BMS Academics
God has blessed BMS with outstanding facilities and a wonderful Christian staff. Our facilities include a computer lab, a full-court gymnasium, three athletic fields, an Act 89 classroom, a learning support room, a weight training room, and eighteen classrooms. Our staff includes a Superintendent, supported by Principals at each educational level, a Director of Finance, a Director of Development, a Director of Technology, an Athletic Director, and a Guidance Counselor. BMS has everything needed to provide students with an outstanding educational experience!
Belleville Mennonite School offers Bible-based instruction from preschool through grade 12. We currently serve families from Mifflin, Juniata, Centre and Huntingdon counties. Through a combination of quality resources and teacher and parent involvement, our students routinely far surpass national averages in standardized testing. Transportation is provided for students in full-day Kindergarten through 12th grade in the Mifflin County, Huntingdon County, and Mount Union School Districts and our cafeteria serves full meals every day.
We routinely evaluate and update our curriculum. In recent years, BMS has made a substantial investment in new reading, math, and science materials to provide classroom access to modern technology both for our teachers and students.
Jesus Christ is of the utmost importance to Belleville Mennonite School's ministry. The school was established by Mennonite ministers and families who desired a Christian education for their families and children. BMS remains a partnership between the family, church and school to this day. As stated in our mission statement, students are inspired to develop their minds, grow their faith and be disciples. They interact every day with loving, sincere Christian teachers who support the spiritual, Bible-based principles of Christian parents.
Students of all grades take part in Bible courses, prayer and devotions, and chapels that are designed to instruct, motivate and praise our Lord. Elementary students take part in chapel services twice a month, while middle and high school students participate each week. Often, this time is an opportunity for local pastors to come and speak to the students on Bible-based themes and scripture. Additionally, choirs and speakers from across the country visit BMS to challenge and minister to the students. Secondary, students also have the opportunity to participate in care groups: small devotional teams led by students.
Belleville Mennonite School also provides extracurricular activities for those students who wish to do more. Our school is a member of the PIAA and fields teams in boys' and girls' soccer and basketball. For the students who have an interest in performing, the high school also presents an annual drama performance for the community. Other activities our students have been a part of include regional spelling bee competitions, speech meets, district chorus, and educational field trips.
In keeping with the founding heritage of our school, we also require students at various times during their enrollment at BMS to serve others. Our high school conducts an annual service day when they go out into the community and work for other people or organizations, and our younger students often take part in programs to visit and interact with the elderly. We have visited nursing homes and senior daycare centers to provide activities or programs for their clients.
In summary, at Belleville Mennonite School, we seek to work in conjunction with the parents and church to provide a "total" education for the young people who attend our school. Academics are certainly one priority, but it is our belief that they are only a part of preparing a young person to lead a full and God-honoring life. For more information about our program, please call us: 717-935-2184.
Community
BMS is a Christian school offering PreK-12th grade education to families living in Mifflin & Huntingdon counties from over 50 different church affiliations. The mission of BMS is to provide a Christ-centered education and Biblical worldview that inspires students to develop minds, build faith, and be disciples.
School
There are currently 228 students enrolled in grades Pre-K through 12. The school was established in 1945 and was registered with full recognition by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Instruction in the school term 1951-52. Belleville Mennonite School holds membership in the Association of Christian Schools International.
Curriculum
Students at Belleville Mennonite School must complete a minimum of 6 credits per year and are required to have 24 credits for graduation. Throughout their high school career, they are required to complete 4 credits of English, 4 credits of Social Studies, 3 credits of Math, 3 credits of Science, 1 credit of Foreign Language, .8 credits of Technology electives, 1.6 credits of Bible, and 4 credits of other electives. Students must also take Physical Education each year and Foundation Studies classes in 10th-12th grades.
Honors classes are offered in American Literature, British Literature, World History and American History. Additional Honors or AP courses may be taken online with approval of the high school guidance counselor. Students in grades 11 and 12 also have the option of taking dual enrollment courses at Juniata College or online in order to obtain college credit while still in high school.
Art
Students K-12 are offered the opportunity and privilege to experiment with many forms of media including pottery, drawing, painting, collage, print-making, sculpture, and glass mosaic in a classroom setting developed specifically for creative minds. They learn the basic Elements of Art, Design Principles, and Color Theory, while learning about Artists and Art Styles. The BMS art teachers have over 20 years of combined teaching experience to assist and guide young artists!
Music
The music program offers a thorough study of music for Kindergarten-12th grade. Elementary students take general music where they receive teaching in musical concepts (history, rhythm, melody, and music from other cultures) and musicianship. At the end of each semester the elementary students perform a musical demonstrating the concepts they have learned during the school year.
BMS offers general music classes to the middle school students. They learn musical concepts, history, and composition and participate in the middle school Chorus. In high school, students have the opportunity to sing in the ensemble choir, as well as participate in district Choir. Other opportunities for music students include 5th grade song fest for elementary students, middle school and high school County Choral Festivals. BMS also offers lessons on various instruments including piano, guitar, and other select instruments.
Physical Education
The physical education program at Belleville Mennonite School strives to give students the opportunity to engage in a variety of physical activities in a fun, safe, and encouraging environment. Elementary students have two thirty minute PE classes per week, while middle and high school students have two full periods of physical education per week. The goal of physical education for elementary students is to introduce them to basic movement skills and sport concepts by participating in fun active noncompetition games and sport lead up games. Students also use these games to learn to work with others in an active environment. The physical education program in middle school and high school students engages students in a wide variety of team and individual sports in order to encourage them to find something active that they love to do and will keep them interested in physical activity even after leaving BMS. Our students learn how much fun it can be to be physically active!
Grade Point Average (GPA) Calculation
GPA is computed using the quality points below. Beginning with grade nine, all subjects, whether passed or failed, are included in the computation. A minimum of 24 credits is required for graduation. In addition, each student must complete a 10-hour per year community service graduation requirement. AP and Honors classes are weighted by one point. Grades are recorded on the transcript and GPA is computed in June.
Grading and Ranking Students are ranked based on their cumulative weighted GPA.
A – Excellent 93–100 (4)
B – Above Average 85–92 (3)
C – Average 77–84 (2)
D – Below average 70–76 (1)
F – Not Passing 69 or below
Here are some interesting facts about our students and graduates:
-60-75% of graduates attend college
-100% graduation rate
-Our graduates attend reputable universities such as Penn State University, Cornell University, Susquehanna University, the Air Force Academy, Arcadia University, state universities and various other colleges and universities.
-BMS alumni are business owners, physicians, teachers, dentists, nurses, lawyers, editors, researchers, missionaries, farmers and hold many other esteemed professional positions all across the country and our world!
“When our daughter, Alex, approached the high school years, we began looking for an alternative to public schooling. Having already had an older child graduate from the public school system, we had an up close view of the decay of morals and standards of that environment. We began looking at homeschooling and Christian schools. BMS stood out in having reasonable, yet high standards, morals, and Biblical view that were in line with our own. The small class size and one-on-one attention she receives from the teachers is a benefit that public schools cannot offer. Alex has truly blossomed in her faith, personality, attitude, and academics beyond what we had hoped for. Sending Alex to BMS has truly been a blessing and wise decision.”
-Dave and Sharon Bookamer, parents of Alexandra, class of 2017