New Christian elementary aims to ‘bridge the gap’

North Kildonan

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This article was published 19/02/2025 (286 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Parents and caregivers in northeast Winnipeg and beyond will soon have another option when it comes to private education.

In September, the Mennonite Brethren Christian Elementary School will welcome its first students. The private Christian school will begin its operations at North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church (1315 Gateway Rd.). For the 2025-26 school year, it will offer kindergarten and Grade 1 and 2 classes, with plans for adding Grades 3, 4, and possibly even 5 each year as the first cohort of students advance and demand grows.

“Parents in both our church and other churches loved the idea of having an Mennonite Brethren elementary,” said Paul Boge, board chair of the new school.

With the church already offering nursery school through its Mennonite Brethren Children’s Centre Nursery School, and an option for students to attend Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute (173 Talbot Ave.) beginning in Grade 5 and continuing through Grade 12, Boge and other church leaders felt it was a natural fit to offer early years, Christ-centred education.

“We thought maybe we should find a way to bridge the gap,” he said. “The province has approved our site. We’ve gone through all the applications, though that is an ongoing process. Everything is on track. The province and city have been phenomenal to work with so far. They have been great to deal with.”

According to Boge, the plan is to start classes within the church’s ample space, while keeping the door open to a possible expansion.

“We have a big facility at Mennonite Brethren,” Boge said. “The idea is at some point in the future to expand out the back of our church. There’s greenspace there, and we have a beautiful gym. There are things that can happen during the day a church at all times. But by and large there are spaces that are empty during the day. It can be a safe, comfortable place for parents to send their kids.”

Applications are now open to the public for the start of the school year this fall. The process includes an online application followed by a review and interview before an admission decision is made by the board.

“They are open to everyone, you don’t have to be Mennonite or anything,” Boge said. “Long term, we hope to provide a facility out back of our church, for kids in the area and people who want to come in to receive a great education in a Christ-centred environment.”

For more information, visit mbce.ca