FAQ

Yes.  SVA welcomes students from all faiths.  We are all at different places in our spiritual journeys and SVA promotes tolerance and love.  SVA also values the right of families and students to attend a school which is distinctly Christian.  Students should apply who express and demonstrate a desire to adhere to the school’s high standards of behavior, based on Biblical values and lifestyle choices.  Students’ words and actions are to be characterized by reverence, respect, and responsibility.

• SVA is committed to providing the advantages of Adventist Christian Education to every qualified student, regardless of income.  
• Students from a very wide range of socio-economic situations attend.
• SVA costs $15,500 per year for a community student and $24,800 per year for a dorm student who is a Senior.  
• Students work to pay $2,000 (underclassmen), and $3,000 (upperclassmen) of their bill and to learn important skills and habits.
• Many churches contribute a portion, which SVA matches up to $1,500.
• Students work in various summer ministries and SVA matches a portion of this income.
• SVA awards scholarships for excellence in academics, leadership, music, and athletics.  
• Because of the generosity of Alumni and Friends, Shenandoah Valley Academy keeps the bold, important promise that no qualified student is turned away from Shenandoah because of finances.
• Apply today to begin the financial aid process to make Adventist boarding school education at SVA possible for you!

• The majority of teaching faculty have earned advanced degrees.
• Students who transfer from public school find a higher level of academic rigor.
• SVA is proud of our National Merit Commended Students.
• Performance on year-end AP tests, can entitle students to college credit.
• SVA partners with several colleges - Washington Adventist University and Southern Adventist University - to offer a wide range of college credit offerings.
• Students can graduate from SVA with a substantial amount of college credit earned through Dual Credit classes in:
  • WAU - Business – Personal Finance
  • WAU - Math – Precalculus
  • WAU - Religion – Principles of the Christian Faith
  • WAU - Science – College Anatomy and Physiology  
  • SAU - English – Comp 101  
• Dual Credit classes are also available through Kettering Path and Andrews University.

• SVA takes steps to promote a safe, Christian environment.
• The school network is monitored and filtered.  Veyon software is used by deans and supervisors to monitor and control computer use in the labs.
• SVA has four computer labs – Twomley Hall Main Lab, Twomley Hall Library, Phanstiel Hall Lab, and Hadley Hall Lab.  There are two mobile laptop carts for classroom use.
• Wi-fi is not provided for students.
• Students are not allowed to have smartphones with social media and internet access.
• Students can have Gabb phones with talk, text, and camera capabilities.
• Phones are provided by SVA to facilitate communication between parents and students.
• If you call and wish to speak with your child, we will find him/her.
• Whenever your child wants to call you, we will see that he or she can.
• Gabb phones are turned in to the dean every night.
• Phones are not allowed in the cafeteria or in the ad building.
• SVA seeks to educate students regarding screen addiction and the well documented link between social media and the epidemic of mental illness.
• SVA provides abundant opportunities for real, rather than virtual, living and learning. 

SVA can provide limited academic accommodations.  That is, the school is prepared to help students with mild learning challenges to meet academic expectations and to fulfill course requirements.  SVA is not prepared to provide modifications.  That is, the school does not modify what a student is taught or expected to learn.

Everyone is different.  We understand this.  Students with learning challenges often thrive at SVA because the high standards are accompanied by high levels of support.  This support includes one-on-one teacher help, formal and informal peer tutoring, reasonable variations in test times, and additional study halls.  It’s all part of the  goal at Shenandoah - Student Success. 

• SVA values and encourages parent engagement.
• SVA publishes the phone numbers and email addresses of all full-time faculty and staff.  
• Behavior reports, good and bad, are sent via email.  
• Absences and tardies are emailed to parents daily.
• An email weekly update is sent to all parents.
• Grades and assignments are available 24/7 on Family Portal.  Grades are entered within three days of an assessment due date, and weekly grade reports are emailed.

SVA is fully accredited by the following entities:

• Denominational: The Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools, Colleges, and Universities.
• State: Virginia Council for Private Education as authorized by the Virginia Board of Education.
• Regional: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.