Gem State Adventist Academy

Throughout 2018-2019 Gem State Adventist Academy (GSAA) has been diligently working on a Strategic Plan to improve and prepare the school for the future.Part of that process was to collect information from key stakeholders such as students, parents, alumni, pastors, the board, faculty & constituents.  A consultant was asked to facilitate the process which included:

• Review of the mission, vision, and values statements

• Identifying and understanding key stakeholders

• Understanding and prioritizing the schools Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT)

• Formal surveys of students, parents, constituents and alumni

• Combining all this information and developing a 5-year plan

Many of you have been a part of this process in some way. Your input has been invaluable and helpful as the board, administration, and faculty plan for the future.  We can’t thank you enough, it is evident you love this school just as we do. We have amazing faculty and young people attending and we are dedicated to providing the very best faith-based education possible.  Are there opportunities for improvement, absolutely, hence the planning process which included surveying of key stakeholders.

Survey Key findings:

• 315 Total Responses

• 42 Pages of written comments

• Overwhelmingly, respondents believe Adventist Education is very important.

• Respondents strongly believe Adventist Education is worth the investment, however expensive.

• Faculty and staff are highly appreciated and considered GSAA’s greatest asset.

• Most feel GSAA has caring Christian staff and a family atmosphere for spiritual development .

• Respondents felt excellent academics and a positive spiritual environment should be the highest priorities.

• Respondents felt more maintenance and facility upgrades are needed.

• Respondents want more focus on STEM in academics.

• Respondents want to see more marketing and recruiting to grow enrollment.

• More regular communication with constituents is needed.

• Respondents want to see more options for keeping tuition affordable.