New Adventist School System in College Place

By Scott Rae

WWVA Campus Principal

Last year, the combined constituencies of Rogers Adventist School and Walla Walla Valley Academy voted to merge into the K-12 school system of Walla Walla Valley Adventist Schools.

“After many years of conversation around the benefits of a K-12 collaboration, both the Rogers and WWVA boards voted separately, in May of 2022 to give study to the details, benefits, and logistics of a combined school system,” shared Holley Bryant, head of schools.

The boards assigned a task force made up of individuals from both boards, Upper Columbia Conference, Walla Walla University, Rogers, and WWVA faculty. This taskforce was assigned one year to research and present a recommendation back to the boards.

“The task force evaluated church subsidy and approval, school subsidy from Upper Columbia Conference, board governance, and branding and naming,” explained Bryant. “The task force met with seven different focus groups, these focus groups helped inform the future direction of the taskforce.”

The taskforce then presented their findings separately to both school boards, along with their recommendation to pursue the K-12 collaboration named Walla Walla Valley Adventist Schools. Both boards unanimously accepted that recommendation and voted to send the final decision to the joint constituencies of both schools.

In April of 2023, members of the joint constituency met and heard the report and recommendation from the boards. All constituent churches were represented including College Place Spanish, City Church, Eastgate Church, Milton Church, Stateline Church, Touchet/Umapine, University Church, Village Church, and Walla Walla Spanish.

The constituency voted with a 90 percent positivity rate to formally merge Rogers Adventist School and Walla Walla Valley Academy into the K-12 system named Walla Walla Valley Adventist Schools, effective July 1, 2023.

The doors opened on August 21, 2023, to 474 students in this new, shared, school system, quickly shortened to Valley Adventist Schools.

Students maintain their current strong academic programs, but with options for collaborations in music, athletics, math, drama, and more. 

One combined spiritual plan strategically engages all students in age-appropriate worships, service, study, and connection. 

“From one consistent application and registration process to joint calendars and schedules, officially working together with one shared goal is a better experience for the student, parent, and teacher,” says Bryant. 

“The new logo is a nod to both campuses with an emphasis on our Seventh-day Adventist heritage,” she adds. “The shield also represents strength and truth as we put on the full armor of God, teaching Christian courage and bravery.”