Bethany Lutheran School

My son attended Bethany from kindergarten through 8th grade. We loved the school and are very happy that we chose to send him there for his elementary and middle school education.
—Submitted by a parent

My son began Bethany Lutheran School in his 6th grade year. He is currently in the 7th grade and flourishing! The teachers and staff are full of love and respect at this school. The principal is the BEST. I really enjoy watching my son, who has always "hated" school never want to miss a day! It is such a warm and loving environment. I enjoy seeing my child smile when he talks about his day... I could have never imagined what a blessing Bethany has been to our family. I highly recommend Bethany. I wish I would have enrolled him in Kindergarten!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a former student of Bethany now in the Long Beach Poly P.A.C.E. program. Although P.A.C.E. is a brand new challenge I feel I was well prepared by Bethany. The great teachers and even greater principal made sure that everything we did prepared us for the future. Now in P.A.C.E. in whatever we do I'm say "Wow, Bethany gave me a sneak peak to this before so now I know that I was prepared and ready for any academic as well as moral choices." Which brings me to a concern you may have about it being 'Lutheran'. They don't stress one specific sort of christianity.What they stress is the bible and what the bible says, then let's you determine what you think it means. All-in-all Bethany, the teachers, and the overall essence of the school is just wondeful.

We are very happy with Bethany. We are not Lutheran and shopped schools when our child was going into kindergarten (too bad we didn't find them for preschool-it is excellent). When we meet the lead kdg teacher we knew our search was over, then met the principal and it sealed the deal. Now, four years later, we are happy, our child is happy and blossoming. It is a well rounded environment where everybody knows each other. The faculty are skilled and genuine. The sports, music, art, science, dance, chess options after school are wonderful as well as having a safe, friendly place to leave my kiddoe before or after school (extended day care 6:30 am-6pm) is a comfort. The optional hot lunch program could use some remodeling-but I hear that is in the works and it is only optional. It would be nice to have Spanish for all grade levels, but for now at least the older grades have Spanish built into their schedule and it has been an after school option for the younger kids in the past. Overall, our family loves Bethany and it has become a part of our family. Definitely worth checking out.
—Submitted by a parent

We didn't intend to continue Bethany past Preschool-K, but my daughter loves each grade & class more than the next. The teachers are very experienced and have a real passion for education. The new Spanish program for Middle School is a huge plus. They worked very hard to get that right & they did. The principal is a skilled leader & is always exploring new programs that will enrich their diverse student body in music, arts, tech & team building skills.
—Submitted by a parent

We have 2 graduates from Bethany so far. 1 is attending UCLA and the other UCSD Engineering School. Bethany did a great job of instilling a solid work ethic and foundation of study for our kids. The teachers work individually with every student to develop their strengths and prepare them for success in higher education. Well worth the investment in our children's future!
—Submitted by a parent

Bethany Lutheran pre school is top notch. The staff is very nurturing and experienced. They deeply care about each child. The leadership (Nola Seaman, Director) is strong and the facilities are very clean and nice. I knew my daughter was in great hands here, Looked at several pre schools and this one "just felt right." It lived up to my expectations and then some. Mrs Padias and Teacher Karen are angels--they make each child feel special, If you are seeking a Christ centered pre school with stability of staff--this is the place, We have moved to another school and will deeply miss Bethany!
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my children attended Bethany Lutheran School and went on to a top academic program in the local high school. I appreciated the strong academic, social and spiritual foundation Bethany provided for my children, who are experiencing great success in high school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a former student of Bethany and am not fully satisfied with the results i was given. After bethany i went to public school. The curricular at Bethany is not matched at all to that of public schools. In my opinion it is much too easy and should be looked over more carefully. I am also unsatisfied with the teachers. They definitely played favorites for all of the years that i attended(pre-8th). There are many more flaws to this school including cost of tuition.Its way over priced and in the end, isnt really worth the money at all.And prices have gone up since my class (class of 07) has graduated because of fall in population. All in all,i feel sorry for the school. but its not worth the money and i think people are starting to realize that. but thats just my opinion.. -dueces.

We have been at Bethany Lutheran School for 6 years and we couldn't be happier with the quality of education and the Christian upbringing our children are receiving. It is a very professional and well run school with a caring and qualified teaching staff.
—Submitted by a parent

close cohesive studentbody. well organized after school activities and great academic and moral training
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my girls have loved Bethany Lutheran Preschool! My oldest will be in the BLS Kindergarten this fall. These teachers love kids, communicate clearly with parents, and have gentle spirits.
—Submitted by a parent

My son will be starting his 3rd year in the preschool and they are great. All the teachers and staff are wonderfull.
—Submitted by a parent

Bethany Lutheran is the best place to send your child. I remember dropping my daughter off when she was 2 1/2 years old; I had more separation anxiety than she did. Just to watch the teachers and assistants nurture her made me cry even more. If I had to think of one thing to blame on the school, that would be caring too much and we all know that there is no such thing!
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a former student at Bethany. I am in 8th grade, class of 2009. Pro's: The teachers know every single student in his/her class. Great Principal The sports here are great. The school really cares about what your child recieves throughout their progress atttending the school. Before and After school No Uniforms, but there is a dress code Great school trips (Washington Dc Trip) Computer Lab offered Recess is also offered Children are well-behaved Christianity seriousness Weekly Progress reports Recycling program Clean Con's Acedemics are a little easy compared to other public schools. Testing is taken in October More Extra-Curricular Activities Not only is Extended Care expensive, but it seems as if the people working there don't really care for upper grade levels Tuition is a little expensive Excluding Algebra, Advanced class is not offered. Short lunch periods (20 minutes) Unhealthy food for school lunches (Frozen, Canned, and processed foods) Overall, I really enjoyed the school. Plus, This 8th grade year that Bethany had, everyone had earned a 'B' average or higher
—Submitted by a student

This is our sixth year at Bethany Lutheran School and we're not even Lutheran! It is worth the tuition to send our child to a Christian environment that offers a challenging academic program. The faculty is wonderful, led by a very talented principal.
—Submitted by a parent

Don't know why more people haven't reviewed the school recently, but here's ours. We enrolled our daughter last year in the preschool. So far, its great. We knew it was the school for us when we spoke with the Director. Teachers are great for the most part. Since it's a 'play-based' learning approach, its hard to tell where the kids are at compared to some of the other public pre-schools. Then again, in any pre-school, we want our kids to focus the foundation of sharing, developing social awareness, and other interpersonal dynamics. They'll have the rest of their lives to focus on the academics--although they are being taught the basics at Bethany too. its just not shoveled down their throats. That, coupled with the kids being introduced to a 'higher-level' of authority, was the icing on the cake to us. She's learned about morals and ethics echoed by the staff.
—Submitted by a parent

Bethany Lutheran Long Beach is the best school environment I have ever experienced. My child as well as the whole family flourishes yearly as we move through each year. The staff makes sure the children get the best education as well as nuture their spiritual and cultural awareness. I highly recommend to all.
—Submitted by a parent

This is an excellent pre-school. My daughter has learned so much. And the teachers are fabulous!
—Submitted by a parent

Very good communication system in the upper grades-we receive a progress report every week! Music program is awesome, sports program is improving!
—Submitted by a parent