Why did you make the switch to Ben Lippen School from public school? We always believed public school was where our children would forever be..until middle school! The daily fights, disrespect for teachers, lack of teachers for classrooms, etc. was unbearable. We finally had to realize that we as parents would not have ourselves in this environment, so why would we have our kids in it?
Was there anything specific about Ben Lippen that influenced your decision to enroll? We knew if we went to a private school, it had to be a Christian school. We were blown away by the hands and feet of Jesus walking the hallways, sports fields, ….not just in teachers, but staff, students, and coaches. A breathe of fresh air! It was obvious from the beginning that everything done at Ben Lippen is first covered in prayer. Our students’ world view has literally been opened. The impact the teachers/students who have been missionaries to other areas of the world, boarding students, winterims…..
What grade were your children in when you made the switch? Did their grade influence your decision at all? 7th…yes. Middle school years are very influential years. We knew we needed them in an environment that supported what we were instilling in our children.
What campus do your children attend and what makes that campus unique and special to your family? Monticello Road. I often find myself praying prayers of thanksgiving after dropping my kids off in the morning…..I literally feel the presence of God in that place!
Has Ben Lippen School lived up to your expectations? Was there anything that pleasantly surprised you? YES! Every day I see new surprises…be it a new friend/family I’ve met who otherwise I would never have known, a new country I’ve heard about because someone is going on mission there/returned, an email from a teacher praying for our children, prospective families who have toured and literally been brought to tears because they have never seen anything like BL, how our child was pulled from a shell and has blossomed socially, how I’ve gotten over “the drive!”, how the Lord has provided financially and does not have us bitter about paying for school…We never dreamed we would do this!, how the Lord has used Ben Lippen to grow my husband and me in our faith….I could go on and on….
How has Ben Lippen helped your children thrive? We have watched a child literally come out of a shell and thrive socially. Our children have been given a lot of freedoms they normally would not have because their friend choices give us confidence to allow these freedoms. Our kids get a lot more “yes” vs “no” because the requests they make are typically for things that are safe/harmless/pure.
What advice would you give families who are considering Ben Lippen School? Come and See! Have an open mind about the distance and finances. Realize what driving 10 extra minutes can provide for your children/family.
What do your children like best about Ben Lippen School? Their friends, sports, teachers, freedom…. They love coming from an environment in public school that literally had fights daily to a normal/encouraging environment. They also like the freedom they have at BL vs at public school where they had to be on “lock down” because of the choices some were making.