Shenandoah Valley Academy

History

On the 24th of March, 1905, Charles D. Zirkle, while dying in his New Market, VA home, donated his share of his father’s property, a 42 acre piece of land on the outskirts of New Market, to the Virginia Conference of Seventh day Adventists. His purpose was to have a school built for Adventist youth education. Two years later, construction commenced on what was originally known as New Market Academy; that name however duplicated that of an old private school in New Market and thus was changed to its current name, Shenandoah Valley Academy. The school first opened in September 1908 and originally accommodated ten grades. That first year the school had an enrollment of 15 students, the first four of which graduated in 1911. At the time of its founding, Shenandoah Valley Academy was the seventh Seventh-day Adventist high school level academy in the United States.

In the school year of 1913-14, SVA was not in operation due to extreme financial difficulties. In 1918 the school was hit by a flu epidemic that disabled the school and even took one life. From 1916 to 1921 the school was struggling to survive, but was able to continue under the leadership of H. M. Forshee, Principal, and the help of Elder R. D. Hottel who was the pastor of the New Market Seventh-day Adventist Church at the time. Hottel besought funds and foodstuffs for the, at that time needy, school.

The difficulties did not last forever, and in the fall of 1927, W. C. Hannah took the reins of the school. He was principal for an astounding 26 years, and during that time he brought much advancement to the school and the campus.

While most SVA students come from the states of Virginia and Maryland, there are also many that come from other areas in the U.S., namely from the Midwestern Region and the Mid-Atlantic states, and a few from the far South and West. There are also students from countries around the world, such as South Korea, Angola, as well as Latin America. As of 2016, SVA has graduated over 5,200 students.

Campus

The school is located on a 450 acres (1.8 km²) campus in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, and is bordered on one side by the Shenandoah River and on the other sides by the Massanutten Mountain and Allegheny Mountain Range. Most classes are held in the Administration Building. Both the boys' dorm, Phanstiel Hall, and the Girls' Dorm, Hadey Hall, have been fully remodeled within the past two years.

Curriculum

SVA's curriculum consists primarily of the standard courses taught at college preparatory schools across the world. All students are required to take classes in the core areas of English, Basic Sciences, Mathematics, and Social Sciences, with Foreign Language being required for the College Preparatory and Advanced Studies Diplomas. Also, religion classes are mandated on a yearly basis. In addition to its core curriculum, SVA offers three Advanced Placement (AP) classes and Dual Credit classes including Introduction to Computers, Anatomy & Physiology, Physics, American History, Personal Finance, Psychology, Jesus and the Gospels, and Knowing and Sharing Christ.

Diploma options

SVA offers its students three diploma tracks, an Advanced Studies Diploma, a Basic College Preparatory Diploma, and a Basic Diploma. The Advanced Studies Diploma is designed for students expecting to apply to highly selective schools such as those in the Ivy League, Public Ivies or the Little Ivies. The College Preparatory Diploma is designed to gain acceptance into colleges with less demanding acceptance requirements. Towards the conclusion of their junior year, the school selects their senior classes based on their course selections and grade point average to prepare them for the appropriate diploma option.

International Academic Competition

A Senior at SVA was a National Recognition Recipient of the International Academic Competitions's Math Challenge for the 2010-2011 school year. The International Academic Competition are a triad of competitions that recognize outstanding achievement in essay writing, mathematical problem solving and English Vocabulary sponsored by the Center for Future Global Leaders.

Pacific Union College's Maxwell Scholarship

In 2010, Pacific Union College selected a member of the Class of 2010 as one of its five Maxwell Scholar Program winners. The program, Pacific Union College's most prestigious based on "high academic achievement, a commitment to Christian service, and outstanding leadership skills" represents a renewable grant of $15,000 per year to each of its recipients.

National Honor Society

SVA has an active chapter of the National Honor Society, which has existed since at least the year 1974.

Performing arts

SVA has an active, award winning, performing arts program. The department consists of two full-time faculty as well as a number of students from JMU who make available a full range of instrumental lessons to students at SVA. Music groups that are currently active at SVA include the Shenandoans, an elite touring choir, the Valley Ringers, a handbell ensemble, and the Chorale, a large choir. Apart from the vocal and bell groups, there is also the Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, and the String Ensemble which round out the official music groups at Shenandoah. The Shenandoans, Valley Ringers, Concert Band and the Symphony Orchestra tour frequently. Not under the direction of the music department are the Praise Teams who lead the school population in singing at its weekly worship events.

There is also a small drama club on campus which writes and performs small plays for various elementary schools as well as for some school events.

Athletics

The athletic department plays a large part in campus life at SVA, a large percent of the student body participates in the eight varsity teams, and many participate in its intramural sports. Many of the players on its varsity teams go on to play in college athletics at various colleges. The school has won a number of conference awards as well as tournament awards. During the 2009-2010 basketball season, SVA junior guard Ivan Delacruz had the highest scoring average in the area at 25.1 points per game.

Facilities

Other sports meet on off campus locations such as the tennis courts in New Market, Virginia.

List of teams

Includes:

Recent awards

Annual Mission Trip

While enrolled at SVA, students are encouraged to participate in yearly mission trips organized by the Campus Ministries Office. Recent trips have included Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Appalachia, New Mexico, Panama, Brazil, and Zambia. On average, about 40 students participate in these trip annually.

Monthly DC Homeless Trips

Every month, a bus of students from Shenandoah Valley Academy goes to Washington, DC to help feed the city's homeless population.

Assembly

The school holds a weekly 50 minute assembly in the auditorium.

Notable alumni