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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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 Statement
• Core Values
• Graduate Profile
• Accreditation and Affiliation

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.

 

 

Application Form

In addition to filling out this online application, you will also need to submit the items listed on the application process page. Please fill out a complete application--an asterisk (*) indicates a field that must be completed for the form to be submitted.

Applying for Grade: * 456789101112

Beginning Semester: *

1

2

School Year: *

Student

First Name (Legal): *

First Name (Preferred):

Nickname or name student prefers to be called

Middle Name:

Last Name: *

Street Address: *

City: *

State: *

Postal Code: *

ZIP/Postal Code

U.S. County of Residence:

Gender: * - Select -FM

Birth Date: *

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Day12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Year20102011201220132014

Email:

Home Phone: *

Cell Phone:

School

(to be completed by parent/guardian)

School last attended: *

Phone: *

Current School Corporation:

Is the applicant able to meet essential performance requirements of Bethany, either with or without reasonable accommodations?: *

Yes

No

If no, describe briefly the nature of the assistance needed (optional):

Family

Father/Male Guardian

First Name:

Middle Name:

Last Name:

Relationship: - None -ParentGuardianStepparentOther

Street Address:

ZIP/Postal Code:

City:

State:

Home Phone:

Work Phone:

Cell Phone:

Home Email:

Work Email:

Employer:

Job Title:

BCS Alum?: Not a BCS Alum20052004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986198519841983198219811980197919781977197619751974197319721971197019691968196719661965196419631962196119601959195819571956

Select graduating year if you are a BCS alum

Mother/Female Guardian

First Name:

Middle Name:

Last Name:

Street Address:

City:

State:

ZIP/Postal Code:

Home Phone:

Work Phone:

Cell Phone:

Home Email:

Work Email:

Employer:

Job Title:

BCS Alum?: Not a BCS Alum20052004200320022001200019991998199719961995199419931992199119901989198819871986198519841983198219811980197919781977197619751974197319721971197019691968196719661965196419631962196119601959195819571956

Select graduating year if you are a BCS alum

Paternal Grandparents

Grandfather's Last Name:

Grandfather's First Name:

Grandfather BCS Alum: - None -Not a BCS Alum200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019891988198719861985198419831982198119801979197819771976197519741973197219711970196919681967196619651964196319621961196019591958195719561955

Grandmother's Last Name:

Grandmother's First Name:

Grandmother BCS Alum: - None -Not a BCS Alum200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019891988198719861985198419831982198119801979197819771976197519741973197219711970196919681967196619651964196319621961196019591958195719561955

Street Address:

City:

State:

ZIP/Postal Code:

Phone:

Email:

Maternal Grandparents

Grandfather's Last Name:

Grandfather's First Name:

Grandmother's Last Name:

Grandfather BCS Alum: - None -Not a BCS Alum200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019891988198719861985198419831982198119801979197819771976197519741973197219711970196919681967196619651964196319621961196019591958195719561955

Grandmother's First Name:

Grandmother BCS Alum: - None -Not a BCS Alum200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019891988198719861985198419831982198119801979197819771976197519741973197219711970196919681967196619651964196319621961196019591958195719561955

Street Address:

City:

State:

ZIP/Postal Code:

Phone:

Email:

Siblings

1st Sibling

Click the links below to add additional siblings

Name:

Birth date:

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Day12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Year20102011201220132014

Current School:

Grade Level: - None -Pre-KK123456789101112HS Grad

2nd Sibling

Name:

Birth date:

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Day12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Year20102011201220132014

Current School:

Grade Level:

3rd Sibling

Name:

Birth date:

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Day12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Year20102011201220132014

Current School:

Grade Level:

4th Sibling

Name:

Birth date:

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Day12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

Year20102011201220132014

Current School:

Grade Level:

Personal Faith and Interests

Place of worship:

Denomination/Faith Group:

Street Address:

City:

State:

Postal Code:

Phone:

Pastor:

Youth Leader:

What do Christ and the Christian faith mean to you at this stage in your life?:

What characteristics of Bethany interest your family and why is Bethany a good match for you?:

