Posted
We wanted to inform you of an important development regarding our PreK program for the upcoming 2025-26 school year.
For nearly 10 years, Lancaster Mennonite School has been proud to serve as a provider of the PreK Counts program, meeting all program requirements and offering quality early childhood education while maintaining our faith-based mission. However, recent changes to the PA PreK Counts Regulations have made it clear that the program will no longer permit faith-based content (including prayer, songs, books, etc.) in any form. The updated regulations have expanded the restrictions on how faith may be present, and unfortunately, these new guidelines are not feasible for us to meet as a faith-based school.
As a result, we will not be participating in the PreK Counts program for the 2025-2026 school year. While this decision is necessary, we remain committed to continuing to provide exceptional educational opportunities for our youngest learners in ways that align with our values and mission. We recognize that this change will impact some families, and we will be reaching out personally to those who will be affected. Additionally, we are inviting people to donate to need-based student aid so that we can provide additional scholarship opportunities for PreK students and families.
Next year’s PreK class age requirement will be 4 years old by February 1st, instead of September 1st, to hopefully allow us to provide as many PreK students a slot in our classrooms as possible. Previously, age exceptions were only made for students receiving the PreK Counts scholarship, and so we are looking forward to expanding our PreK program to a broader range of students and families.
If you know of a student or family interested in PreKindergarten for next year, we encourage you to have them reach out to us to learn more or schedule a tour by contacting LM Director of Enrollment, Claire House via email: housecl@ lancastermennonite.org or scheduling a tour online. Our program is full-day, and families can choose from a a three-day (M, T, Th), four-day (M-Th) or five-day schedule. The program includes Circle Time, Read Aloud, Bible, Chapel, Music, Art, Library, PE/Gym, Recess, Free Play, Rest Time, Forest Fridays, and Spanish Lessons. There is so much for kids to discover in our hands-on investigation and play curriculum taught by our caring, top notch teachers. Learn more about PreK by clicking the button below.
Support LM Learners
If you are interested in generously supporting need-based student aid for LM learners, we invite you to give through one of these many options:
- Educational Tax Improvement Credit (EITC) where businesses can allocate their PA state tax dollars for our school – see more information by clicking the button below
- Cash gifts via credit card or check
- IRA’s and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) for those who are 70 1/2 and older
- Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)
- Endowments, Gifts of Stock, and more!
Please reach out to Kate Grieser, Director of Donor Guidance and Development by email: grieserke@ lancastermennonite.org or phone: 717-740-2425 if you have questions or want to discuss the best way for you to support Lancaster Mennonite school’s mission of providing a transformative, Christ-centered education to as many students as we can!
