News

Ava Parker, a rising junior, and Sara Bochert, Class of 2025, proudly represented Bethlehem High School at the National Beta Club Convention in Orlando, Florida—marking the first time in our school’s history that we’ve had students compete at the national level! After qualifying at the state convention, they participated in three highly competitive leadership showcases: Service Project Proposal, where they presented the success of their community project to a panel of judges; Lead Outside the Box, where they designed a $7,500 grant proposal to support freshman success and wellness; and Collaboration Connection, which tested their problem-solving and teamwork skills in a timed challenge. While they didn’t place in these events, they stood out among 120+ schools and proudly brought home 3rd place in a massive scavenger hunt with over 80 teams! Beyond the competition, Ava and Sara attended a college and career fair, met Beta students from across the country, listened to inspiring keynote speakers, and even enjoyed some fun at the resort and an afternoon at Disney. We are so proud of their leadership, dedication, and the way they represented Bethlehem on the national stage!

Please join us in welcoming Mr. Joe Payette as Bethlehem High School’s new Science teacher. Mr. Payette was born in New Jersey and has called the Highlands neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky home for the past 45 years. He comes from a close-knit family, and his father, an entrepreneur, helped instill in him a strong work ethic and a spirit of curiosity that continues to guide him today.

After graduating from Atherton High School, he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Louisville. Mr. Payette spent several decades working in the HVAC, food, and pharmaceutical industries, where he applied his engineering background to solve complex challenges and improve systems.

Around 2010, he transitioned into the field of education. Since then, he's enjoyed teaching off and on while also working as a consultant. While his foundation is in physics through his engineering training, he is a self-taught student of the other sciences as well as high school pedagogy, driven by a passion for learning and a deep respect for education.

Outside of work, he enjoy's playing disc golf and poker. He also holds a pilot’s license, though he no longer keeps it current. These days, he is consulting with homeowners and building owners on solar panel installations, helping them move toward more sustainable energy solutions.
Welcome to the Bethlehem Family!

Congratulations to Blair O’Bryan and her travel volleyball team for placing 5th in the nation at the Junior National Tournament held in Orlando, Florida! This incredible achievement is a testament to Blair’s hard work, talent, and dedication to the sport. We are so proud of her and all she has accomplished on such a big stage. Way to go, Blair!

We are so excited to have expanded our Work Study Program this summer to include 20 students who are using this opportunity to help offset the cost of tuition for their families.
Students earn $13/hour, and every dollar earned is applied directly to their tuition.
This summer, our Work Study students have been busy assembling new double lockers, painting classrooms and hallways, and assisting with landscaping across our main campus and athletic complex.
This program is not only a great way to support families financially, but also an incredible opportunity to teach our students the value of hard work and responsibility.
A big thank you to Mr. Livers, our Director of Maintenance, for his leadership and daily management of these students and their projects. We are grateful for his dedication and for our students’ hard work all summer long!

Bethlehem High School is thrilled to share our enrollment statistics for the 2025–2026 school year! We are currently at full capacity—an exciting milestone that reflects the continued growth and strength of our Bethlehem Family. It has been inspiring to witness the upward trend in total enrollment over the years, especially the remarkable increase in recent years. While we celebrate this growth, we remain committed to maintaining small class sizes to ensure an excellent student-to-teacher ratio and to provide the personalized education our families value. We also remain mindful of our physical space limitations as we continue to grow. We are so proud to see our small but mighty school thriving and are deeply grateful for the families who continue to make Bethlehem their home.

Please join us in welcoming Kayla Drake as Bethlehem High School’s new Bookkeeper. A Bardstown native and graduate of Nelson County High School, Kayla brings over 10 years of professional experience in various areas of business, with the last three years focused in accounting. She studied Accounting at Sullivan University and is excited to bring her knowledge and passion for organization to our school community. Kayla and her husband have three sons, one of whom will be a junior at Bethlehem this fall. When she’s not working or cheering on her boys from the sidelines, she enjoys relaxing with a good book. We’re thrilled to have her as part of the Bethlehem family!

It’s officially KHSAA Dead Period — June 25 to July 9!

This is such an important time for our athletes, coaches, and athletic staff to take a well-deserved break from the hustle and bustle of practices, games, and training. It’s a chance to slow down, recharge, and spend quality time with family and loved ones. 💙

From all of us at Bethlehem High School — Happy Dead Period! Enjoy every moment!

Congratulations to Seth Greenwell for placing 2nd in the Bluegrass Golf Tour Stop at My Old Kentucky Home! His skill, focus, and dedication continue to shine on the course, and we’re so proud of his impressive performance. Way to represent Bethlehem with excellence, Seth—keep up the great work!

We’re excited to announce an update for the Bethlehem Girls Basketball Camp! The camp will now be held on October 9th and 10th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Crawford/Hart Gymnasium. Open to girls entering grades 3 through 8, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn from the Banshees, build skills, and have fun on the court. Don’t miss your chance to train with the team and be part of the Bethlehem basketball experience!

What an incredible athletic year we had at Bethlehem in 2024-2025! We are so blessed with dedicated athletes, amazing coaches, and supportive parents and families who make our programs thrive year after year.

All of our teams work together with one shared goal: to compete at a high level while staying grounded in faith and focused on academics.

Congratulations to everyone on a fantastic year! Let’s rest, recharge, and then get after it again after the dead period. We’re ready to work hard and chase success at every level!