La Sierra Academy

La Sierra Academy , formally known as La Sierra Adventist Academy, is a private, co-educational K–12 school in Riverside, California. La Sierra is a part of the Seventh-day Adventist education system, the world's second largest Christian school system.HistoryLa Sierra Academy was founded in 1922 as a secondary school on land that was formerly part of the 1846 Mexican land grant, Rancho La Sierra from which it acquired its name. The school grew into a junior college and then into a full four year liberal arts college. Soon the college and academy were split again and in 1940 was reorganized as the La Sierra College Preparatory School on the campus of La Sierra University. In 1955 the school moved from to its current location along Pierce Street and Golden Avenue less than a mile away from the University.AcademicsThe required curriculum includes classes in the following subject areas: Religion, English, Oral Communications, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Health, Computer Applications, Fine Arts, and Electives.Spiritual aspectsAll students take religion classes each year that they are enrolled. These classes cover topics in biblical history and Christian and denominational doctrines. Instructors in other disciplines also begin each class period with prayer or a short devotional thought, many which encourage student input. Weekly, the entire student body gathers together in the auditorium for an hour-long chapel service. Outside the classrooms there is year-round spiritually oriented programming that relies on student involvement.