Adventist Education
As Seventh-day Adventist educators, we make it our goal to nurture the body, mind, and spirit of every student entering our schools. This holistic approach to education has received recent attention through the CognitiveGenesis study, comparing students in Adventist schools to the national average.
From 2006 to 2011, researchers from La Sierra University collected data from over 50,000 students attending Seventh-day Adventist schools in the United States. They then used the results from the nationally standardized IOWA tests to compare the students in our schools to the national average in reading, mathematics, social studies, science, language arts, and sources of information. The study found that students in SDA schools scored higher in every subject! These findings held true for every demographic, and the longer a student attended one of our Adventist schools, the higher that student achieved. Regardless of the school’s size or budget, Adventist students outperformed their peers every time.
Cognitive Genesis also found that students in Adventist schools perform higher than their personal predicted achievement. This means that according to cognitive assessments, students in our schools actually achieve more than we would expect! This study showed time and time again that Adventist schools provide the best environment for students to learn, grow, and reach their highest potential.
Most importantly, Seventh-day Adventist schools prepare students for life on earth and life in heaven. Teachers share not only academic knowledge with their students, but also wisdom and Godly counsel that lead their students through life’s toughest challenges. Each day begins with practical lessons from God’s Holy Word—lessons that teach students how to walk with their Creator, serve those in their communities, and become the people God intended them to be. As students learn throughout the day, they are reminded of how each subject relates to their personal lives, and they use their knowledge to make a positive difference in the world around them. Seventh-day Adventist education provides students the opportunity to grow in every area, leading to meaningful lives today and throughout eternity.
10 Reasons Adventist Schools Work
1. SPIRITUAL FOCUS
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. STUDENT TEACHER RATIO
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."
Source: www2.ncte.org/statement/why-class-size-matters
3. TAILORED CURRICULUM
Seventh-day Adventist schools benefit from a curriculum especially designed for single and multi-grade 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.
4. ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
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.
Source: The CognitiveGenesis Study
5. FAMILY ATMOSPHERE
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.”
Source: edu.gov.mb.cas Learning and Teaching in the Multilevel Classroom
6. HIGHER EDUCATION
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
Over 80% of them complete college degrees. This is compared to 66% and 14% of public high school students respectively.
Source: Bridgeland, John M. The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts
7. PEER TUTORING
“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
Source: Anderson, R.H. and B. Paven. Nongradeness: Helping it Happen
8. INVOLVED PARENTS
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.
9. COMMUNITY SERVICE
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.
10 REMEDIATION & ENRICHMENT
In single and multi-grade classrooms, remediation and enrichment activities can be more discreetly arranged than in traditional classrooms.