Why Boarding School?
We believe that true education develops the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. As a distinctly Seventh-day Adventist boarding school, Shenandoah Valley Academy exists to cultivate Christian character, preparing students for the joy of service to their Creator, their community, and the world at large.
Surrounded by support
We deeply value the environment necessary to achieve this and recognize that it must be protected and nurtured in order to meet our objectives. Accordingly, we welcome students into a campus family where trust is safely embedded in Christian love and relationships. Surrounded by faculty, staff, and dormitory deans who are personally invested in their well-being, students grow in an atmosphere of accountability, mentorship, and support. Whether through late-night conversations, a shared meal, or a pick-up basketball game, students develop meaningful relationships that shape their spiritual and personal growth.
Diverse experiences and opportunities
We are convicted that students thrive when challenged, and that broad experiences help shape them into thoughtful, engaged individuals. Nestled in the heart of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, our location offers both natural beauty and access to diverse educational and cultural experiences. From mission trips to distant countries, music tours, academic excursions, and service projects, to sporting events, concerts, and leadership opportunities, students expand their perspectives and develop a heart for service.
All-around preparation
We pledge to provide an academic program that challenges students to think deeply and prepares them for the rigor of college and beyond. More than just an academic institution, SVA is a training ground for life. Here, students learn to live independently, to cultivate meaningful relationships, and to develop responsibility through participation in the work program. When they leave Shenandoah Valley Academy, they do so with confidence—fully prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
"We have a daughter who lived in the dorms and graduated from SVA. The transition to living in the dorm in college has been really easy. She has had no adjustment issues like her friends there who never lived in a dorm before. She loves being independent and on her own. She has developed very close sister like relationships with friends who were with her at SVA in the dorm. She is in constant contact with them even though they are at other colleges or universities." - SVA Parent
