AAE21 strives to invest and train in communications that dictate larger, more diverse associations among students--to overcome or even erase geographic barriers and foster deep collaboration. We find that connective real-life, real-time technologies draw together our family of students, staff and parents. Such technologies include extensive use of live-class videoconferencing, instant messaging, voice and video messaging, email, and the extensive use of electronic discussion groups and forums. These communications are often faster and more efficient than in-office communications. They tend at times to draw out an individual's heart-felt thoughts more than face to face interactions. They also ensure equity, as each individual's "voice" is heard equally. These electronic means of communication tend to invert the normal psychology of the classroom, encouraging equal expression to the most extroverted and introverted individuals.
AE21 Quick Facts
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- AE21 serves students in grades 9 – 12 throughout United States who choose Seventh-day Adventist education excellence
- 90% of all AE21 students are from small school sites
- Current enrollment: 120 in grades 9 - 12
- Post high school: 95% continue on to college; 56% of those are at Adventist universities/colleges
- Classes are taught via delivered via live, interactive video conferencing sessions each day between all students and teachers
- Course work is taught by Master Teachers using web-based technologies including: secure website with access to assignments, discussion forums and grades; webcam, instant messaging, email, telephone and fax
- AE21's unique curriculum is designed around service learning, leadership, Habits of Mind and Christ-like qualities
- AE21 offers College Prep and General Diplomas awarded through Forest Lake Academy via a full compliment of accredited high school classes
- Students may participate in mission trips 2-3 times per year to national and international locations to emphasize service learning
- Check out our FAQ page for more information!
AE21 Program Description
^Back to TopAE21 provides a complete, fully accredited curriculum for grades 9-12, including four years of English and Bible; three years of history, math, and sciences (including lab sciences), two years of foreign languages,as well as a number of one-year or one-semester courses like art appreciation. We are accredited through the North American Division (NAD), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Commission on International and Tran-Regional Accreditation (CITA is the distance learning division of SACS). Through a consortium arrangement with Forest Lake Academy (a fully accredited high school), and the Southern Union Office of Education, secondary students receive credits from Forest Lake Academy and seniors graduate with a Forest Lake Academy diploma . Credits are recognized by other high schools and colleges throughout the U.S. This educational service is primarily sponsored by the Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and its management is overseen by the Florida Conference Office of Education and K-12 Board of Education.
By providing quality educational options, AE21 keeps our youth connected to the church, to Adventist education, and encourages more Adventist high school graduates to seek church-sponsored higher education. AE21 students take charge of their learning experiences and develop technological and creative skills necessary for 21 st century work environments. Course work is taught via web-based technologies and class discussion is enabled by real time interactive videoconferencing. Off-camera student contact with the teacher is maintained through a website, instant messaging, e-mail, and the telephone. Local facilitators link with teachers and parents to support class work and management issues at the local site. Aside from its technological format, AE21 operates with a distinctive future-oriented curriculum that demonstrates that SDA education can adapt in significant ways to meet the needs of the students. The AE21 curriculum is built around the tenets of the North American Division Journey to Excellence Document which include these 10 essential components:
- Acceptance of God
- Commitment to the Church
- Healthy Interpersonal relationship
- Responsible Citizenship
- Balanced living
- Intellectual Development
- Communication Skills
- Personal Management
- Aesthetic Appreciation
- Career and Service
In addition, this curriculum strives to bring several key beliefs into reality for students :
- God has created each individual with a specific set of gifts, traits, and talents that He wishes to use for mankind's benefit. Each student needs to develop these gifts so that he or she can be ready for God's eventual calling.
- Each of us is a member of a world community and as such, we should develop an appreciation and immersion in cultures other than our own. Because of this, we should be literate and fluent in at least one non-birth language.
- Service should be an active, ongoing part of our every day living, and we should look for ways to serve others in need. Mission trips are scheduled twice a year for students to develop their service skills.
- Integrated curriculum maintains a higher relevance and application value for students.
- Student work receives summative as well as formative evaluation and is assessed primarily through the production of student portfolios.
- Students develop a value for life-long learning and realize that in the work world of their future, they will frequently retrain for additional skills in an ever-changing work place.
- Principles are non-negotiable.
AE21 Campuses
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- Click for campus information and map...
- For information about forming a new campus, please contact us.
Mission Statement
^Back to TopAE21 exists to cultivate excellence in leadership through Adventist education.
- Cultivate: each student is created with unique skills, abilities and also weaknesses. We work to help the student learn to develop those areas. Our role is to help the student grow in his or her learning process, not to attempt to pour knowledge into the brain.
- Excellence: God calls us to a standard higher than we can imagine. The question of whether that standard can be obtained is irrelevant. Our task is to empty ourselves of ourselves, and seek to reach that standard through His power and grace.
- Leadership: every person is gifted with at least one aspect of leadership, which may or may not appear as the qualitites we traditionally ascribe to leadership. All leadership has the ultimate purpose of, and manifestation in selfless service and love.
- Adventist: the information given in the Bible and Ellen White's writings on education is crucial to a program of excellence.
- Education: Following principles God has given us, and the information available from human research, we teach with a goal of not simply imparting knowledge, but of developing a whole person prepared for a lifetime of service.
How, why, and when did AE21 begin?
^Back to TopIn 1993, a curriculum initiative from the Potomac Conference (Mid-Atlantic area of the United States) asked some fundamental questions about what should be expected from Seventh-day Adventist education. "How can we prepare our students for the 21st century in a uniquely Seventh-day Adventist setting?" was one of the driving questions. The "Futures Commission" issued a FACT21 document articulating the goals, philosophy, and essential elements of the curriculum in K-12 Adventist schools. As an outgrowth of these two curriculum initiatives, AE21 Distributed Education was born. Leadership, service, and outreach are cornerstones of the integrated curriculum, and cutting-edge educational technology creates cords of community that bind together teacher, student, and quality education. An education gained through use of the AE21 curriculum provides students with leadership training, an emphasis on lifelong service, and the technological skills that will give them an edge in today's competitive job market.
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