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Lower School

A Private Christian Elementary for Students in K-Grade 5

Bethany’s Lower School offers our youngest students — including kindergarteners — a hands-on, innovative, and inquiry-based learning environment. Small class sizes allow teachers to provide individualized instruction so that each child can receive focused attention in areas where they’re facing challenges, as well as in areas of giftedness. Core curriculum is based on Indiana state standards, and is coupled with enrichment instruction in art, drama, technology, physical education, vocal music and beginning instruments, or vocal and instrumental music.

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Philosophy

Bethany is dedicated to helping lower school students establish a strong foundation for the future, enabling them to become lifelong scholars and global citizens who find joy in learning and are able to contribute and adapt to a changing and complex world. The lower school provides a supportive environment, emphasizing academic excellence balanced with attention to individual needs for intellectual, emotional, physical, and social development.

Lower School garden

The Lower School offers many distinctive opportunities including:

  • A strong connection to nature: Outdoor activity and multiple breaks each day are prioritized, with students dressing appropriately to spend time outdoors in all seasons and all types of weather.
  • Hands-on learning with real impact: Our farm-to-school program allows students to help provide healthy food for our cafeteria — tending chickens, working in school gardens, growing greens in classrooms, and more.
  • Faith woven into daily life: Bible curriculum in the lower grades focuses on students recognizing themselves as children of God, seeing themselves in the arc of God’s big story, and building peaceable communities at school and at home. SALT (Serving and Learning Together) occurs every other Monday. The purpose of SALT is for students to gather in the chapel to sing, pray, and listen to individual/class gifts in music and speaking. Students of all grades look forward to this day of learning to know one another and guest speakers in a new way. 
  • Cultivating a heart for service: Lower school students learn the importance of service by giving of their time to help others…even if it’s by doing something as simple as collecting recycling around the school each week.

Nurturing Hearts, Minds, and Futures

Students learn best when they feel known and loved at school. Each child is known and cared for here, while special attention is given to managing and building a positive classroom dynamic. All of these elements work together to ensure the holistic and healthy growth of each child — emotionally, academically, socially, and spiritually.   As students transition from Lower School to Middle School and High School, they continue to build on this strong foundation, further developing their critical thinking and leadership skills.

Come see our Christian elementary in Goshen, IN, for yourself

One of the best ways to decide if a private school is the right fit for your family is to visit the campus. You’ll tour classrooms and facilities, talk to students and teachers, and have the chance to experience our welcoming community.