Administrative History

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 various congregations in the Fraser Valley belonging to the British Columbia 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.

When World War II ended in 1945, the Mennonite community looked for suitable land to build a new school building. A site in Abbotsford 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 Abbotsford. An elementary school was begun there in 1993 and in 1997 a new elementary school building was completed. In 2002, plans were in place to add a Middle school by the following year, and tentative plans for a large auditorium and new sports fields.

Financial support for the school comes 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 the community and from other Christian churches. International students also enrolled in the school. The curriculum has continually changed, a reflection on the changing values of the society 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.