From the first day of preschool until graduation, each Dock Mennonite Academy student is nurtured by a community that serves as an extension of family. Teachers are caring and supportive. Parents are thoughtful and involved. Peers inspire and encourage. Dock is a private Christian school where you will find a true community of learners.
Dock Mennonite Academy Superintendent Dr. Conrad Swartzentruber has written a letter to Dock students and their families, the first of a series of communications the school expects to share over the course of the summer. The June 26, 2020 Superintendent's Letter includes more detail on Dock's plans for the coming 2020-21 school year.
Read the full text of the letter here
Dock Mennonite Academy has announced significant enhancements to its STEM curriculum (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) that will provide students with the skills and knowledge to help them succeed in our increasingly digital society, economy, and culture. These enhancements, which essentially double the STEM curriculum at each campus, will prepare students for emerging career opportunities in STEM-related fields.
Key components of the expanded STEM curriculum include new Computer Science courses in coding, computer systems and networks, database systems, programming languages, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and software engineering, well as the development of a STEM lab at the Grades 9-12 Campus to provide increased hands-on learning in robots, circuits, and 3D printing. Significant enhancements are also taking place at the EC-Grade 8 Campus, particularly in the Middle School STEM curriculum.
You can read all the details about these exciting new curriculum developments in the attached article.
Dock Mennonite Academy will add Girls Lacrosse to its athletic program, beginning play in Spring 2021.
"We have been considering the possibility of adding girls lacrosse for five years now," said Dock Athletic Director Tim Ehst. "The sport is growing in popularity nationwide, and in our community. In fact, over the past couple of decades, lacrosse has been the fastest-growing high school sport in the nation."
Increasing numbers of prospective student-athletes, as well as current students already playing other sports, have asked for an opportunity to play girls lacrosse at Dock, Ehst added. Earlier this year, a group of Dock parents put together a formal request to add the sport. That request included a student survey showing 24 returning Dock student-athletes interested in playing girls lacrosse for the Pioneers next year.
After considering this formal request at the administrative level, the Athletic Department made a proposal to Dock's Board of Trustees, who then approved a Dock girls lacrosse team starting in the 2020-21 school year. The team will play during the spring sport season, participating in the Bicentennial Athletic League.
With this addition, Dock now offers 12 varsity sports, including Golf (co-ed), Field Hockey, Volleyball (boys and girls), Cross Country (boys and girls), Soccer (boys and girls), Tennis (boys and girls), Bowling (boys and girls), Basketball (boys and girls), Baseball, Softball, Track and Field (boys and girls), and Lacrosse. Dock also offers Soccer (co-ed), Basketball (boys and girls), Baseball, Softball, Field Hockey, and Track and Field (co-ed) at the Middle School level.
Photo: Sophomore Mackenzie Derstine ('23) is one of the Dock student-athletes looking forward to playing lacrosse for the Pioneers.
For additional information:
Tim Ehst, Athletic Director
215.362.2675, ext. 401
Doug Hackman, Director of Admissions
215.362.2675, ext. 106
Dock Mennonite Academy Superintendent Dr. Conrad Swartzentruber has written a letter to Dock students and their families, the first of a series of communications the school expects to share over the course of the summer. The June 8, 2020 Superintendent's Letter includes reflections on the 2019-20 school year, Dock's response to the recent tensions around race and racism, and a word about our plans for the coming 2020-21 school year.
The last days of school leading up to important transitions—graduation from high school, and to high school from middle school—are always busy, with many important end-of-year activities. Dock has created web pages for both of its campuses where you can track these activities. Links to online events and other relevant information will be posted on these pages, which will be updated regularly—so check back frequently!
You can also view photos of seniors and their "Class of 2020" yard signs here!
Grades 9-12 end-of-year events page (includes photos of seniors with their yard signs!)
