Education

Story by Kiona Costello

Students travel from near and far to attend Blue Mountain Academy (BMA), whether it is just across the street or a 10-hour plane ride away. Despite the distance or the number of familiar faces, feelings of loneliness can persist. However, at BMA, those feelings can be transformed with the supportive community in place.

Milhery Jean-Misere (pictured center with his friends) is a three-year BMA student from Philadelphia. He previously attended Huntingdon Valley Christian Academy, a Pre-K to eighth grade school, like several current BMA students. Since Jean-Misere already knew some people on campus, it would be easy to assume that he wouldn’t feel lonely, but loneliness can hit even the ones you would least expect.

Shenandoah Valley Academy, Potomac Conference, Callie Buruchara, Diego Rodriguez, Reach Our Kids Ministries

Story by Janel Haas Ware

This year, the new school year at Shenandoah Valley Academy (SVA) began as expected: registration, orientation, dorm move-in, first classes, greeting new and old friends and teachers—and, most importantly, sacred time was set aside for worship and prayer to dedicate everything that happens on campus to God. Students, faculty and staff committed to a year with Jesus as the center of campus life.

A Legacy of Faithful Service, Lake Nelson, New Jersey Conference

Story by Ashley Boggess

 

 

 

 

At Lake Nelson Adventist Academy (LNAA), teaching is more than a profession—it is a ministry. Each classroom is a sanctuary where God’s calling and purpose meet daily instruction. The teachers are mentors and spiritual guides who have embraced their role as a lifelong mission.

Lucas Chow (’27), William Miongo (’27), Andrew Pozo (’28) and Samuel Joel (’28) pause to pray during the academy’s spiritual retreat.

Story by Lauren Esveld

This year’s spiritual retreat for Spencerville Adventist Academy took place at the restful Mount Aetna Camp and Retreat Center in Hagerstown, Md. Having a spiritual retreat at the beginning of the school year served as a refreshing pause that fostered unity among the students and led to reflection and spiritual growth.

The weekend centered on the powerful theme found in John 13:35: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (NIV).

Image by EB Pilgrim from Pixabay

This week at the Columbia Union Conference Board of Education and Executive Committee meetings, the Office of Education staff reported on Columbia Union’s 2025–26 enrollment numbers. The numbers are as follows:

  • 505 students in eight Early Childhood Education stand-alone centers 

  • 2,757 students in 52 schools offering grades PK–8 or K–8 

  • 697 students in six junior academies 

  • 541 students in four boarding academies 

  • 2,177 students in nine senior academies 

Total numbers include: