MEI: Mennonite Educational Institute

Mennonite Educational Institute (MEI) provides a comprehensive and demonstrates Christian love, dignity and respect by teachers who are spiritually, academically and relationally qualified based on the centrality of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and the empowerment by the Holy Spirit as the basis for teaching and living.

Programs:
- Secondary
- Middle
- Elementary
- Preschool
- MEI Chilliwack
- International Program

The School’s Missions & Values

Core Values

Believes in the authority of the Bible, the centrality of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and the empowerment by the Holy Spirit as the basis for teaching and living. MEI demonstrates Christian love, dignity and respect in all that we do. We support and partner in the work of our supporting churches through effective communication, adherence to evangelical Anabaptist values, and through cooperative efforts in ministries such as missions, performing arts and inspirational speakers.

Provides a comprehensive co-educational program that encourages the intellectual, spiritual, emotional, social and physical growth of our students. Excellence in all areas of the curriculum, co-curriculum and extra-curricular programs are offered, according to the potential of each individual. Diverse learning opportunities through a wide range of academic, applied skills and career oriented instruction are provided, by teachers who are spiritually, academically and relationally qualified. Academic excellence that consistently sees the average student achievement above the provincial average on all assessments K-12, and encourages all students to achieve their potential through both accelerated and remedial learning assistance.

Celebrates in equipping students to function as productive citizens and servant leaders, contributing in significant ways to the local and global community.

Commits human and financial resources to the support of faculty and students through prayer, encouragement, fair remuneration and evaluation, significant professional development and learning opportunities. This includes a quality physical learning environment (facilities and resources) in keeping with our commitment to excellence in school programs. MEI commits itself to managing its affairs in a fiscally responsible manner, being good stewards of the resources entrusted to MEI and maintaining full accountability to our supporting churches.

MEI is passionate about the development of Christian character in our students through integrated Christian teaching and learning.

The Mennonite Educational Institute began in 1944. Its purpose was to preserve the faith as well as the German language of the Mennonite young people. The school was supported by Fraser Valley congregations from the British Columbia Provincial Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches and the Conference of Mennonites in British Columbia (now Mennonite Church British Columbia). It began in a wing of the building housing the Mennonite Brethren Bible School in Abbotsford under the leadership of Franz C. Thiessen. The curriculum in these early years reflected those initial goals of preserving faith and language. In time that changed to reflect the changing values of the supporting Mennonite constituency. Mennonites changed gradually from their predominant role as immigrant Russian Mennonite agriculturalists to urban Mennonite professionals and entrepreneurs. The emphasis on Christian values to be reflected in the curriculum remained.

When World War II ended in 1945, the Mennonite community looked for suitable land to build a new school building. A site in Clearbrook was located and this was continually expanded in subsequent years. By the late 1970s this site had also become inadequate and in 1980 the school moved to a new site, also in Clearbrook. An elementary school was begun there in 1993 and in 1997 a new elementary school building was completed. In 2001 plans were in place to add a Middle school.

Financial support for the school came from tuition fees and from the supporting congregations. In 1978 the school began receiving provincial government financial support. This support has continued and eased the burden on the supporting congregations.

The students in the first decades came entirely from the Mennonite constituency. By the 1970s the composition had changed considerably with many students coming from other Christian churches. International students also enrolled in the school. Besides the changing curriculum, which reflected changing values as well as requirements of the provincial government, students have become very involved in community service, sporting activities, and music. In spite of these changes, the faith component has remained. The original goals remain and continue to challenge each new generation.

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*Sources:

Mennonite Educational Institute, Abbotsford

Global Anabaptist Encyclopedia Online