About Us

Mission

Our Mission Statement

The mission of BVAA is to offer, within the English language environment, a Seventh-day Adventist education that helps students reach spiritual, mental, social, and physical development, enabling them to freely express their knowledge and personal relationship with God, to serve as responsible citizens in this world, and to enjoy the world to come.

Philosophy

Our four objectives

Spiritual, physical, mental and social: the areas our education develops in harmony.

A student praying — Religious — genuine religious practice founded on the love of God.

A healthy child — Physical — optimal health, physical capacity and manual dexterity.

Puzzle heart — Mental — maximum development of the intellect, logical reasoning and positive critical thinking.

Friends bumping fists — Social — excellent relationships with peers and the environment around them.

History

Our story

In front of a precious and majestic view at Cerro Las Mesas, where the greatness of a powerful and sovereign God can be contemplated, Bella Vista Adventist Academy was born at Bella Vista Hospital.

Dr. William C. Duscombe, together with other doctors and hospital administrators, saw the need for a primary school for their children. They first gathered at Dr. Duscombe’s house, connected to the Correspondence School of the Adventist Church (Home Schooling). In 1955 a formal school began in a small structure one block from the hospital. It was named “Bella Vista Private School”, classes for the Adventist missionary children were given in English, and it started with only twelve students of first, second, fourth, fifth, sixth and eighth grade.

Doctors and health personnel, including nurses, helped the school grow. Although it was started to offer English-speaking children a Christian education in tune with Seventh-day Adventist principles, its doors were soon opened to the whole community.

Milestones

1955
Bella Vista Private School
A formal school opens one block from Bella Vista Hospital with twelve students.
1958
Enrollment grows to 31
A school for non-Adventist English-speaking children of the community also opens.
1961
Open to Spanish-speaking families
Hispanic children interested in a bilingual education are welcomed.
1966–1980
A growing faculty
From two teachers to three in 1966 and four in 1970, in a multi-grade system.
1972–1977
High school begins
Ninth grade is added in 1972-1973 and tenth grade four years later.
1980
Accreditation in Puerto Rico
Enrollment by grades in Spanish begins, aiming at accreditation under Puerto Rico law.
1988–1989
One classroom per grade
Each grade has its own classroom and teacher.
1989–1990
Bella Vista Adventist Academy
Twelfth grade is added and the school takes its current name. The faculty grows to 18 teachers and the first graduating class has 14 students.
1998
West Adventist Association
Well recognized, the school is transferred from Bella Vista Hospital to the West Adventist Association.