A Season Of Gratitude

November is upon us—a month that naturally draws our hearts toward gratitude. As the leaves finish their bright display and the air turns crisp, we are reminded again of God’s goodness and the many blessings He has poured out on our school community this fall.

One of the highlights we are anticipating is Grandparents Day on November 6. This event gives our students the joy of welcoming their grandparents to campus, sharing in a meal together, and giving them a glimpse into their daily school life. Few things warm the heart quite like seeing generations gathered around tables—proud grandparents, smiling students, and conversations weaving stories of heritage and hope. We are thankful for the deep roots of faith and family that continue to nourish our community and shape the next generation.

We also extend an excited congratulations to our Lady Legends Volleyball team, who have earned their way into the PIAA State Championship Tournament, joining the top sixteen schools in Pennsylvania for the second straight year! This remarkable accomplishment reflects not only the team’s athletic skill and perseverance but also their Christ-centered character and teamwork. We are proud of the way they have represented Ephrata Mennonite School with excellence, both on and off the court, as Kingdom Citizens and Lifelong Learners.

Another reason for thanksgiving this month is the overwhelming success of our Fall Auction Fundraiser, which raised $98,000. What a blessing! We are so grateful for every volunteer, donor, and bidder who helped make the event a success. These funds go directly toward enhancing student learning, supporting teachers, and ensuring that the mission of Christian education continues to thrive at Ephrata Mennonite School. Your learning to serve spirit is a powerful reminder of God’s provision through His people.

As November continues, we also look ahead to Parent-Teacher Conferences on November 6 and 7. These conversations are an important part of our shared commitment to each student’s growth. We are grateful for parents who take an active role in their child’s education and for teachers who invest deeply in each learner—academically, emotionally, and spiritually. Together, we model what it means to walk hand in hand for the good of our children and for the glory of God.

As we enter the Thanksgiving season, may our hearts overflow with gratitude. In every success, in every challenge, and in every ordinary school day, we recognize the Lord’s faithfulness. Psalm 100 reminds us, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name.” Truly, the Lord has been good to us. May we continue to cultivate thankful hearts and live out that gratitude in service to one another.

Mr. Joshua Good

Administrator

October at EMS:  Harvest of Blessings

The crispness of October mornings, the swirl of golden leaves, and the hint of woodsmoke in the air remind us that the seasons are shifting once again. At Ephrata Mennonite School, fall brings not only the beauty of God’s creation but also the blessing of gathering together as a community, celebrating milestones, and watching our students grow in faith, character, and achievement.

One of the highlights of September was our annual school auction, and what a joyful event it was! Parents, alumni, and friends filled the gymnasium, creating a lively atmosphere of fellowship and support. The donated items—ranging from furniture, to tools, to baked goods—were a testimony to the generosity of our extended EMS family. More than just raising funds, the auction reminded us of the shared vision that binds us together: to provide an education that is academically strong, spiritually grounded, and rooted in community.

Fall also marks an exciting season for EMS athletics. Our Legends have been making history on the courts and the fields this year. The girls’ volleyball team has fought their way to an outstanding position, currently ranked #2 in District 3, while the boys’ soccer team continues to climb the standings, holding a place in the top ten of the district. These achievements reflect not only the talent of our athletes, but also the discipline, teamwork, and perseverance that our coaches instill. We rejoice in the way our students shine, both in competition and in the way they carry themselves as Christ-honoring young people.

October also brings with it opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. This month our 10th grade students will be traveling to Boston for their educational trip. This journey allows them to step into the pages of history, exploring the landmarks of the American Revolution and connecting classroom learning with real-world experience. These trips are formative—deepening knowledge, strengthening friendships, and broadening horizons in ways that textbooks alone cannot provide.

Last but not least, we are excited as a school community to host five 10th grade students from our Mennonite Brethren partner school, Free Christian School of Neuwied, from Germany. They will be attending EMS for two weeks. We anticipate a similar opportunity for some of our high school students to attend their school for a couple weeks towards the end of next semester. This international learning is a great opportunity for EMS students to experience the global Kingdom of God. Look for more information on this opportunity from Mr. Oberholtzer in the upcoming months.

As we move deeper into fall, we are mindful of the many blessings God has poured out on our school. From successful events and athletic triumphs to the joy of learning and discovery, we see His hand at work among us. Like the harvest season itself, October is a time of gratitude—a reminder to pause, to give thanks, and to celebrate the fruit that comes from faithful labor, prayer, and God’s abundant grace.

Mr. Joshua Good

Administrator

Back To School!

It feels good to be back in school again. After a quiet summer, our classrooms and hallways are alive with students learning, teachers guiding, and friendships being renewed. We are grateful for a smooth start to the school year, and our students have been a joy to work with. Dusting off the cobwebs in our minds as we re-engage in the study of math, English, Bible, and more, we are reminded of the good things in life—community, learning, and the opportunity to share Christian education together.

This year our chosen core value is Lifelong Learning. On the first day of school, we reflected on Proverbs 1, where Solomon outlines his learning objectives: to receive instruction, to learn from the wise, and to embrace the truth that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Together, we discussed three dispositions that form the heart of lifelong learning:

1. Humility, which enables a teachable spirit.
2. Reflection, which leads to growth and wisdom.
3. Vulnerability, which acknowledges mistakes and opens the way to learning.
   
   

We are asking God to help us weave this value into every part of school life. Our teachers are committed to modeling what it means to remain curious and teachable themselves, so that students can see that education is not something to be “completed” but a lifelong pursuit rooted in faith and wisdom. Please pray for us as we seek to cultivate this posture in all 378 of our Legends this year.

