Sentinel photo by TOM LAUB
Belleville Mennonite School Superintendent Nicholas Wilson is prepared for the upcoming school year.

BELLEVILLE — It’s not easy being a small private school, but Belleville Mennonite School has kept the faith and persevered for nearly eight decades.

While it doesn’t have the enrollment or budget of larger schools, Superintendent Nicholas Wilson said students at Belleville Mennonite School will discover improvements and renovations, along with some projects to enhance the atmosphere and aesthetic across the campus when they return on Wednesday, Aug. 30.

That excites Wilson, who is entering his fifth year as an administrator and fourth as superintendent.

“First and foremost, I am looking forward to students and faculty returning to campus,” Wilson explained. “There is a lot that happens at the school over the summer, but the days are different without classroom sounds and everyone present and in motion.

“I believe our theme of renewal and refreshing this year will benefit both students and teachers as they continue to learn, sharpen skills and grow together in different and exciting ways with new energy and focus,” he added.

Wilson said the school is fortunate to have individuals within their school family and across the greater community who work tirelessly with them to meet their mission-based goals and share their vision of continual improvement and development for the good of their students.

“We have some excellent new teachers joining our strong faculty this year, and I am beyond grateful for the privilege to continue leading and guiding such a fine group of instructors and administrators at a school like BMS,” Wilson explained.

With students needing every advantage they can get when entering an ultra-competitive workforce, the school has looked to expand beyond traditional classes.

“We are continually exploring ways we can utilize the giftings and skill sets of our teachers while partnering with community professionals and resources to expand our programming and offerings here,” Wilson said. “Last year, we began to grow initial vocational opportunities, which we aim to expand greatly over the next two years – establishing cooperative experiences and working to best prepare our students interested in the ever-growing trade fields and needs across our region and nation. 

“In addition to this push, we will be offering exciting new electives that will provide students with unconventional and unique learning platforms over the coming year,” he added.

Of course, expanding programs raises operational costs. To stay competitive, increased financial scholarships are designed to offset the cost of education.

That has placed additional pressure on fundraisers to be more successful than ever. Those same fundraisers also bring the community together and can set the tone for the

upcoming school year.

“Like our school auction that draws a huge crowd with great outcomes each year, our recent BMS golf tournament pulled together neighbors, business owners, teachers, spouses, administrators, board members and families to have a day of fun, fellowship and excellent prizes while blessing the school in a big way,” Wilson stressed. “We continue to value our area partners and local contributors as we recognize the value they bring to our wonderful region.  It takes an entire community with shared interests to meet strategic goals for the good of our kids.”

As a smaller school, administrators and staff have to be more creative with their available resources to stretch them further.

“With BMS being a smaller school, we have to be creative and proactive with our approaches to growth and development,” Wilson explained. “God continues to provide and guide us in His wisdom to see and go after opportunities that will help us to do just that.  The experience is different here with a focus on spiritual development paired with high rigor instruction and individualized academic offerings. 

“Our athletic program is strong and expanding like our electives and extracurriculars, and our Pre-K through 12 programming continues to meet the needs of our students as well as prepare them for the real world and future ahead of them each day,” he added.

Wilson is proud of the school’s accomplishments in recent years, especially coming out of the pandemic. He is thankful that his staff remains passionate about teaching students and is excited about the school’s future.

“My faculty and staff have grown and developed great capacity and resilience through several years of challenging times, including a worldwide pandemic that we pushed through together during my first year – for the good of our students in careful, yet new, creative, and determined ways,” Wilson said. “Teachers and staff members across our school are filled with a passion for shaping young minds and guiding generations of youth to walk with Christ while preparing for their contribution to society. 

“Our world needs people who love, serve and look beyond self to make a change impact that will resonate for future generations,” he added. “I am proud to lead and serve at BMS and believe that we are heading in a great direction together with Jesus, truth, integrity and excellence at the core of what we do here.”