On the occasion of Founder’s Day, we thought it would be fitting to highlight Bethany’s milestones and noteworthy achievements since its inception in 1963. We would not be where we are as an institution today, if not for the sacrifice and commitment of our highly regarded founder, Mrs. Mignon David. Bethany is proud to be one of the leading ICSE, all-round development schools in Bangalore but this success is the result of years of hard work behind the scenes. While we continue to celebrate our victories, Founder’s Day offers us the opportunity to stay grounded in our humble beginnings. Watch the video of Founder’s Day 2021 here: https://youtu.be/w-pFIFdUENM

1949

It was in 1949 that the founder-Mrs. Mignon David- lost both her sons-Darrel and Leonard- aged 8 & 9 years, in a tragic drowning accident, while in an attempt to save their pet dog.

Ever since that day, the outcome of grief caused by this tragic loss, was channeled into a dream, to replace their absence by a living and lasting monument. Click here to know more about Bethany’s history: https://bethanyinstitutions.edu.in/about-us/history/

1960

Her dream lay dormant for nearly eleven years, after which ‘Bethany Hostel, was started in 1960-a home away from home, for the surplus girls and boys from ‘Baldwins’ and ‘Cottons’.

1963

She founded Bethany Home School, as it was then called with the moral and financial help of her husband Mr. J. David and a very dear friend, the late Mr. Satur (ex-principle, St John’s High school). It was started with one classroom, one pupil and three teachers in an obscure room on Curly Street, Richmond Town. It was the beginning of a long journey with our Heavenly Father answering all prayers.

1966

In June’66 the school was shifted to a rented two storied house on Serpentine Street, there were new classes from nursery to 6^th standard. The strength of the school had by now grown to 105 boys and girls. Three months later on the same road a portion of a building was obtained and rented. It was called ‘Annexe 1’

1972

This was a landmark year in our history as ‘Bethany Home School’ was recognized by the government of Karnataka and the name was changed to Bethany High School. From several rented buildings ‘Bethany High School’ moved into a single organized unit in Langford town.

1975

Another feather in the Bethany cap… affiliation to the Indian school council, New Delhi.

1976

A sad moment in our history. The curtain falls… on 15^th April 1976, our heavenly Father looked down upon his child, and felt her task on earth was completed. He took our founder away from us, to his heavenly abode. However, fortunately by now, she had given sufficient momentum for the school to carry on and the beacon of her wonderful life, still throws its beam, far and wide, constantly reminding us, of the awareness she always possessed for humanity, and its crying needs around, and the simple fact, that we pass this way but once, and we must do whatever we can for our fellowmen. Our first ICSE batch graduated from ‘Bethany High School’ in this year.

1978

After all these years in rented premises this was the year when we managed to secure land in Koramangala. The Bangalore Development authority, granted it on 6^th of November on long lease.

1981

The construction of the building got underway in February. The school had no funds for this purpose but his help has always been with us. The ECLOF (India) (Ecumenical Church Loan Fund of India) came forward with a loan of Rs 8 lakhs, which helped us to build the ground/first floor, library & science laboratory. We are happy to state that we repaid the loan well in time.

1983

Bethany extended its hands to children with special needs on the 2^nd of November the Bethany Special School for handicapped children with mental and physical disabilities was started.

1986

While all the excitement had been happening at the new premises, the school had been quietly functioning and growing at Langford town. In this watershed year in our history, we moved to the new premises in Koramangala in June. With the new building, the school acquired greater recognition and dignity.

1987

Dr. S.L. Kashiram ex-Principal of Baldwin Girls School with over 40 years of experience took over the reins of Bethany as principal. This further helped set higher standards for the school and enhanced our growing reputation.

1991

This year saw us reach upwards and extend our school to a junior college. We started our 11^th and 12^th Standard classes, approved by the ISC board.

1998

Mr. Akash Ryall returned from the United States with a Master’s in Education Administration and a heart filled with zest and took over as Principle. He brought new enthusiasm into the whole school.

The Special School grew to 45 Children and was under the able guidance of DR. S.L. Kashiram.

As a start to Mr. Ryall’s modernization plans for the school, a new computer lab was inaugurated on 14^th June 1998, by the Principal of Clarence High School, Mr. Benny Joseph.

2004

Bethany introduced Drama and fine Arts as ICSE subjects, allowing artistically oriented students to drop Science and Math’s and concentrate on their strengths.

2005

The Junior college got its own campus, just diagonally opposite the old campus. The new campus allowed the senior most members of the Bethany pupils their privacy while still feeling at home in the old campus. Bethany also introduced a learning lab which provides remedial help for students with learning difficulties.

2006

A major milestone in Bethany’s journey was the completion of the much awaited and beautiful Pre-Primary Block which expanded the Bethany Family by 30 class rooms to include Nursery, Junior 1 and Standard 1 and which hosts about 400 boys and girls.

2008

The upgradation and modernization of the Chemistry Lab was completed.