EC-Grade 8 end-of-year events page
Dock's annual Senior Recital is an opportunity to celebrate the arts—specifically the musical and artistic abilities of our graduating seniors. This year's recital was held on Tuesday, May 26. The archive recording is available here and on Dock's YouTube channel.
The schedule for this year's Senior Presentations has now been posted. These "senior speeches" will be delivered on two channels (see below). Presentations will be recorded and archived, with links to each student's speech available on this same schedule document.
To view your student's presentation, find their name on the attached schedule. At their designated day and time, click on the link of the corresponding channel at the top of the column ("Live Channel 1" or "Live Channel 2.") When the recording of your student's presentation has been archived, the student's name will appear as a link on this schedule document. Most recordings will be archived within 24 hours.
Senior Presentations are 20-minute public presentations in which seniors reflect on the academic, social and spiritual growth they have experienced during their years at Dock. Developed as part of the Communications class curriculum, the presentations offer a window into the classes, co-curricular events, teachers and experiences that have helped shape each student. Senior Presentations are typically given on campus, but have moved online for the 2019-20 school year.
For the 2019-20 exam administration only, students can take an online 45-minute free-response exam at home. You will be able to take this exam on any available device - computer, tablet, or smartphone. Exams will be administered by College Board from Monday, May 11 through Friday, May 22. Find your exam day and time at https://apcoronavirusupdates.collegeboard.org/educators/taking-the-exams/ap-exam-schedule. Some courses will use portfolio submissions in place of an online exam. Students taking world language and culture exams will complete two spoken tasks. Mr. Kabakjian is available to discuss your specific situation.
To keep students safe, and in alignment with public health guidance and school closures, the SAT and SAT Subject Tests will not be administered on June 6, 2020. If it's safe from a public health standpoint, College Board will provide weekend SAT administrations every month through the end of the calendar year, beginning in August. This includes a new administration in September, and the previously scheduled tests on August 29, October, 3, November 7, and December 5. Students can register for these tests starting in May. Eligible students can register with a fee waiver. For each exam date, there are plans to significantly expand their capacity for students to take the SAT once schools reopen. Students already registered for June can get early access to register for August, September, and October.
Mr. Kabakjian will be surveying all seniors in May to gather post-graduation plans. Look for a Schoology message with a link to a Google Form and respond promptly, as this information is important to us!
A virtual senior recital is being planned! If you have a musical selection that you would like to share with our Dock community, please create a video, paying special attention to camera angle, lighting, and background noise. Email your video to senior advisor, Mr. Dana Gehman, by Wednesday, May 13, along with your name as it should appear in the program and the title and composer of our selection. You may submit either a vocal or instrumental selection. Your piece should not exceed 7 minutes. The recital will be electronically compiled and made available to the wider Dock community.
As we have done in the past, we will honor students at graduation with three categories:
Cum laude—Cumulative GPA of 3.70 – 3.84
Magna cum laude—Cumulative GPA of 3.85 - 3.99
Summa cum laude—Cumulative GPA of 4.00 and above
We anticipate 2020-2021 schedules will be ready to mail to students later this month. It is important that each student and parent look over the academic schedule for next year. Review your schedule using the Curriculum Guide for the 2020-2021 school year. The guidance counselors are available to review schedules with students. This is particularly important for next year's juniors and seniors. Schedules should be completed before the beginning of the new school year. All schedules need to be finalized for the year by the end of the 1st week of school. Any exceptions will require teacher, parent, and guidance counselor approval.
Any student who would like to be involved in the Career/Work Study Program next year must have their application submitted to Mrs. Leaman by June 1.
It's not too late to apply for the following scholarships! For more information and applications, go to the Scholarship page on the Guidance website.
Summer vacation is a great time for next year's juniors and seniors to begin visiting colleges. It's best to visit colleges when they are in session, however, the summer time would allow you the opportunity to do some initial investigating. Due to Covid-19, on-campus visits may not be possible or practical. Many colleges offer virtual visits on their websites, such as Verto's Open House on Friday, May 15. You may also be able to find a virtual college fair. Strive Virtual College Exploration is happening from April 20 through May 21, offering virtual presentations for juniors to explore college opportunities. Hopefully, a second visit can happen in the fall if you are attracted to the college. Rising juniors, it is time to gather and review colleges of interest and upcoming seniors, you should have four to six colleges selected to send applications to in the fall.
