Griggs University and International Academy

Founder/President/Principal: At the beginning of the twentieth century, an educator by the name of Frederick Griggs envisioned making Christian education available to people around the world. His vision took shape in 1909 with the establishment of The Fireside Correspondence School. Within two years, The Fireside Correspondence School offered 11 secondary and 9 college courses. By 1916 its students represented nearly every state and province in the U.S. and Canada, as well as 10 other countries. The Fireside Correspondence School, now Griggs University/Griggs International Academy (GUI/GIA) celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2009. Because of God's blessing and one man's vision, GU/GIA has met the education needs of hundreds of thousands of students throughout the world. The current President of Griggs University and International Academy is Donald R. Sahly.

School Type: Correspondence School

Founded: 1909

Ages/Grades: Preschool, Kindergarten-Grade 12

School Size: Approximately 2,100

Classroom Size: N/A

Student/Teacher Ratio: N/A

Financial Aid: N/A; Griggs University has a monthy payment plan agreement

Curriculum:

Web Support

Students who register with GIA will be assigned an e-mail address and have access to Web student support services, whether they are studying online or using paper-based courses. All students, Grades K–12, who have access to the Internet will be able to communicate by e-mail directly with teachers and advisors, view grades in an online gradebook, request tests, read announcements, and view their progress toward a high school diploma if applicable.

Elementary

GIA operates one of the few nationally-accredited global distance education programs in the United States and offers a complete elementary curriculum from Kindergarten through Grade 6. The subjects offered are on the K–6 Scope and Sequence chart (pages 6 and 7).

Core areas for Kindergarten are:

• Activity Units
• Reading

Core subjects* for promotion in Grades 1–6 are:

• Handwriting
• Health/Science
• Language
• Math
• Reading
• Social Studies
• Spelling

* Some states require art, music, and physical education. Check with your local school district for the requirements in your area.

Junior High

GIA offers programs for Grades 7 and 8. Students may enroll for an entire program or for individual courses. When students complete all core subjects for the eighth grade, they may request an eighth grade diploma.

Core subjects for promotion in Grade 7 are:

• Language
• Math
• Social Studies
• Science/Health

Core subjects for promotion in Grade 8 are:

• Language
• Math
• History
• Science/Health

High School

The high school curriculum includes courses in all major subject areas—English, math, science, social studies, Bible—and in a selection of electives—foreign languages, home economics, health, business (see page 9). Students earn a State of Maryland approved and regionally accredited high school diploma when they successfully complete their high school graduation requirements. (See Diploma Eligibility on page 10.)

Bible for Students in Public or Secular Private Schools

Through the flexibility of global distance education, Bible courses are available for Christian students enrolled in public or secular private schools. Students in Grades K–8 who are interested in Bible courses should see the Scope and Sequence charts for the desired grade level and refer to the Enrollment Packet and Tuition and Supplies Price List. High school students should see the individual course descriptions for the appropriate grade level and refer to the Enrollment Packet and Tuition and Supplies Order Form.

Note: Students who take only Bible from GIA are not required to submit a report card at the time of enrollment.