List your interests and awards—in and out of school—related to academics, arts, sports, church, community service, clubs, etc.:

Interests

In which of the following activities would you like to participate at Bethany? (•middle school only; *high school only)

Athletics:

Volleyball (girls)

Cross Country

Soccer

Basketball

Cheerleading*

Softball* or Basebal

Tennis

Track

Intramurals

Music and Drama:

Choir

Orchestra

Bruin Jazz*

Private Lessons in Voice

Private Lessons in Instrument

Drama

Musical*

Handbells•

If you select Orchestra or Jazz Band, please enter your instrument in the space below

Instrument (list musical instrument you play or are interested in playing):

Academic and Student Leadership:

Academic Superbowl*

Chapel Committee*

Chess Club

Speech and Debate*

Student Government

School Paper

Yearbook

Photography

Student Authorization: *

Applicant agrees

I affirm that the information provided in the application is accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Parent/Guardian Authorization: *

We agree (all parents/guardians)

We affirm that the information provided in the application is accurate to the best of our knowledge.

Information Release: *

Parent/Guardian authorizes

I authorize the designated representative of the applicant's current/most recent school to release information for the applicant to Bethany Christian Schools for admissions purposes.

Non-descrimination statement

Bethany Christian Schools admits qualified students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

Supporting Documents

Items to submit with application

The following forms should be submitted to the admissions office along with your application. Use the online submission forms below. Or for print versions, download at the links below or request a copy from Bethany's admissions office.

• Academic Reference. Fill out online or download form.
• Personal Reference. Fill out online or download form.

Items to submit once admitted

• Enrollment Information Form
• Enrollment Contract
• Permission for Treatment, Dispensing Medications, and Travel Form—must be signed in the presence of a notary public
• Immunization records from applicant's physician or the health department.
• Community Life Expectations Agreement

All forms should be sent to:

Admissions Director

Bethany Christian Schools

2904 South Main Street

Goshen, IN 46526-5499

fax: 574 533-0150

email: admissions@bethanycs.net

Grants, Scholarships, and Discounts

Students from outside the U.S. should see information for International Students.

2012-13 Entry-level Discounts: Students entering grades 6-9 in fall 2012 who enroll at Bethany for the first time will be eligilble for a one-time entry-level tuition discount as follows:

• $1,500 off regular tuition, or
• $1,000 off partnership church tuition

Merit-Based Scholarships. Students entering grades 6 or 9 who enroll at Bethany for the first time are eligible to participate in scholarship testing with the top two scorers in each grade receiving a $1,000 scholarship. Testing dates for 2012-13 school year: March 15 and 17, 2012. Register. Following are the 2011-12 recipients:

Multiple Child Discount: Families with more than one child attending Bethany concurrently receive a 10% discount off tuition for the second child and 20% for each additional child.

Pastors Grant: Children of pastors qualify for a grant of up to 40% of regular tuition. Download form.

Goshen College/Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary Grant: Children of employees of Goshen College and AMBS qualify for the full-funding partnership church tuition rate (up to 15% off). Download form.

Need-based Assistance from the Bethany Fund: In 2011-12 Bethany awarded over $400,000 in need-based assistance. Information on applying is on the tuition assistance page.

Other Forms of Financial Assistance:

Congregational Assistance: Many congregations provide assistance for students from their congregation to attend Bethany. Check with your church's office to find out if assistance is available.

Bethany Association to Reduce Tuition (BART): You can earn money toward a current or future student's tui tion when purchasing certificates/gift cards at participating businesses. For more information, see BART.

Further Financial Information and Assistance:

Contact:
Bethany Christian Schools
2904 South Main Street
Goshen, IN 46526-5499
phone 574 534-2567 fax 574 533-0150
email admissions@bethanycs.net

School Choice Vouchers

The Indiana Choice Scholarship Program, enacted in May of 2011, provides vouchers for students from eligible Indiana families to attend their school of choice. For information about receiving a voucher, see below or contact admissions@bethanycs.net.

