Spencerville Adventist Academy

Posted: January 19, 2023

I have three children, and we've chosen Spencerville Adventist Academy for all three. Two of my children attended Montgomery County public schools for a portion of their education, so we have had a chance to contrast and compare. Spencerville Adventist Academy in outstanding on many fronts. My children are treated like individuals - they are cherished and academically challenged. The values they are taught are very good and the multi-cultural staff and student body work together well. It is large enough to have a great music program and sports, but small enough that students interested in being in the annual musical or on a sports team, can be. All in all, I highly recommend Spencerville Adventist Academy.

Posted: January 19, 2023

Posted: January 19, 2023

Posted: January 19, 2023

Posted: January 19, 2023

Posted: January 19, 2023

Posted: January 19, 2023

Posted: January 19, 2023

Posted: August 10, 2022

At the moment, my review is reflective of SAA's registration and enrollment process. As a first time student/parent, we received a comprehensive and impressive tour of the school building and curriculum. The faculty member who administered the tour was pleasant, gracious and knowledgeable. Unfortunately the application process has been nothing short of confusing and unorganized on behalf of the school's administration. With the new school year approaching, the website has not been updated to reflect current information. There is not outline or guidance to the enrollment process. The registrar is slow to communicate and fails to convey important updates or lack there of. With the significant amount of monetary investment into tuition, expectations have not been met and I have needed to walk myself through the process most of the way by initiating inquiries. I believe that the school needs to enforce specific deadlines if they do not have the capacity to process enrollments efficiently. I am taken aback by the lack of professionalism and communication which has caused me to question if this is the right institution for my children. When compared to the public school system, Spencerville Adventist Academy has fallen short and hopefully can make improvements to at least reach that standard.

Posted: August 10, 2022

Posted: August 10, 2022

Posted: August 10, 2022

Posted: August 10, 2022

Posted: August 10, 2022

Posted: August 10, 2022

Posted: August 10, 2022

Posted: June 12, 2022

Four of my children have attended (being fairly new to this particular school), and it is the best overall educational experience they have ever had. They know that their teachers care about them personally, and they actually look forward to going to school every day. There are so many extracurricular activities and educational opportunities that weren’t available at their previous schools. The spiritual mission of the school is felt daily—and not simply in Bible class. I will be sending them back to SAA!

Posted: June 12, 2022

Posted: June 12, 2022

Posted: June 12, 2022

Posted: June 12, 2022

Posted: June 12, 2022

Posted: June 12, 2022

Posted: June 12, 2022

Posted: October 26, 2021

Spencerville Adventist Academy has provided educational opportunity for thousands over several decades, helped them reach numerous wonderful achievements, and formed the center of a special community that has been a blessing to numerous people.

Yet along the way, SAA has compromised its mission and failed to live up to its full potential. The concentration of power in the hands of the same few influential persons for years on end, but without an adequate constituent oversight model has led to the undemocratic disenfranchisement of stakeholders, excesses and abuses of power, and the hierarchical trafficking in silence and hubris at the expense of staff, students, and parents.

SAA desperately needs some form of effective Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) to address important concerns and to have a seat at the table on the School Board.

Google this: "Eyes On SAA by Lillian Hepburn-Richmond" for an open forum blog that was recently begun by a cohort of concerned parents about SAA.

Posted: October 26, 2021

Posted: October 26, 2021

Posted: October 26, 2021

Posted: October 26, 2021

Posted: October 26, 2021

Posted: October 26, 2021

Posted: October 2, 2018

Posted: October 2, 2018

Politics are put over eduction. Based on my observations the teacher are biased and passive aggressive with certain students. Would not recommend.

Posted: October 2, 2018

Posted: October 2, 2018

Posted: October 2, 2018

Posted: October 2, 2018

Posted: October 2, 2018

Pretty bad. Of the Adventist high schools that I’ve reviewed, this is the worst. Would not recommend.

