In 1903, one of the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist church, Ellen G. White, wrote a book titled “Education”, in which she laid the philosophical foundation of the Seventh-day Adventist school system, the second-largest Christian school system in the world, with over two million students in over ten thousand schools across the world.

 

Research into the efficacy of Adventist education has shown that students at Adventist schools are academically a year ahead of their peers in other schools.  Some of the principles of Adventist education have since been adopted into public education systems around the world.

 

At Cariboo Adventist Academy, we teach using the British Columbia Ministry of Education curriculum together with the curriculum of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists through the philosophy of Adventist education.

 

While it would not be possible to cover a thousand pages in a few paragraphs, a brief summary of the philosophy of Adventist education is provided here.

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1. Belief in God

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"In a knowledge of God all true knowledge and real development have their source."  (Education, p. 14)

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At CAA, prayer takes place at the start of every class and before every test.  Students participate in worship at the start of every school day, and they attend Bible class daily.  The Spirit of God is present at CAA.

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2. Independent Thinking

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“Every human being, created in the image of God, is endowed with a power akin to that of the Creator—individuality, power to think and to do.  The men and women in whom this power is developed are those who bear responsibilities, who are leaders in enterprise, and who influence character.  It is the work of true education to develop this power, to train young people to be thinkers, and not mere reflectors of other people’s thought.  Let students be directed to the sources of truth, to the vast fields opened for research in nature and revelation.  Let them contemplate the great facts of duty and destiny, and the mind will expand and strengthen.”  (Education, p. 12)

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At CAA, we encourage students to review the facts and come to their own opinions.  We respect and cultivate freedom of thought in our students.

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3. Physical Education

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“The whole body is designed for action, and unless the physical powers are kept in health by active exercise, the mental powers cannot long be used to their highest capacity.”  (Education, p. 207)

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At CAA, we encourage physical activity by registering each child for daily, year-long, physical education classes.  We also offer after-school sports programs from grades 4-12.  Students are taught principles of healthy living, and encouraged to make good choices that will lead to good physical health, because the health of the body is connected to the health of the mind.

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4. Holistic Education

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“True education means more than the pursual of a certain course of study.  It means more than a preparation for the life that now is.  It has to do with the whole being and with the whole period of existence possible to man.  It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers.  It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come.”  (Education, p. 13)

 

True education is not merely academic in nature; it is well-rounded, training all components of a child’s life—mind, body, and spirit.  Students are encouraged to improve their weaknesses and adopt a growth mindset.  At CAA, we strive to provide a well-rounded education to every student.

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5. Work Ethic

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“The youth need to be taught that life means earnest work, responsibility, care-taking.  They need a training that will make them practical—men and women who can cope with emergencies.  They should be taught that the discipline of systematic, well-regulated labour is essential, not only as a safeguard against the vicissitudes of life, but as an aid to all-around development.”  (Education, p. 214)

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At CAA, students are taught that good work ethic is important to success in life.  Students are shown that study leads to better exam marks; students are given tasks to do in the classroom to remind them that we all have our task to fulfill in this shared community.

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6. Industrial Education

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“Since both men and women have a part in home-making, boys as well as girls should gain a knowledge of household duties.  To make a bed and put a room in order, to wash dishes, to prepare a meal, to wash and repair his own clothing, is a training that need not make any boy less manly; it will make him happier and more useful.  And if girls, in turn, could learn to harness and drive a horse, and to use the saw and the hammer, as well as the rake and the hoe, they would be better fitted to meet the emergencies of life.”  (Education, p. 216)

 

CAA has a long association with the timber industry.  Having our foundations in logging camps and sawmills around the Cariboo, we have maintained a woodshop to provide industrial education for decades.  In our applied skills classes students have learned how to prepare meals, how to repair computers, and other practical hands-on skills, and many of our students have been inspired in those classes to pursue careers in the trades.

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7. Outdoor Education

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“So far as possible, let the child from his earliest years be placed where this wonderful lesson book shall be open before him.  Let him behold the glorious scenes painted by the great Master Artist upon the shifting canvas of the heavens, let him become acquainted with the wonders of earth and sea, let him watch the unfolding mysteries of the changing seasons, and, in all His works, learn of the Creator.”  (Education, p. 100)

 

The weather in the Cariboo isn’t always conducive to outdoor education, but it is important to us at CAA to get the students outside as much as possible.  When the weather is warm, PE takes place outdoors.  Students participate in projects in the forest behind the school.  CAA is also looking to build an outdoor classroom, having assembled most of the materials needed, and is looking for volunteers who could help.

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8. Character Education

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“True education does not ignore the value of scientific knowledge or literary acquirements, but above information it values power; above power, goodness; above intellectual acquirements, character.  The world does not so much need men and women of great intellect as of noble character.” (Education, p. 225)

 

Adventist educators work to guide each child into an honest citizen who will treat all with respect and kindness, and perform their work with diligence and care.

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9. Education for Service

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“Like the first is the second commandment—“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:39)  The law of love calls for the devotion of body, mind, and soul to the service of God and our fellow men.  And this service, while making us a blessing to others, brings the greatest blessing to ourselves.”  (Education, p. 16)

 

At CAA, we strive to serve our community, and to teach our students to serve their community.  We participate in community service projects, collecting clothes and gifts for those in need.

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At Cariboo Adventist Academy, your child will have the opportunity to experience education done the Adventist way.  If the educational philosophy described above appeals to you, consider sending your child to CAA.