Eligibility for School Choice Vouchers

Indiana law requires that students must have been in a public school for the two semesters prior to the the semester in which they will receive the scholarship or have received a grant from a Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) in the past. In addition families must earn no more than the following income levels (based on family size, including parents and children):

2012-13 Income Guidelines*

Household Size	Annual Income	Monthly Income	Weekly Income
2	$41,986	$3,499	$807
3	$52,975	$4,415	$1,019
4	$63,964	$5,330	$1,230
5	$74,953	$6,2,46	$1,441
6	$85,942	$7,162	1,653
7	$96,931	$8,078	1,864
each additional	add $10,989	add $916	add $211

*The School Choice voucher income guidelines are indexed on the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Guidelines and are updated annually.

Bethany Christian Schools admits qualified students in grades 4-12 of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

Sample Tuition Scenarios

Links in the table below provide sample scenarios for families with 4 or 5 members. For information on other family sizes, contact the admissions office admissions@bethanycs.net or 574 534-2567.

Family of 4	High School	Middle School
Family of 5	High School	Middle School

Application Process

We welcome your interest in Bethany Christian Schools. Our goal is to make the application process simple and straightforward. Click here to read the steps in the application process, download required forms, and submit your applicaiton.

Tuition Assistance

Bethany is committed to affordability for all families seeking Christian education.

Need-based tuition assistance is granted to families based on a financial need assessment by an independent third party, Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST), using a formula that takes into account family income, size, and other factors. Families requesting tuition assistance apply on-line and provide complete copies of tax form 1040 and all supporting tax documentation. Separate applications and tax documents are required for both parents in divorced or separated situations.

FAST online tuition assistance application. The deadline for submitting applications for the upcoming school year is March 15. In order to complete the application, FAST requires a $36 payment, which can be made online with VISA or Mastercard or with a voucher purchased from the Bethany business office. New families may contact the business office to receive a complimentary voucher.

 

 

 

 

Program Profile

History

Bethany Christian Schools has been hosting and boarding students since opening in 1954 and formally launched an international student program in 1999. Since then Bethany has hosted more than 140 international students. Bethany is characterized by high academic standards, a mature student culture, opportunities for leadership, a high level of student participation in extracurriculars, traditional college preparatory curriculum, 14 Advanced Placement or dual credit courses, an innovative January term, and comprehensive co-curricular programs.  

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.

Accreditation/Credentials

• Accredited by Indiana Department of Education, North Central Association, and Mennonite Education Agency
• Member of the Mennonite Schools Council (MSC), a network of 35 pre-K through 12 Mennonite schools serving more than 10,000 students in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada
• Respected by colleges and universities, which seek our graduates

Faculty

Bethany’s education is effective primarily becuase of the strong leadership of our faculty, who excel in their field of knowledge, hold high standards, and are capable of inspiring students to reach their potential.

• 64% of faculty hold graduate degrees
• Teacher to student ratio: 1:12.7
• Average class size: 18

Global Perspective

Bethany has a legacy of inclusion. More than 12% of our student body are international students and about 25% represent ethnicities other than Caucasian.
Bethany values the many contributions of international students to our community life. We help them integrate into our student body through extracurricular experiences and classroom work.

College Placement

At Bethany the average SAT score is 1612 and almost 90% of our students take the test. That is 100 points higher than state and national averages, in which only 60% of students participate.

Over 90% of Bethany graduates attend the college of their choice immediately, including top liberal arts colleges and universities such as Notre Dame, Purdue, Rose-Hulman, Indiana, Middlebury, Carleton, Williams, and Bowdoin.

Advanced Placement Courses:
    Literature and Composition 11
    Language and Composition 12
    Calculus
    Government
    Biology

Dual (College) Credit Courses:
    Biology II
    Ceramics I and II
    Chemistry I and II
    Psychology
    Pre-calculus
    Spanish III
    World Religions

National Merit Scholars: 14 since 2000—five times higher than the national average.

Graduation Requirements

Bethany Christian Schools works with each individual student to build a personalized graduation plan given their academic background and preparation.
Bethany requires that all students participate in a January Term which allows them to take an experiential learning component and job shadowing in their intended career field.