2009

The Auditorium and the Library were upgraded and modernized to match the contemporary foyer and Chemistry Lab. The acoustics of the auditorium were improved. Bethany also launched the Bethany Professional Child Care allowing children to experience the wonder of Bethany at the early age of 2 years 6 months.

2010

A new junior school was started to act as a feeder to a new branch that would come up in the near future. Bethany also introduced the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) secondary level exams available to all.

2011

Mr. Akash Ryall took over the position as the Director of Bethany Institutions and Mr. Robert Khin was appointed Principle in June 2010. Another new junior school was started in HSR Layout which would also serve as a feeder to the new branch that would come up in the near future.

2013

Bethany completes 50 years and celebrates its Golden Jubilee. A new facility was added as Bethany High, Sarjapur was inaugurated in June. It started with 80 students. Mrs. Aruna Rao was the first Headmistress of the School.

The 6^th Musical ‘Shrek’ was staged to mark the finale of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

The school stands tall with a strength of 3250 plus students and around 420 employees. With excellent results in the ICSE and ISC exams, students are participating and winning laurels in co-curricular inter-school activities, Bethany is surely a beacon showing the way to many, many young lives. The Bethany Family is growing fast!

“For all we have decided, we thank god. May all we hope to achieve, glorify him”.

2014

The year 2014 was another exciting and memorable one. Excellent result in our Board Exams – ICSE & ISC with a 100% first classes.

Our students won laurels in many inter- school competition – in particular our school relay teams of boys and girls winning most of the inter school relay races.

Our Carnival with the Hawaiian theme ‘Hiwa Hiwa Hawaii’ was a hit again and the event helped raise funds for our special school, the Bethany Family & Helpers Fund.

2015

The ISC and the ICSE batch 2014-15 once again made Bethany proud with their excellent performance in the board examinations.

This year, our students enthralled packed audiences at Chowdiah Memorial Hall with their performance in our 7^th musical ‘Pippin’.

2016

In the ‘Year of Rightful Choices’ the school management chose launch a brand-new program which is aptly called the LEAP- Learning Enrichment Achievement Programme. This is a noteworthy milestone that accommodated children with different learning abilities, earlier on in their education. It was launched on 9^th January, 2016.

Mission: To provide an equal opportunity to learn based on the children’s strengths. Equal opportunity is not giving everyone the same thing but giving children what need, to be able to learn.

The Bethany Carnival was held in Bethany School Sarjapur for the first time.  It was a grand success.

2017

The Board of Management of the Bethany Institutions is happy to announce the Inauguration and Dedication of the new facilities added to enhance the infrastructure of the schools.

• NEW ADMIN BLOCK & ADDITONAL CLASSROMS, MAIN SCHOOL- KORAMANGALA.
• LEAP LAB MAIN SCHOOL, KORAMANGALA.
• BETHANY JUNIOR COLLEGE, KORAMANGALA.
• REMODELED CPMPUTER DEPARTMENT & AMENITIES ON 3^RD FLOOR, MAIN SCHOOL, KORAMANGALA.
• NEW PRO’S OFFICE, MAIN SCHOOL, KORAMANGALA.
• NEW NIOS DEPARTMENT, II FLOOR MAIN SCHOOL KORAMANGALA.
• NEW PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, BIOLOGY LABS & MUSIC ROOM, BETHANY HIGH, SARJAPUR.
• NEW CAFETERIA, BETHANY HIGH, SARJAPUR.
• MULTIPURPOSE AUDITORIUM, BETHANY HIGH, SARJAPUR.

‘Madagascar’ the musical was held at St. John’s Auditorium. It showcased the participation of 125 students of Bethany.

2019-20

New Facilities at Bethany High, Koramangala

Table Tennis      

A new table tennis arena was established above the sports and its inauguration became national news as it hosted the ICSE state level TT Tournament. 23 schools participated and all lauded both the facility and the impeccable organization of the tournament.

Mini Auditorium

A new mini auditorium was opened on the second floor above the sports gallery. Besides being the venue for theatre studies, Assembly practices, and small meetings. It also doubles as an exam center.

Pioneering Graduates

• The first batch of LEAP students graduated in January 2020. (LEAP – Learning Enrichment Achievement Program is unique to Bethany High.)
• Bethany high, Sarjapur, celebrated its first ever ICSE batch of 10^th graders, 22 students in all.

Musical Theatre

Bethany High staged the Tony & Grammy Award winning musical ‘In The Heights’ with a cast of 157 students. The production broke new ground as the first ever Lin-Manuel Miranda Musical in India, and the first ever Bethany Musical to have a live – band of 8 members from the Alumni & Music Teachers, use the Spanish language and the hip-hop/rap genre, have an additional Wednesday evening show and multi-level stage-set which housed the choir & live band, and added to the spectacle!

Never Say Never

During the virus – threat lockdown period, Bethany High was one of the pioneering schools to use internet-based conference platforms to conduct online classes for the 9^th, 10th& 12^th Grade students.

God’s Favour

We praise and thank God for all our accomplishments. Despite multiple changes in exam schedules and other challenges that cropped up, 2019 – 20 was another grand year for Bethany, as we were blessed with God’s unending favor.