Mother Lode Adventist Junior Academy is just across the parking lot from the Sonora Adventist Church. And its mission, students and staff are never very far from the hearts and minds of the church members.

Facing hard facts like rising costs and local competition from other private schools has led to an aggressive financial assistance plan and innovative and creative learning opportunities.

Adventist Education Foundation Surpasses $1,000,000

It began with an estate. Inherited properties were sold and some of the proceeds — almost $150,000 — were gifted to the church for an educational endowment. Then Mary Seward’s sister died and left $340,000 to the church. Though not an Adventist nor church attendee, she had observed how the Sonora church family treated Mary in her disabilities and advancing age. She liked the way the members behaved toward their senior citizens.

After much discussion, it was decided to use the funds for long-term support of Christian education. If the members would match these monies in two and one-half years, the board would give 100 percent of this unexpected gift to the educational endowment.

“The church members rallied around and took it on as a project. It was blessed without a doubt,” says Clay Maddox. As a certified public accountant, he oversees the endowment’s investments.

“It energized us in our giving,” says Pastor Jim McMurry. “Sonora is always a very generous church. With this project, we could make Christian education more affordable for our kids. It’s been thrilling.”

Interest income from the foundation, less 10 percent to be applied to the principal for growth, is for tuition reduction. The initial goal is to reduce tuition by 25 percent.

Learning Through Discovery

This unique off-campus education program, which began six years ago for ninth and tenth graders, is designed to: (1) promote interaction between parents, teachers and students in a real world; (2) expand the learning environment to include culture and religion in core subjects.

While the off-campus sites have included Belize, Costa Rica and the East Coast — Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington, D.C. — the day’s schedule mirrors a classroom agenda with assignments and homework.

Geometry assignments are studying Mayan temples, measuring angles and computing volumes. Biology is studying local wildlife or analyzing a rain forest. English, journalism and photography assignments include written reports, comparative essays, personal impressions and a photographic record. A local service project is also part of the 10-14 day learning intensive.

“The spiritual element is what really ties it all together,” explains Principal Rod Kerbs, who developed the program. “According to the new Value Genesis report, spiritual growth and maturity in kids can be directly related to the amount of time spent with spiritually mature adults.” Morning and evening worships are dramatically expanded for dialogue, insights and shared experiences.

Back home, the excitement of sharing and growth in spirituality creates a learning community that extends beyond the two-week trip.

Student testimonies about the experience tell the story. “To me, it felt that we came together as a class both spiritually as well as socially," said one student. "We had a special connection… we became family.”

“It’s a once in a life time experience," explained another. "Meeting people from other cultures, other ideas, just an awesome way to learn about life.”