Simona Koch
Head of school
Simona leads the school day to day and teaches Bible to grades 7 and 8. She meets every family at a visit day.
Christian K-8 in Lititz, Pennsylvania
A small Christian school for kindergarten to grade 8
Belfry is a church-affiliated school of about 90 students. Chapel is on Wednesdays, every family who wants what we teach is welcome, and summer day weeks run in June and July.
Chapel week
Chapel is on Wednesday mornings
Once a week the whole school meets in the chapel for about forty minutes: a few songs, a short talk from a teacher or a visiting pastor, and a prayer. Children sit with their class, and the older ones help lead the singing.
Families are welcome too. On the first Wednesday of each month, parents, grandparents and neighbors may sit in, and the office will tell you where to park and where to sit.
Wednesday mornings, the whole school together
Open to families and neighbors on the first Wednesday of each month
Songs, a short talk and a prayer
Classes
Classes by grade and by day
Each grade has its own teacher. Every classroom's size is listed with its grade.
| Ages | Class size | School day8:15 am to 3:10 pm5 days | Before care7:30 am to 8:15 am5 days | After care3:10 pm to 5:30 pm5 days | Summer weeks8:30 am to 3:00 pm5 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KindergartenAges 5 and 6Quiet time and a story after lunch. | 12 | Offered | Offered | Offered | Offered |
| Grades 1 and 2Ages 6 to 8 | 16 | Offered | Offered | Offered | Offered |
| Grades 3 and 4Ages 8 to 10 | 18 | Offered | Offered | Offered | Offered |
| Grades 5 and 6Ages 10 to 12Science bench on Thursday afternoons. | 18 | Offered | Offered | Offered | Offered |
| Grades 7 and 8Ages 12 to 14Bible class with the head of school. | 20 | Offered | Offered | OfferedStudy hall | Not offered |
Fees and what each is for
- Application
- Covers reading the application and meeting the family. Due when a family applies.
- Enrollment
- Holds a place after an offer is accepted.
- Books and supplies
- The texts and materials for the year, ordered by the school.
- Uniform
- A green or white polo and dark pants or a skirt, bought from any shop.
- Before and after care
- Billed by the month for the days a family uses.
- Summer weeks
- Billed by the week for the weeks a family chooses.
Chapel is on Wednesday mornings for every grade.
Sample programs.
Summer day weeks
Six weeks in June and July
The school opens its doors for summer day weeks. Each week has its own theme, and families choose the weeks that fit.
Summer
- Early June
Week 1: Garden week
Planting, watering and a harvest lunch.
Children plant a bed behind the school, learn the names of what grows and cook a simple lunch with it on Friday.
- Ages 5 to 12
- 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
- Mid June
Week 2: Art week
Clay, paint and a Friday show for families.
Mornings in the art room, afternoons on the lawn, and an open door on Friday for parents and grandparents.
- Ages 5 to 12
- 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
- Late June
Week 3: Build week
Wood, string and cardboard, and a bridge to test.
Children draw a plan, build it with a grown-up nearby and test it on Friday afternoon.
- Ages 5 to 12
- 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
- Early July
Week 4: Story week
Read-alouds, a short play and a puppet stage.
A book a day, read aloud on the porch, and a play the whole group puts on at the end of the week.
- Ages 5 to 12
- 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
- Mid July
Week 5: Field week
Relay races, kickball and a Friday picnic.
Mornings are games on the field, with shade and a water break between each. Afternoons are quieter.
- Ages 5 to 12
- 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Waitlist - Late July
Week 6: Music week
Songs, recorders and a Friday sing for families.
Children learn a handful of songs together and sing them in the chapel on Friday morning.
- Ages 5 to 12
- 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Sample sessions.
Hours and weeks can change; the office has the latest.
The year at a glance
When to visit, apply and hear from us
Families apply a year before the first day. Open houses begin in the fall and decisions go out in March.
This school year
Open houses
October and February
Walk the building, meet the teachers and sit in on a chapel.
- Tour
Visit days
Most Tuesdays, October to April
A morning in a classroom, then a talk with the head of school.
Book a visit Applications open
November
For the fall a year away.
- Deadline
Priority deadline
Mid-February
Applications in by now are read together.
Decisions
Early March
By letter and by phone.
- Deadline
Enrollment agreements
Late March
Signed to hold a place.
- Event
Summer day weeks
June and July
Six weeks, open to children outside the school too.
First day
Late August
Sample dates.
Faculty
The people at the door and at the desk
Eleven teachers and an office, in a school small enough that every family meets the head of school.
Albert Cottrell
Upper grades teacher
Albert teaches science and history to grades 5 through 8 and looks after the garden beds behind the school.
Alexia Walcott
Kindergarten and music teacher
Alexia teaches kindergarten and leads the singing in Wednesday chapel.
What families tell us
“We came for a visit on a Wednesday and stayed for chapel. Nobody made us feel like outsiders, and that settled it for us.”
Naomi H.Parent of a second grader
“The teachers know every family by name. When I ask a question at pickup, I get a real answer.”
Dale W.Parent of a fifth grader
“Summer weeks were the easiest decision of the year. The days were full and the teachers kept us posted.”
Rosa T.Parent of a first grader
Sample reviews.
Come and see the school
A visit day is a morning in a classroom and a talk with the head of school. Children are welcome to come along.
Phone(717) 555-0110
Office hours
- Monday to FridayToday
- 8:00 am to 4:00 pm