Huntingdon Valley Christian Academy offers a rigorous academic program for students in Pre-Kindergarten through 10th grade. The school seeks to develop the whole child-mind, body, and spirit. HVCA’s standard-based curriculum is an implementation of a national model developed by the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.
Our Vision is for every learner to excel in faith, learning, and service, blending biblical truth and academic achievement to honor God and bless others.
Adventist Education Standards
Standards, what learners should know (content) and be able to do (skills), serve as the framework for curriculum development. Standards in Seventh-day Adventist schools reflect the Adventist worldview across the K-12 curricula as well as the integration of national and provincial/state standards. The Adventist worldview accepts the Bible as the standard by which everything else is measured.
Four key concepts emerge from a biblical worldview that can be used as a lens for curriculum development, as well as informing the essential questions and big ideas of any content area:
- Creation. What is God’s intention?
- Fall. How has God’s purpose been distorted?
- Redemption. How does God help us to respond?
- Re-creation. How can we be restored in the image of God?
HVCA Course of Study
Bible
Consider a Bible class where every students’ friendship with Jesus is nurtured, through countless connection opportunities with Him, and a growing, confident knowledge of Scripture, so that they may be challenged to make an eternal difference in our world.
Health and Physical Education
Healthy students are better learners. Over the years, scientific studies have shown a correlation between high standardized test scores and physical fitness scores, and that more time spent in physical education class did not result in a decrease in academic performance.
History
An intrinsic part of Adventist education and serves to amplify and enrich the curriculum through presenting an awareness of God’s hand in the affairs of men and of man’s obligation to serve others.
Language
Instruction in a world language should help students learn to reflect God’s image while developing proficiency in the content areas of foreign language studies— communication, cultures and communities, comparisons, and global connections. This kind of education imparts more than academic knowledge. It fosters the balanced development of the whole person to prepare them for earthly service and heavenly citizenship.
Mathematics
Mathematics instruction from this curriculum should help students learn to see and reflect God’s image while developing proficiency in different aspects of mathematics—understanding, representing, applying and analyzing quantitative relationships. This kind of education imparts more than academic knowledge. It fosters the balanced development of the whole person to prepare them for earthly service and heavenly citizenship.
Music
music curriculum provides both students and teachers with excellent opportunities to enjoy performing and listening to music from North America and around the world, and to develop musical appreciation, knowledge, and literacy skills. Schools of all sizes will discover that the curriculum for grades 3 and 5 will provide ample lessons to be used as the foundation for music instruction for all eight grades.
Science
The science instruction is an engaging, rigorous, and developmentally appropriate curriculum that nurtures children’s natural curiosity as they explore the wonderment of God’s Creation through the lens of the Bible.
Technology
Technology is part of the delivery and practice in every subject area. The technology standards are intentionally designed to give students opportunities to learn about the digital world, to facilitate personalized inquiry, and to prepare for a life of service. The knowledge and skills will extend beyond the classroom to foster lifelong learning so that students can thrive in this changing global society and be contributing, productive citizens while preparing for Christ’s return.
Visual Art
Learning through the arts involves students drawing on their experiences, exploring feelings, observing and researching. Students learn the elements, principles, processes, and techniques as well as the cultural and aesthetic values associated with specific art forms.
Elementary Standards
What learners should know (content) and be able to do (skills), serve as the framework for curriculum development. Standards in North American Seventh-Day Adventist schools reflect the Adventist worldview across the K-12 Curricula as well as the integration of national and state standards.
Secondary Standards
Standards for secondary courses have been developed by teachers to guide an instructional program that is infused with Christian faith and an Adventist worldview. These standards focus on what students should know, understand, and be able to do per national and state standards in addition to the Christian influence.