Our History
The Mary Francis Bachmann School and the St. John Neumann School for Children and Families (Columbia, PA), form the Franciscan School System, a unique educational system of independent schools operated by CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health.
The Francsican School System provides developmentally appropriate care and learning to children and their families in the Lancaster Community from 6 weeks of age through high school graduation.
St. John Neumann School for Children and Families
CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health opened the St. John Neumann School for Children and Families in the spring of 2021. The school provides care and learning for 84 children from 6 weeks of age through Kindergarten and their families.
The St. John Neumann School for Children and Families operates year-round and provides care, learning and support to children enrolled from 6:30AM until 6:00PM every weekday.
Learning activities and instruction are offered in each class from 8AM to 3PM each day for students of all ages. The program’s capstone is our mixed-age kindergarten classes which include a combination of students ranging in age from 3 years old until they transition to first grade.
There are no additional charges for students to participate in before or after school care at the School or special activities hosted by the School. In addition, our tuition includes participation in our food service program which provides all students two snacks, breakfast and lunch each day. Meals and snacks prepared in our on-site kitchen by our food service and nutrition team.
Mary Francis Bachmann School
CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health welcomes first through twelfth grade students and families to continue their learning experience and development as a part of the Mary Francis Bachmann School. In addition to continuing the experiential learning and engagement for Kindergarten students attending the St. John Neumann School for Children and Families, children and families from throughout the community are welcome to join our learning community and experience our family-focused approach to education.
The Mary Francis Bachmann School will launch a temporary hybrid learning program in the fall of 2023 before transitioning to its permanent home – the former Dominican Monastery located on Lititz Pike just outside of Lancaster City in Manheim Township. The hybrid learning program will incorporate weekly in-class sessions and classes at Heritage Creek Farm Camp.
Our 5 acre campus includes traditional classrooms for daily learning and engagement in addition to specialized spaces dedicated to the arts and music, movement and exploration, as well as science and discovery.
Tuition at the Mary Francis Bachmann School includes:
- Full access in our food service program, offering students breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the day. All meals and snacks are prepared on-site by our food service and nutrition team and include locally sourced ingredients cultivated by our partners in the community. Some of these local ingredients are planted and/or harvested by Mary Francis Bachmann Students as a part of our curriculum.
- All field trips and special activities hosted by the Mary Francis Bachmann School
- Music Lessons and Instrument Rentals based upon your child’s learning interests and selections throughout their learning and growth experience at the Mary Francis Bachmann School.
CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health
Founded by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia in 1883 as St. Joseph Hospital, CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health carries forward the legacy of the Sisters and the Hospital in the Lancaster Community with programs and services dedicated to improving the health of children and families. Today, as a location of CommonSpirit Health, CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health offers families throughout the region access to quality innovative and family-focused approaches to both behavioral health and education.
Expanding upon the organization’s work in early childhood learning and experience at the St. John Neumann School for Children and Families, CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health announced the creation of the Franciscan School System in the fall of 2021 which was highlighted by the agreement to purchase the former Dominican Monastery Site on Lititz Pike. The Monastery will serve as the home of the Mary Francis Bachmann School.
The Franciscan School System – true to our roots as a ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia – incorporates our core beliefs with an open and affirming, experiential and family-focused educational philosophy that will educate and inspire children and their families from 6 weeks of age through high school graduation.
NOW ENROLLING