The Seventh-day Adventist Church recognizes God as the ultimate source of existence, truth, and power. In the beginning, God created in His image a perfect humanity, a perfection later marred by sin. Education in its broadest sense is a means of returning human beings to their original relationship with God. The distinctive characteristics of this Adventist worldview, built around creation, the fall, redemption, and re-creation, are derived from the Bible and the inspired writings of Ellen G. White.
The aim of true education is to restore human beings into the image of God as revealed by the life of Jesus Christ. Only through the guidance of the Holy Spirit can this be accomplished. An education of this kind imparts far more than academic knowledge. It fosters a balanced development of the whole person—spiritual, physical, intellectual, and social-emotional—a process that spans a lifetime. Working together, homes, schools, and churches cooperate with divine agencies to prepare learners to be good citizens in this world and for eternity.
1 Seventh-day Adventist schools focus on preparing students not just for success in this life, but for eternity. The ultimate goal of each teacher is to see each student in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
2 Most Seventh-day Adventist schools have a low student-teacher ratio. This allows for more individualized attention and instruction. “The benefits of smaller classes extend beyond test scores and student engagement. In addition to the longer-term positive attributes of small class sizes in the early grades, benefits include continued academic and life success.” www2.ncte.org/statement/why-class-size-matters
3 CognitiveGenesis, a four year study of 30,000 students enrolled in Seventh-day Adventist schools across North America found that students in Seventh-day Adventist schools achieve an average of half a grade above predicted ability in all subjects.
4 Seventh-day Adventist schools benefit from a curriculum especially designed for single and multigrade classrooms. The North American Division Office of Education has developed excellent, high-quality, standards-based materials for all classrooms. The curriculum is designed so that students are constantly connected with Christ and the possibilities He has for each life.
5 Seventh-day Adventist schools have a family atmosphere that is similar to what students encounter in the real world outside the classroom. “The range of social relationships students build in a multilevel classroom more closely reflects the social situations individuals encounter in workplaces, communities, and families.” edu.gov.mb.ca
6 Parents appreciate the stable learning community of Adventist schools and the stronger relationships they are able to develop with their child’s teacher. There are more opportunities for parents to be involved whether it is volunteering in the classroom, assisting with a field trip, or serving on the local school board.
7 “The benefits of having older students offer assistance to younger students are supported by research. Studies show that both the student being tutored and the student doing the tutoring improve academically.” Anderson, R.H. and B. Paven. Nongradeness: Helping it Happen
8 Students in Seventh-day Adventist schools are encouraged to become active members of the local community through various community service projects. From putting on a musical program at the nursing home to raking leaves for an elderly person in the school neighborhood, students are actively engaged in showing God’s love to the world.
9 “A national survey found that 75% of high school dropouts in the United States said that providing smaller classes with more individualized attention would have improved their likelihood of graduating from high school.” Bridgeland, John M. The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts
Students who attend Seventh-day Adventist schools are more likely to attend college. Over 85% of graduates from Seventh-day Adventist high schools attend college and over 80% of them complete college degrees. This is compared to 66% and 14% of public high school students respectively.
10 In single and multi-grade classrooms, remediation and enrichment activities can be more discreetly arranged than in traditional classrooms.
Come visit us and learn more about our Preschool through 8th Grade program. Call 303-828-4944 to schedule a tour.
3100 Ridge View Drive | Erie, CO 80516
Phone: 303-828-4944 | Fax: 303-828-1525 | Email: hello@vistaridge.org
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
Our school is part of the Seventh-day Adventist church, and thus the Adventist Education system, one of the largest Christian educational systems in the world.