Juniors, have you started to plan for your Senior Experience? It is not too early to begin the process of making connections for your experience. If you plan to job shadow or go on a service trip, working ahead will benefit you and your selected host.
Parents, it is important that you inform the school of any changes that affect your child's emergency information. Your contact information and current student health-related issues need to be continually updated. Please email Mrs. Swartley, Guidance Office Assistant, at jlswartley@dock.org with changes.
Looking for things to do this summer? Check out the Summer Opportunities page on the Guidance website for ideas! Enrichment activities look impressive on the college resume. Contact your Guidance Counselor if you have questions.
The Dock Athletic Department announces the hiring of Mr. Kirby King as the school's head boys volleyball coach. Coach King started the school's boys volleyball program in 1996, and during his initial 11-year coaching tenure our teams won six league titles and two district championships. At that time, Dock competed at the larger school AAA level for both district and state playoffs, which made Dock's success somewhat unusual. Dock won back-to-back district titles in 2003 and 2004, and was in the state AAA rankings in the early years of that decade.
King has been Dock's boys volleyball assistant coach for the past four years, which helps in making the transition more seamless. "Coach King brings a great knowledge of what it takes to win and be successful at the high school level," said Dock Athletic Director Tim Ehst. "His knowledge of and ability to teach fundamentals and game strategies, and his calm but direct communication style, are helpful in developing players and building team success."
Dock Mennonite Academy has received the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association's 2019-20 Sportsmanship Award. It is the 10th time in the 22-year history of the award that Dock has received the highest rating among all schools in the Bicentennial Athletic League Presidents Division.
Dock also received the 2019-20 Greg Pinelli Memorial Sportsmanship Award for both its male and female athletic programs. The awards honor not only sportsmanship by student-athletes and coaches on the field or court, but also athletic department hospitality and the sportsmanship of spectators.
"I want to first and foremost thank our coaches for their efforts in this area. They are most instrumental in getting our sportsmanship expectations off the ground, which are standards important to game environment and life beyond athletics," said Dock Athletic Director Mr. Tim Ehst. "Our student-athletes consistently do a great job of bringing positive energy to their games, as well as respect for opponents and officials. It has also been great having enthusiastic fan support from both parents and our energized student section."
Ehst also singled out game supervisors, along with coaches and the Dock campus community for doing their part in welcoming opposing teams and spectators to our campus in a courteous and respectful manner.
"Equally important is the daily work our administration and faculty do to cultivate respect, both on campus and in the classroom," Ehst said. "Our school culture, driven by our Christian faith, has had a positive impact on our sportsmanship in athletics, and has played a part in being honored with these awards."
Dock Mennonite Academy offers a dynamic and diverse learning community.
Dock is a private Christian school whose balanced integration of faith and learning teaches students from Early Childhood to Grade 12
to be confident thinkers who lead lives of purpose. Our mission is to offer an affordable Christian school education that inspires and equips every student
to serve with a global perspective by integrating faith, academics, and life-enriching experiences in a Christ-centered environment.
Our private Christian school has a purpose beyond academics. On the field, court and stage—these are the places where memories are made. Dock is a Christian academy where the arts, athletics, and other co-curricular opportunities are an essential component of the learning experience.
Play here. Excel here. Win here.
Follow your passion here.
We celebrate creativity here!
Learn technology here.
Find your beat here.
of students receive financial aid or discounts
Percentage of graduates who attend college
Percentage of Faculty with Advanced Degrees
Faculty to Student Ratio
countries represented
churches represented
Percentage of students who participate in a co-curricular activity
Percentage of students annually who take and pass at least one AP Exam
Percentage of students participating in one or more sports
Number of league championships claimed by Dock teams
We love our school! It has a Mennonite heart with solid, serious academics, beautiful families and children, and a superb high school.
