Shenandoah Valley Academy

Shenandoah Valley Academy, established in 1908, exists to provide a distinctly Seventh-day Adventist college preparatory program through experiences to produce disciples of Jesus who are compassionate citizens prepared for college and careers. Graduating Adventist Christians who will:

• Serve Christ
• Value Knowledge
• Accept a Life of Service

We are all created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). For this reason, the primary purpose of Shenandoah Valley Academy is to develop Creator-like powers in our students that are God-given to all humans: creativity, individuality, and the power to think, to choose, and to do. The object of education at Shenandoah Valley Academy is to develop these powers in our students so that they will think and act as individuals, not mere reflectors of someone else’s thoughts and actions.

We deeply value the environment necessary to achieve this and recognize that it must be protected and nurtured in order to meet our objectives. Accordingly, we select and welcome students, faculty, and staff who thrive in a family where trust is fairly and safely embedded in Christian love and relationships. We are convicted that students benefit and develop best when trusted; they want to be treated with confidence and respect, which is their right. As bonds of love develop with Jesus Christ and within the school family (John 15:12), students will live the Christian life – not merely because of rules, but based on relationships that are too important to risk damaging.

To help students develop into genuine thinkers, we highly value academic rigor and discipline, and also place value on becoming a balanced person through athletics, music, art, culture, and involvement in service for the welfare of others.

We pledge to have sufficient work and justified financial aid to assist any Seventh-day Adventist applicant who truly wants to benefit from a quality education and an Adventist Christian life-style by attending Shenandoah Valley Academy.

We pledge to operate a quality school where students will be spiritually, physically, and socially safe, and will experience mental stimulation and growth from a responsive and caring faculty and staff.

The object of education at Shenandoah Valley Academy is to develop students' creativity, individuality and the power to think, to choose, and to do. In meeting our seven objectives, students will learn to think and act as individuals—not mere reflectors of someone else's thoughts and actions.

• Spirituality: Shenandoah students will develop a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
  First and foremost, in everything we do, we endeavor to create the best possible environment for our students and staff to strengthen their love for Jesus Christ. We expect to provide this environment in the classrooms, at work, at play, and in our worship time.
• Relationships: Shenandoah students will develop strong Christian relationships that will guide their behavior.
  We believe relationships are the most important determinants of behavior. As we develop loving relationships with Jesus and each other, what we do and say will guide our behavior. Special relationships are developed between our students and their Campus Parents that are the basis for trust and privileges. “Rules without relationships lead to rebellion.”
• Academics: Shenandoah students will be recognized for academic excellence.
  We expect our students to be serious students that accept the struggles and rewards of academic rigor and discipline. We provide assistance both in and out of the classrooms for challenged and gifted students to achieve their personal objectives.
• Work Ethics: Shenandoah students will learn the value, rewards, and dignity of work.
  Students are required to participate in our work/study program. We provide each student a job description, work expectations, job performance evaluations, and compensation based on performance.
• Character Development: Shenandoah students will progress in developing their Christian character.
  Character development includes developing Christian life-skills that enable students to think, to choose, and to act as responsible citizens in their community. This requires intentional analysis and a willingness to hold others and us accountable.
• Health and Wellness: Shenandoah students will develop an awareness and lifestyle to provide ongoing health and wellness. Students will be given health risk assessments, training, and resources to follow action plans to positively impact their health and their personal wellness. Instruction in nutrition will provide training in identifying healthy foods and those to avoid/eliminate.
• Fun: Shenandoah students will have fun and be noticeably happy. Christian teenage students expect to have fun, and we will be a generous and guiding source of support to them in having long-lasting fun.