs.net |
| Thut, Amy | Biology & Env. Science | aethut@bethanycs.net |
| Warkentin, Marcelo | Spanish | mwarkentin@bethanycs.net |
| Yeakey, Michael | English | mayeakey@bethanycs.net |
| Yoder, Renae | Math | ryoder@bethanycs.net |
| Yoder, Talashia Keim | Musical Theater | tkyoder@bethanycs.net |
Direct all other inquiries to info@bethanycs.net
BCS Board
| Officers | Name | Mennonite Church | Term(s) |
| Chair | Jim Alvarez | Berkey Avenue | 2009-14 |
| Asst. Chair | Sharon Yoder | Olive | 2009-12 |
| Treasurer | Dave Hawkins | Clinton Frame | 2007-13 |
| Secretary | John Troyer, conf. rep | Clinton Frame | 2010-12 |
| Randy Christophel | Silverwood | 2003-14 | |
| Michelle Horning | Eighth Street | 2011-14 | |
| Marsha Busenitz King | Yellow Creek | 2009-12 | |
| Linford Martin | First of Middlebury | 2004-14 | |
| Barb Smucker | Berkey Avenue | 2008-13 | |
| Rachel Lehman Stoltzfus | Forks | 2007-13 | |
| Orville Yoder | Benton | 2006-12 |
Board contact information may be obtained from the school office.