Jenny Fujita, with daughters Pi'ikea (6th grade, right) and La'akea (10th grade)
My experience at Dock has been amazing. The opportunities provided here are great for helping you figure out what interests you most! I have participated in a wide range of activities—from ceramics to sports to student government. I am truly grateful for the ways Dock has allowed me to express who I am and discover my unique qualities.
Lindsey Bernd '18
When my daughter graduated from Dock she was totally prepared for college. The level of academics gave her a sense of achieving her goals, and her self-esteem soared. Homework was heavy, but if your child plans to go to college, he/she will be totally prepared. I found the teachers to be attentive to the students, and available to parents, even on short notice. We lived quite a distance from Dock, but with the level of academics and teacher-parent involvement, it was worth the commute and tuition.parent review on greatschools.org
We have two children at Dock's EC-Grade 8 campus. We have been very happy with our experience. The teachers are great! They care about the students, and the students can feel it; I believe this helps them succeed. Every child has a gift, and Dock allows that gift to grow; children are encouraged to find and nurture their gift. We feel blessed that our children can attend Dock Mennonite Academy.The O'Rourke's, EC-Grade 8 parents
I fell in love before I even stepped out of the car. I saw the wide open campus and thought it would be amazing to walk outside from class to class. The style of teaching is so different; hands-on and interactive, so students actually pay attention to what is being taught. I realized I could play soccer and create the art I was always interested in, and be completely devoted to both. I was sold—I made my decision to join the Dock Class of 2017.Mia Bevilacqua '17
“"Teachers expressed genuine concern for each of our children through words and actions. They recognized the individual qualities, traits, and strengths of each child and focused on their spiritual, academic, social, and athletic qualities."
”Jim and Suzanne Gunden, parents of Michael ('16), Erica ('18), and Gabriel ('22)
"We give thanks to God for the friends, faculty, and experiences that have shaped each of our children. It is so rewarding to see what God has created in them. From establishing a Christian foundation in grade school, to encouraging and creating service opportunities, to living out their faith in high school, Dock has partnered with us as our children have matured over the past 16 years."
Howard and Bonnie Anderson, parents of Lauren ('14), Haley ('16), Brian ('18) and Jonathan ('20)
“"One of the best decisions we’ve ever made was to send our girls to Dock. You provide kids with a holistic and individualized education and you help them to recognize their abilities and their limitless potential. Emma is a different person today than she was walking into that school in September. We are so grateful to all of her teachers. Each one made an impact on her—that’s not an exaggeration."
”Tim and Erica Celenza, parents of Emma ('22, bottom right) singing during the 8th Grade Celebration on June 7, 2018
"Olivia is thriving at Dock. She knew she was home the first time she toured the campus. We appreciate the fact that it’s OK for our girls to speak about their faith, to ask questions about what they believe in. Our girls are growing spiritually and building a stronger relationship with God, and they see that we all have a role to play in changing our world. The teachers at Dock are sincerely interested in and care about our girls. What you all do is very important—it goes beyond textbooks. Olivia and Emma are happy."
Tim and Erica Celenza, parents of Olivia ('20, far left), performing in Dock's 2017 fall musical, Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Our Early Childhood to Grade 12 Christian school inspires a life-long love of learning from an early age. We value your child's natural need for exploration and inquiry, and we believe that school should inspire students—and parents. Dock Mennonite Academy offers an affordable Christian school where each student is recognized for their individual and unique abilities. Our faculty create a challenging but supportive environment that makes students want to learn, but also provide a meaningful faith context for learning. That's what learning for lives of purpose is all about.
Investment in a Dock education begins yielding a return almost immediately, as graduates place a high value on their high school experience and discover they are exceptionally well-prepared for college. Yet the dividends continue to grow for a lifetime.
