Reflector article on enrollmentby Eva Lapp ('11). (Read full issue of Nov. 24 Reflector)

Last year, the Bethany community was unsure about future enrollment as class sizes declined and the school prepared to graduate an unusually large senior class. For the current student body, high school enrollment is down and middle school enrollment is up from previous years. While these statistics show a slight decline in overall enrollment, they do not impose the need for drastic measures to recruit new students--although admissions has started new programs and enhanced current recruiting methods. The school is simply following the enrollment curve, numbers always change.

Across the board, Mennonite schools are experiencing a decline in enrollment. While Lancaster Mennonite High School’s (LMHS) class of 2010 was an unusually small one, LMHS is one of the few Mennonite schools that has had a steady incline in enrollment. Eastern Mennonite High School has also produced a slight incline after having low numbers for the past few years. But for the majority of our Menno brothers and sisters, their respective student bodies are smaller than normal.

Statistics for American private schools give the same results as those mentioned above. Since 2001, private school enrollment has steadily been declining while public school enrollment continues to grow. But yet again, private schools are just riding the curve. Enrollment numbers are predicted to increase again in 2015.

In spite of these statistics, Bethany admissions is still working diligently and brainstorming ideas for recruiting students. Previously recruiting methods included visit days throughout the year for prospective students, Bright Time Summer Camps, and school fundraisers such as the Carnival. While Bethany is continuing these methods, some were revised for better results. This fall, the Carnival was run alongside the Senior Class Fish Fry and proved to be a success as it attracted families with young children. This coming summer, prospective students will have more summer camp options to choose from and camps will also cost less. Students will be able to experience more of the Bethany community for the same cost as previous years.

Along with the methods mentioned above, Bethany has also organized new ways to recruit students. This year, admissions organized the UB Bruin Club, a monthly club where prospective students can build friendships with their future classmates. This club provides a base for students when they begin sixth grade because they already have connections with their peers. The What’s Bruin newsletter was also reintroduced to families of current and prospective students. For programs within the school, Admissions continues to promote the unique experiences that Bethany students enjoy, such as J-term and mentoring.

These attempts to recruit students are raising hope for the coming year. Admissions is in contact with a high number of prospective students. If these numbers hold, Bethany could be looking at keeping two sixth grade classes. Although the classes would not be large, it would be beneficial to students to have a smaller class and would continue to provide two teaching positions.

Enrollment concerns sometimes do need serious and focused attention when numbers experience a continuous drop from year to year. But with Bethany’s outstanding admissions department and statistically normal enrollment drops, the student body has nothing to fear. After all, Bethany is not about numbers, but about community.