About Sandpoint Junior Academy
Sandpoint Junior Academy is a private Christian school located in Sandpoint, ID. It is part of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist educational system that includes elementary and high schools as well as colleges and universities throughout the world.
What Sets Us Apart?
Growing Spiritually
We exist to help students grow in their love for Jesus. While spiritual growth can’t be measured and quantified with numbers, we do see it happening every day. It starts with our commitment to making Christ the center of all we do––not just the subject of a single Bible class. And it continues through our focus on the Bible as the sole guide for our beliefs and behavior as Protestant Christians. We invite you to visit our campus and experience how our teachers and staff model their love for God and nurture it in our students.
Growing academically
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. 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 Education Success Consult with our principal.
Growing physically
Making healthy choices is a way of honoring our bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). And plenty of research documents the importance of healthy bodies in developing healthy brains. We also include learning about taking care of our bodies with daily exercise, good sleep, healthy eating, and more. To see how we integrate wise lifestyle choices into our curricula, come visit our campus.
Growing socially
Loving and serving others is part of God’s plan for each of us and something we practice daily. As we interact with each other here at school and as we practice service in our community, we are guided by Paul’s words, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2) While we are not perfect, we are constantly aiming to be more Christ-like with each other and to serve our community. Come visit to our campus.
Scholastic Information
Curriculum
The curriculum of grades 1-8 conforms to the requirements of the North Pacific Union Conference Department of Education. Grades and credits earned at Sandpoint Junior Academy are accepted in all Seventh-day Adventist schools as well as public schools.
Grades 1-8
- Bible
- Language
- Arts
- Math
- Music
- Science
- Technology (5-8)
- Social Studies
- Art
- Physical Education
- Drama (elective)
Skiing
During the winter, Sandpoint Junior Academy participates in a one-day-a-week ski program at Schweitzer as part of the school physical education program for an eight-week period. All students are required to participate with the school.
Students in Adventist schools outperform.
In a three-year study of 51,000+ students in Adventist schools (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.
Students in Adventist schools overachieve.
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.
Students in Adventist schools gain even more with time.
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.
A Journey To Excellence
Discover Adventist Education
Michael Lee
Principal/Teacher
Michael Lee is a Montana native who considers himself a life-long student. He loves learning and has often said that if he could be a professional student (and make a living that way), he would do it.
Meet the rest of our staff.
Michael Lee
Position: Principal/Teacher
- M.A. in Teaching from Walla Walla University
- B.S. Religion and Biblical Languages from Walla Walla College
- Minor in Music from Walla Walla College
Michael Lee is a Montana native who considers himself a life-long student. He loves learning and has often said that if he could be a professional student (and make a living that way), he would do it. Teaching seemed to be the next best thing. Michael received his bachelor’s degree in Religion and Biblical Languages with a minor in Music from Walla Walla College. He immediately entered grad school at Walla Walla University (nee Walla Walla College) and finished his Master of Arts in Teaching. Since graduating, he has taught part time or full time in Thailand, Washington, Hawaii, Montana, and Idaho and has worked in youth ministry or some form of administration in Washington, Montana, California, and Idaho
Brandi Poncy
Position: Teacher
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
- Minor in Psychology
Brandi Poncy was born and raised in Walla Walla, WA. She went to Walla Walla University and graduated in 2004 with a BS in Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology. She took a year out her sophomore year to teach third grade in the Marshall Islands, Micronesia. After graduation, she taught first grade in Bangkok, Thailand for two years then returned to teach 5th – 8th grade in Pendleton, OR for one year. She then moved to Sandpoint, ID in 2007 to teach and has been here ever since. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and being outside.
Janice Wall
Position: Music Teacher
- Bachelor of Arts in Music Educatio
- Master of Arts in Music and Vocal Performance
- Highest Degree: Master of Arts
- Major Field: Music Education
Janice Wall joined Sandpoint Junior Academy in 2017 teaching music, choir and drama. She has a Bachelor of Music Education and an extensive teaching history having taught kindergarten to college level band, choir, strings and drama at various schools since 2001. Jan is more than a passionate teacher, she is also a talented musician and holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance. In addition to teaching at SJA, Jan also teaches music at the Sandpoint Music Conservatory and through private lessons.
Jere Fillman
Position: Teacher
Education degree with an emphasis on Special Education.
Jere Fillman was born in Sacramento, CA. and obtained his Education Degree from Pacific Union College with an emphasis on special education. After graduating he did student teaching for one year then went on to teach 1 – 3 grades in Nappa Valley. He has been married to his wife Terri for 35 years and they have 2 grown children. Jere was a case manager in Georgia for 15 years before moving back to Idaho and accepting a teaching position for 1 – 5 grade Special Ed at Valley View Elementary School. Jere started at SJA during the 2019/2020 school year and accepted a full time teacher’s aide/teacher position for grades 1 – 8 in 2020. Jere loves working with kids, watching them learn and teaching PE and games. Outside of school he enjoys mountain biking and horseback riding.
Debbie Roberts
Position: Art Teacher
- Art Teacher Certification
Debbie Roberts was born in Sandpoint, Idaho. She is married to husband Dale of 49 years, also a native of Sandpoint, both are life-long residents of Bonner County with 2 generations proceeding them & 3 generations following them. They have 3 daughters along with their 3 sons-in-law, 12 grandchildren of which 5 are grown & married, equaling 17 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Debbie is a self-taught artist, she started seriously drawing at the age of 17 and then moved into other art mediums, selling many oil paintings on metal & canvas. She began to teach Art at private schools in 1987 and has been giving group & private art classes for 35 years. Creating & selling her art in various mediums. After her last grandchild was born in 2010 she took Art college courses and earned a certificate to teach Art. She figured she should probably have a credited certificate after all the years of teaching to confirm she was doing it right.
Her main purpose is to glorify God in all she does. It’s a blessing & an honor to teach a subject she loves & to be able to pass this onto others so they too can glorify God and discover the joy of Art! She began teaching art at SJA this past fall of 2021.
Cristina Welser
Position: Secretary/Treasurer
- B.A. in Business Administration from Walla Walla University
- Minor in Communications from Walla Walla University
A native of the Northwest, Cristina was born in Montana. As a teenager, her family relocated to Washington where she attended Cascade Christian Academy. She graduated from Walla Walla University with a B.A. in Business Administration and a minor in Communications. After graduating, she moved to Northern Idaho and married her college sweetheart on the shores of Priest Lake. She resides in beautiful Sandpoint with her husband and two children. Cristina loves to travel and has been to the Marshall Islands on a mission trip and has toured Europe. She loves art, spending time with her family, and the outdoors for snowboarding, biking, camping, boating, and gardening. She enjoys working at SJA and being part of its Christ-centered, family atmosphere.
Interested In SJA?
Are you looking for a school that integrates Christian values into every aspect of education?
Sandpoint Jr Academy offers hands-on learning in a small class environment, tailored to each student’s needs with a personalized approach.
We’ve been a cornerstone of faith-based education in Sandpoint since 1940.
“We believe the Adventist advantage in education is due to a holistic approach taken by the school system. There’s an unusual commitment to educating the mind, body and spirit.”
-Elissa Kido, EdD
208-263-3584
2255 Pine St
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Directions
Provided by the North American Division and AdventistSchoolConnect.org