Posted: May 1, 2018

The school participates in the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. According to the Olweus survey taken by each student, the school's level of bullying is extremely low. Despite the low percentage, even one student being bullied is too many. Therefore, students meet on a monthly basis to identify forms of bullying, to discuss how to properly handle a situation if someone is being bullied, and ultimately, how to behave as loving Christians on a daily basis.

Posted: May 1, 2018

This is evident in the way many discipline issues have been handled with students. They hold students accountable to their decisions and use the situation as an opportunity for growth.

Posted: May 1, 2018

The administration provides ample professional development and participates in professional development for themselves each semester. They do their best to balance mercy and justice.

Posted: May 1, 2018

The teachers work closely with the resource teacher to make sure that all students are held to high and reasonable standards. The teachers use a variety of teaching methods as to reach all learner types.

Posted: May 1, 2018

As someone who not only attended SAA as a student 9-12th grade but is also a teacher there since graduating from college, I can honestly say that SAA is a phenomenal school. I personally know how dedicated the staff and administration are to providing quality Christian education that not only prepares students to be successful in the 21st century but to also prepare them for the Kingdom of Heaven. SAA has rigorous academics (with AP classes offered), countless opportunities for leadership and service, impressive athletic and art programs, and offers an inclusive and welcoming environment to families of ALL religious and ethnic backgrounds. One of the things I love most about SAA is the level of acceptance and appreciation of other cultures. There is a misconception that SAA is a "white school." That cannot be further from the truth. Every day when I walk down the halls it is like walking through a parade of nations. My students know they mean the world to me, I love working at SAA, and I'm very blessed for the opportunities that SAA has given me both as a student and as a teacher to learn and grow every day. (And no, no administrator asked me to write this review. I did it because I saw the negative reviews and felt compelled to share what SAA is really like for me and many others.)

Posted: May 1, 2018

Homework is not busy, but used to deepen students' understanding. In the high school, formative assessment (which includes homework) is worth 10% of the students' final grade and summative assessment is worth 90% of the students' final grade. This is to prepare students for grading scales in college.

Posted: May 1, 2018

The teachers truly care about the students' wholistic growth. They are dedicated to growing in their content areas and seek effective practices for differentiated teaching.

Posted: June 19, 2015

My daughter did not attend pre-k and they accept her for kindergarten and also English wasn't her primary language, She finished kindergarten reading like a second grader. Great people, great kids. They work hard and love what they do.
At Spencerville Academy I know my kids are learning and having a great time. They also have extra activities and after care program.

Posted: June 19, 2015

Posted: May 14, 2014

As a former parent, our experience was just ok. The politics of the school are troublesome. If your child is not an extremely conservative republican, you'd better keep your mouth shut. This is not a place where every Christian is valued. My child was afraid to chime in with her views when she realized that her views were unacceptable. The school follows The Matthew approach...if a child has a problem with a teacher or administrator, she/he has to approach that adult themselves before the adult will speak to an adult. My daughter was too afraid to do this because she was a child, This method isn't even developmentally appropriate and serves to terrify the child into compliance. The principal appears to not really want to lead, but to intimidate and take things personally when confronted with issues. And there are inconsistencies within the teaching staff. Some keep up to date grade books, others update grade books whenever, and others seem to only give very few assignments at all. There is one teacher who encourages the kids to go to community college above four year colleges which makes me wonder if I made a mistake in paying so much money for this school.

Posted: August 29, 2013

My children have attended Spencerville Adventist Academy for 3 years. While there is an emphasis on religious education, there is also emphasis on leadership & confidence building through the strong music and drama program. The academics is excellent in areas, as well as average in other areas, as in all schools, depending on the teacher. It is a sweet, safe environment for children to learn and grow. The parents are an involved group, which adds to the sense of community.

Posted: July 15, 2013

As a parent of a former SAA student I will attest to the poor quality of the academics in the elementary school at SAA. Although my child was consistently on the honor roll at SAA, my child was testing in the 10th percentile on national standardized tests for math. As a rising 6th grader, an independent reading specialist determined that my child was reading on the 4th grade level. There is a great deal of emphasis placed on spiritual life at SAA, not much on academics however.