What do we mean with these words? Your child will benefit from learning the skills and knowledge needed to be joyful, contributing citizens now and throughout their lives. We prioritize nurturing each child's relationship with Jesus so they are looking forward to heaven.
To learn how this mission shapes what we do each day, read more below and come see us in action. Call 530-265-2057 to schedule a visit.
Our mission is to support students in deepening their relationship with Jesus. Though spiritual growth can't be easily measured, we witness it unfolding regularly. It begins with our dedication to integrating Christ into every aspect of our education, not just confined to a single Bible class.
Our emphasis on the Bible as the ultimate authority shapes our beliefs and actions as Protestant Christians. We welcome you to explore our campus and witness firsthand how our teachers and staff exemplify their love for God, fostering the same in our students. If you want to know more about what Adventists believe
We are... Experience Rich
We believe that new concepts and information is:
when lessons are taught through real life experiences, rather than through worksheets or computer programs. While those teaching tools can help with reinforcing ideas, they don't engage a child's brain in the same way as active, hands-on experiences.
Our program incorporates three or more long term projects each year which integrate learning across multiple subject areas and between grade levels. Younger students benefit from watching their older peers, while older students gain experience in leadership and reinforce their learning through reminding the "littles." All students get excited about learning that also produces tangible results: a sandbox and water feature, a chicken coop, school-grown vegetables.
In addition, students in our upper grades go on an outdoor education trip to learn and experience more about the natural world around us. These trips vary from year to year so students learn about a variety of ecosystems. They can last between two to four days and are announced early in the school year so families can plan. This year our outdoor education week will be at Leoni Meadows Camp in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
We are... Family Friendly
Life is busy for everyone. Kids are in after-school programs, taking music lessons, on sports teams, and much more. And if there is a long daily commute to and from school, there is very little time left for family time. We firmly belief that God created families and intends them to be the primary nurturers of His children. We are here to support you in your God-given privilege to "train up a child."
We commit to maximizing the time your family can be a family. We will be careful about scheduling events and activities outside of school hours.
Our teachers all hold bachelors' degrees in elementary education. They must maintain certification from the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists which requires ongoing continuing education at or above the requirements for public school teachers.
They are qualified professionals who provide research-based instruction and assessment. Students benefit from teachers' focus on finding individualized solutions for each student, which is possible because we are intentional about keeping class sizes small.
As part of the largest Protestant educational system in the world, our school benefits from deep expertise in educating students from preschool through post-graduate universities.
Your student will benefit receive the foundation needed to achieve his or her dreams. 85% of Adventist school students go on to a four-year college (compared to 66% of public school students). More importantly, 80% complete their college degrees (compared to 14% from public schools).
Our school has always used standardized testing as a way to see what students know and what they are ready to learn, as well as to gauge our effectiveness. In 2021 we switched from the Iowa Assessments (IA) to Measures of Academic Progress (MAP). This test focuses more directly on each child's growth. Our teachers are able to show students what they already know and where they have room for growth in a way that allows students at all grade levels to take ownership of their learning and pride in their accomplishments.
Our student test results place in the top third of private schools nationwide.
Our curricula come from both nationally known and private school publishers. They are chosen based on their compatibility with a Biblically-based, Christian worldview and their use of research-based teaching methodologies.
Your student benefits from the deep and long-standing experience of Seventh-day Adventists in running schools from infant care through post doctoral universities. We are part of the largest Protestant educational system in the world, with 85,000 teachers and 1.5 million students in 150 countries. And we've been doing this since 1853.
Our goal is to develop Christians with wisdom, not just knowledge. So we’ve structured our academic program to put God first and we find that, like Adventist schools of all sizes across the country, this results in students who grow academically at a higher rate than their peers in other schools (see the next paragraph). It really is true that when we “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) To learn more about the specific results of our school, schedule an visit with our principal (530-265-2057).
In a three-year study of 51,000+ students in Adventist schools across the United States (kindergarten through high school), researchers documented that they outperformed the national average. At all grade levels. In schools of all sizes. And in all subjects.
Additionally, researchers compared student performance on standardized tests with what would be predicted based on their Cognitive Abilities Test scores, and found they performed above what would be predicted.
One of the most dramatic findings is that students who transferred to Adventist schools saw a marked improvement in test scores. Furthermore, the longer students are in Adventist schools, the better their achievements and abilities.
Echo Ridge Christian School has been educating students in Nevada County since the 1930's. Our doors opened in 1962 at our current location, and we have been educating students in grades K-8 since then.
“Echo Ridge is the school I went to as a child, and now it is so great to be able to have my kids attend Echo Ridge as well.”
