It's a competitive world out there. It's a world that both demands and produces alternatives and choices.

Lititz Christian School (LCS) has carved out its own place in the education system through attention to detail, a holistic approach and community service.

"It's tough to stand out," said Ross McCracken, who's been LCS' advancement coordinator for a year. "We want to work with Warwick, Linden Hall and LAMS (Lititz Area Mennonite School) to give every single person in the Lititz community everything they possibly need. It's just about giving great options for everyone. We don't see ourselves as an option; we want to see ourselves as the option. We want to serve our community. We want to make our kids aware that there's a whole big world out there."

Located at 300 W. Orange St., Lititz, LCS is a faith-based educational institution for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. LCS also operates an early learning center for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and prekindergarten students at Hosanna! A Fellowship of Christians, 29 Green Acre Road, Lititz.

"Our purpose is to meet families and students where they are," said McCracken. "Being a small school, we have flexibility with how we educate students. We cover everything - their social needs, their spiritual needs, their academic needs. We're looking at the whole student and the family. We partner with families."

There are 227 students, mainly from Lititz, Ephrata, Manheim, Manheim Township, the city of Lancaster and south Lebanon County, enrolled at LCS for the 2024-25 school year, an increase of 53 students over last year. LCS' early learning center consists of 107 younger students.

"We moved to our new location across from Warwick three years ago, and I think people see us now," said McCracken. "I think we run a great program. I think word of mouth is our best advertising. And I think people are happy. We focus on retention, and if people are happy, our retention rate is going to grow. Our retention rate is 92%."

In addition to a rigorous curriculum, LCS offers extracurricular activities like interscholastic sports; student government; programs in the arts, music and theater; National Honor Society; boys' and girls' Bible study groups; and other clubs. Part of the graduation requirements for LCS students is the completion of 80 hours of community service.

"We want to instill in our kids the mindset that the world is bigger than them and that people need people," said McCracken. "You feel good when you serve; you feel fulfilled. It's important for us to be more than takers and to be passionate. When you walk through these doors, you'll be loved, you'll be cared for, you'll be challenged and you'll be empowered."

LCS, which was founded in 1978, employs a total of 75 individuals at its school and early learning center and maintains a 14-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Nearly 95% of LCS students receive some type of financial aid for tuition.

"What we have is a staff and faculty who are here for the same mission," said McCracken. "They're going to get to know the families. It's a staff that's fully bought in, and they're here because they want to be here. Our teachers get to know the students, and that helps us carry out the mission."

For additional information about Lititz Christian School, go to http://www.lititzchristian.net.