Another highlight of September is our Auction and Fall Festival. For the first time, this event has been moved from the summer into the school year, creating a new rhythm of gathering and celebration. The auction will take place on September 12, followed by an evening of food and entertainment on September 13 featuring Ryan and Friends and Conrad Fisher. Children’s activities, fellowship, and opportunities to support the mission of EMS will round out the event. Please review the notes from our board and auction committee, which explain why this fundraiser is so important and how you can help. Your involvement is vital, and we look forward to seeing you there.

We are also excited about the return of Legends athletics. Both our Lady Legends volleyball team and our boys soccer team are carrying forward the tradition of representing our school and Christ with integrity and passion. These athletes are already demonstrating teamwork, perseverance, and discipline—qualities that matter just as much off the court and field as they do on it. Athletics at EMS extend our mission by shaping character, building community, and teaching lessons of resilience and humility. You are welcome to bring your family out to one of our home games to cheer on the Legends! You will enjoy it.

As we begin this year together, we covet your prayers. Pray for our students as they grow in wisdom and faith. Pray for our staff as they teach, mentor, and disciple with energy and joy. Pray for our school community as a whole, that we would remain steadfast in our mission of nurturing lifelong learners who love God and serve others. We trust that God will be faithful, and we step into this year with hope and anticipation.

Mr. Joshua Good

Administrator

The Joy Of Lifelong Learning

As summer settles across Lancaster County, we find ourselves in that blessed pause between the end of one school year and the beginning of the next. The long days, slower evenings, and the rhythm of lawnmowers, ice cream cones, and family road trips offer a welcome change of pace. For students, staff, and families alike, summer is a gift—a time to rest, reflect, and renew.

Yet even now, in these quieter days, we’re reminded that learning never really stops. Growth continues—in hearts, minds, and spirits—as we move through life with curiosity and openness. That’s why our core value for the coming school year, Lifelong Learning, feels so timely and important.

This value is more than just a catchphrase. It is a commitment—rooted in Scripture and expressed in the daily rhythms of our school community. Proverbs 1:5 reminds us, “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.” At Ephrata Mennonite School, we aim not only to develop strong students, but to form thoughtful, Spirit-led disciples of Jesus—people who never stop growing in wisdom, compassion, and truth.

We want to share some exciting news with you as we look ahead. Ephrata Mennonite School has been recognized as a Top Christian School for 2025 by Education Insider Magazine, a national publication. We are grateful to receive this recognition. We were not expecting it and are humbled to have been nominated. It is a reflection of the extraordinary work of our teachers and staff, the ongoing support of our parent community, and above all, the goodness of God. We view this not as a finish line, but as an encouragement to continue striving for excellence in all we do—for the glory of God and the good of our students.

Lifelong learning begins with humility. It takes courage to say, “I still have more to learn.” It invites us into the posture of the disciple—willing to ask questions, listen deeply, reflect honestly, and stay open to growth. As adults, we model this for our children not only when we pursue knowledge, but when we own our mistakes, adapt to new circumstances, and submit ourselves to God’s ongoing work of transformation.

This summer, we encourage you—students, parents, and staff alike—to keep learning. Read widely. Reflect deeply. Talk to your children about what God is teaching you. Look for ways to grow in love, in patience, and in service. Even vacation has lessons to teach us—about margin, about joy, and about the beauty of creation.

Meanwhile, the work at EMS continues behind the scenes. Staff are reviewing curriculum, preparing classrooms, and finalizing plans for the 2025–26 school year. We are praying, dreaming, and refining—all with the hope that this year will be another step forward in our mission of discipling students in the way of Jesus.

Please pray for us as we prepare. Pray that our school community would be marked by wisdom, humility, and joy. And pray that we, as a body of believers, would be lifelong learners—always growing in grace, always pressing onward, and always looking to Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Enjoy your summer. We look forward to seeing you again in August.

Mr. Joshua Good

Administrator

Ephrata Mennonite School Earns Full Accreditation with High Praise

For the past 18 months, the EMS Long-Range Planning Committee has been diligently working through our seven-year reaccreditation process with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA-CESS). This esteemed independent organization conducts rigorous evaluations to ensure schools provide high-quality education, maintain sound financial management, foster effective leadership, and uphold principled governance. Recognized nationally for its accreditation work across public and private schools, MSA-CESS holds institutions to the highest standards.

This week marked the culmination of our accreditation efforts with a four-day visit from an external team of experts led by Dr. Robert Griffiths. Their comprehensive evaluation of Ephrata Mennonite School included in-depth discussions with parents, teachers, school leaders, board members, students, and community members. They visited classrooms, reviewed safety protocols, assessed our curriculum and budget, and examined teacher effectiveness and learning support programs.

We are thrilled to announce that the visiting team affirmed our school’s achievements. They specifically praised the excellence of our teaching staff, the joy and enthusiasm of our students, the engagement of our parents, the quality of our athletic programs, the strength of our learning support services, and the health of our governance and leadership. Additionally, they provided valuable formal recommendations for future growth, including the potential development of a full science lab and the creation of an alumni tracking system to follow graduates’ progress.

Most significantly, Ephrata Mennonite School was awarded full and unconditional accreditation—without stipulations or conditions. As we look ahead to the next seven years, we remain committed to excellence in all areas, striving to model lifelong learning for the glory of God. We take great joy in offering a high-quality educational experience from a conservative Anabaptist perspective and invite our community to join us in thanking the Lord for His many blessings.

Let us celebrate together the full accreditation of Ephrata Mennonite School!