Religious Affiliation

Grounded in Mennonite values, Bethany values diversity and welcomes all students, encouraging them to seek a faith they can own. Typically, Bethany students come from about 50 congregations, representing 19 faith groups.

Co-curricular Activities

Bethany offers opportunities to simultaneously develop skills and interests in art, theater, music, and athletics!

Athletics: offer 12 highly-successful varsity sports, winning 7 sectional titles and 2 regional titles in past five years.

Fine Arts: opportunities include a performing arts troupe, choir, orchestras, jazz band, string ensembles, hand bells, dramas, musicals, painting, drawing, photography, and ceramics.

At Bethany we expect students to be leaders who think not just of what is happening in the moment, but who anticipate desired outcomes.

J-Term

In addition to two traditional semesters, Bethany offers a unique educational experience known as J-Term. During the first two weeks of January, students through grade 11 select hands-on, experiential-learning courses, while seniors job shadow in a career interest and take a class trip. Recent offerings include Literary Chicago, Winter Sports, Brazilian Culture, Hopi History and Culture, and Civil Rights in Mississippi.

International Student Profile

Bethany looks for students who are:

• academically motivated and successful
• emotionally and social mature
• willing to get involved in activities
• respectful of world cultures and values
• respectful, flexible, and helpful in their living situation

Boarding and Application Process

Goshen and Elkhart County

Goshen, Indiana, is known as the Maple City because of its many maple trees. The city offers many diverse cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities, including biking and walking trails, canoeing and kayaking opportunities, and easy access to snow skiing, beaches, boating, white water rafting, camping, and hiking. Goshen has small town values and charm, while offering activities and experiences often found in larger nearby cities. Mennonites, and Amish, were among the early settlers in this area, first arriving in 1831. While you can still see Amish driving horse-pulled buggies on our streets, Goshen is a dynamic and growing community of over 31,000 residents nestled in the center of the northern Indiana county of Elkhart.

Application Process

Thank you for your interest in Bethany Chrisitan Schools. Our goal is to make the application process as simple and straightforward as possible. Below are the steps in the process and links to required forms.

Step 1: Get to know us

Become familiar with our academic and extra-curricular programming through our website. For more information call our admissions director at 574 534-2567 or email admissions@bethanycs.net.

Step 2: Apply for admission

Fill out an application in one of two ways:

• Online
• Download or request a printed form, complete, and return to the admissions office by mail or fax (see step 3) or email a digital copy. You may request an application form in person, call the admissions office at 574 534-2567, or email admissions@bethanycs.net.

 

Step 3: Submit the following to:

Admissions Director

Bethany Christian Schools

2904 South Main Street

Goshen, IN 46526-5499

fax: 574 533-0150
email: admissions@bethanycs.net

• Academic records in English from your current school (if possible)
• SLEP score
• Download, complete, return to Bethany by mail/fax/email:
• Academic Reference. Fill out online or download form.
• Personal Reference. Fill out online or download form.
• Non-refundable $150 application fee
• Possible interview via conference call or Skype

 

Step 4: Notification of Admission Status

You will be notified via email of your admission status after the application has been processed. If you have any questions, contact Rachel Roth Sawatzky, admissions director, at admissions@bethanycs.net. Bethany Christian Schools admits qualified  students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

 

Step 5: Enrollment, items to submit once admitted:

• Enrollment Information Form
• Enrollment Contract
• Permission for Treatment, Dispensing Medications, and Travel Form—must be signed in the presence of a notary public
• Community Life Expectations Agreement
• Power of Attorney form
• Immunization records in English from applicant's physician or the health department.
• Proof of international health insurance

Step 6: Issuance of I-20:

Bethany Christian Schools has state department clearance to issue I-20 visas through the SEVIS system. After students have been admitted and have submitted all of the above documents and documentation, the I-20 visa will be issued. When you have obtained your visa, payment of all tuition and fees must be forwarded before arriving on campus.

Supporting Documents

Items to submit with application

The following forms should be submitted to the admissions office along with your application. These forms may be downloaded at the links below or requested from Bethany's admissions office.

