BELLEVILLE — Citing the desire to have a school name that more fully reflects its Christ-centered education and Biblical worldview, Belleville Mennonite School will become Belleville Christian School for the 2025-26 school year.

“We want our name to speak more clearly to who we are and what area families can expect their children to experience here,” Belleville Mennonite School Superintendent Nicholas Wilson explained.

“Our core values, mission, and vision remain focused and intact with the Belleville Thunder branding staying consistent as well moving forward,” Wilson added.

Wilson said the process to change the school’s name has involved an informed team effort in numerous phases that will proceed over the coming months into the summer with final implementation leading up to the new school year.

“BCS is continually growing and expanding offerings for students, and we stand firm on our Christian values and God’s truth in a wavering world,” Wilson said.

BMS was founded as Kishacoquillas Valley Christian Day School by area church ministers and leaders who sought to provide an environment where the children of their homes and congregations were not only educated, but enriched in a Christ-centered environment and taught and guided by Christian teachers, according to a press release issued by the school.

The vision that these ministers and leaders had in 1945 still stands today as the school’s Christian teachers strive to develop the hearts and minds of students in the name of Christ.

“For the past 80 years, we have been partnering with families and churches of our students to provide a Christ-centered education and Biblical worldview that inspires students to develop minds, build faith, and be disciples,” Belleville Mennonite School Development Director Gwen Renno said.

School officials said intentional efforts to deepen the school’s spiritual focus and Biblical worldview practices that make them different have been at the forefront of their efforts in recent years.

An emphasis on God’s truth, service and discipleship continue to provide a core framework for the school community and its unchanging mission and vision.

School officials value the extraordinary role that churches and church leaders play in the lives of their students as they walk in meaningful partnership together.

“We are deeply grateful for the home churches of our families and appreciate the many congregations represented by our growing student body,” Renno said.

“We have an incredible, expanding community and look forward to engaging even more families in new ways as we continue to honor what God began with 28 students and one teacher,” Renno added.

The school’s board, administration, faculty and staff is excited to continue growing as Belleville Christian School, a strong academic culture grounded in personal growth, scripture and discipleship.

Over the coming months, officials plan to update and refresh key branding elements such as school signage, website, promotional materials and all related legal and academic platforms.

Officials stressed the Belleville Thunder name and logo will remain intact, along with our unwavering mission, vision, and admissions process.

“Belleville Christian will continue to be a school that provides students with a unique and relevant education firmly rooted in Biblical truth,” Renno said. “Our shared interest and dream for BCS moving forward is reflected in the words of Irene Peachey, a high school student in 1947, ‘Our united prayer is that God may enable us to exalt His name through this school.'”