• Academic Reference form
• Personal Reference form

 

Items to submit once admitted

Please submit:

• Enrollment Information Form
• Enrollment Contract
• Permission for Treatment, Dispensing Medications, and Travel Form—must be signed in the presence of a notary public
• Community Life Expectations Agreement
• Power of Attorney form
• Immunization records from applicant's physician or the health department.
• Proof of international health insurance

These forms should be sent to:

Admissions Director

Bethany Christian Schools

2904 South Main Street

Goshen, IN 46526-5499

fax: 574 533-0150

email: admissions@bethanycs.net

Financial Information

Tuition and Fees	Middle School (grades 6-8)	High School (grades 9-12)
Tuition*	$11,435	$13,510
Bethany International Student Fees**	$2,900	$2,900
Daily School Lunches	$1,000	$1,000
Total	$15,335	$17,410

*Tuition includes all costs of education except incidentals (such as music and advanced placement fees) and extra curricular activities.

**Bethany international student fees are inclusive of all internal processing and handling fees (with the exception of the initial application fee), educational support services, and social outings/gatherings.  Any possible agent fees are not included.

Other Charges
Homestay fees*	$4,500
Placement fee**	$150

*Fees cover room and board costs for students in grades 9-12 in our on-campus student residence or with local host families, and host family and international student support services (provided on a monthly and/or as-needed basis).

**Assessed with each new residential placement.

For more information and terms of payment, see tuition and fees.

Living Arrangements

Bethany provides two housing options for boarding students. Below is a brief description of each option:

1. Violett House: Bethany maintains an international student residence on campus where up to five students live in a supervised intentional community-type setting. The home itself is a beautiful brick farm house built in 1850, and is on the National Historic Registry of Homes.

 

2. Host Families: Most international students live with a Bethany host family, which is caring, friendly and genuinely interested in welcoming students into their home. Once we assign a host family it is expected that the student will remain there for one academic year. Term extensions are allowable upon review.
   
   Host families are carefully chosen after background checks, personal interviews and home inspections. Bethany maintains communication with the host family throughout the year. 

For more detailed information, see Residential Program Guidelines.

Questions

How many students attend Bethany?

• About 250 students from grades 4-12
• About 10% of students come from countries around the world, including South Korea, Canada, Japan, China, Brazil, and Paraguay.

What do I need to know about studying at Bethany?

• Bethany requires a SLEP score for admission
• NWEA testing is administered after the student arrives on campus. This allows Bethany to assess where students are academically at the time of their arrival, and serves as a guide in helping to select the best course schedule for an individual student. NWEA testing is done in three areas; Math, English, Language Usage
• The guidance counselor will assist students with course selection once they have arrived at Bethany. In many cases the NWEA tests that are administered after arrival help in placing students in the appropriate courses for their educational development. The guidance counselor, host family and mentor teacher will also assist students as needed in navigating the college application process.
• Mentoring is provided for every Bethany student. Mentors are Bethany faculty members who spend 15 minutes every two weeks in one-on-one conversation with students to talk about academic and social issues.
• International student coordinator provides ongoing support to students within the host family setting.
• Bethany operates on a two semester school year. Students take up to 8 courses (including 1-2 study periods) from mid-August to mid December (Semester 1) and then they take up to 8 different courses from mid January to the end of May (Semester 2). Students in grades 6-11 also earn 1 credit during J-term (see next bullet item). In total students can earn up to 15 credits each year. For an Indiana Core 40 High School Diploma, 40 credits are required. For a Core 40 with Academic or Technical Honors diploma, 47 credits must be earned. 
• J-Term: During the first two weeks of January, students in grades 9-11 take one course that meets all day and focuses on hands-on, experiential-learning (receive 1 credit). Middle school students take two courses with each meeting 1/2 day (receive .5 credit for each). All courses are on campus (possible short day trips) during the first week with high school courses having the option to travel during the second week (some courses may opt to run their second week in June instead of January). Seniors will participate one week each in job shadowing and a class trip.
• Participation in extracurriculars is encouraged at Bethany. As a small school, students have full access to many opportunities. Most international students find enjoyment and challenge in the chance to participate in at least one of the following: sports, theater, music, speech and debate team, yearbook etc.