Support Services: Instruction The parent’s guide acts as a teacher’s manual, providing directions for the use of the assigned textbooks and additional instruction. It furnishes daily lesson plans, suggests teaching methods and activities, provides answer keys for daily assignments, and offers other information needed to guide children through their courses. Parent’s guides are designed to be used in conjunction with specific course textbooks and materials. GIA recognizes that parents and students may have questions or problems that cannot be answered by the parent’s guide or the textbook. We encourage parents to contact GIA’s elementary teacher, who will be glad to respond to all inquiries. Beginning with Grade 7, instruction is shared among the parent, GIA faculty, and the student. Parents and other adults are still an important part of the educational process. Students need daily encouragement and help to maintain a regular study schedule. For Grades 6, 7, and 9-12, instruction may be delivered through a paper-based instructional guide or through an online course. In both cases, interaction between teacher and student is key. Transfer of credit Credits for global distance education courses may be transferred to other educational institutions. However, students should realize that decisions on acceptability of credit rest with the receiving institution. It is always a good idea for students to contact the school they plan to attend in the future to make certain that credits will transfer. After the completion of each course, GIA will issue a free transcript if a student requests it and his/her account is paid in full. Grades and Testing Elementary GIA elementary teachers grade tests and return them with comments for encouragement or for improvement. Grades are issued as A, B, C, D, or F. Pluses (B+) and minuses (B-) are also used. All K-8 students in the Accredited Plan who complete their courses receive report cards. Junior High Exams may come at the end of chapters, units, or a specified number of submissions. A parent or responsible adult may proctor the exams. Grades are issued as A, B, C, D, or F. Pluses (B+) and minuses (B–) are also used. High School Grades are issued as A, B, C, D, or F. Pluses (B+) and minuses (B–) are also used. Exams must be taken under the supervision of a responsible adult who is not related to the student. Test supervisors are approved at the discretion of the testing department. Final Grades Final grades are issued as A, B, C, D, or F. Pluses (B+) and minuses (B–) are also used. (A school or parents of a minor may request a transcript; however, students 18 years old and older must contact GIA directly for a transcript. End-of-Year Achievement Tests Many local school authorities require year-end achievement tests for children involved in home study programs. GIA offers such testing to students in Grades K–8. Parents of these students may request year-end testing by completing an end-of-year achievement test request form (available from GIA) and by paying a fee. Privacy of Student Records Griggs International Academy/Griggs University complies with the guidelines provided under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. GIA/GU protects the rights under the law of students who are declared independent.

Mission Statement: As a global Seventh-day Adventist educational institution, the mission of Griggs International Academy is to provide educationally sound, values-based, guided independent study and distance education programs that build a foundation for service to God, church, and society. Educational offerings include preschool, elementary, secondary, and higher education programs. These programs and courses, which respond to learner needs in the context of a lifetime learning experience, are available to all who can benefit from them.

Philosophy/Belief Statement:

A Note to Our Students and Parents

We believe that a good Christian education is one of the most important gifts children can be given. It helps to prepare them for the future while guiding and shaping them today. It opens children’s eyes to the beauties of a God-created universe, the marvels of modern science, the problem-solving and analysis of mathematics and philosophy, and an appreciation for literature and the fine arts. While building academic achievement, a Christian education also recognizes the importance of faith in everyday life, especially a faith that transforms individual behavior.

We at Griggs International Academy are dedicated to providing an academically rich, faith-infused experience for your child. Your child’s success is vitally important to us. With the growth of our online programs and our new Web-supported student services, we are making it easier for students and parents to communicate with teachers, advisors, and office staff. We hope to have the chance to work with you and your family!

Core Values Statement:

To accomplish our mission, Griggs International Academy is committed to these core values:

Excellence
We view each student as a special creation, endowed by God with individual talents and abilities that we encourage them to develop by providing a quality, academically rigorous Seventh-day Adventist Christian education at all levels.

Respect
We believe that it is our responsibility to uplift one another by demonstrating respect and consideration for all parents, students and educators through learning that is student centered and redemptive, and customer service that is helpful and friendly.

Integrity
We recognize that mutual trust rests upon a foundation of honesty and transparency. We are honest and straightforward in our dealings, both business and academic, and expect no less from our parents, students, and faculty.

Community
We believe that a safe learning environment and an accepting community are important to effective learning, especially in distance education. We strive to create a learning community where all participants (parents, students, faculty, and administrators) feel valued and understand that they are part of a team by providing opportunities for constructive interaction, and sharing of experiences.

Testimonials:

" It provided an Ivy League Education for a fraction of the cost. The teacher's guide gave step-by-step instruction that was very easy to follow."
- Griggs Parent

"This has been a wonderful experience. The program is perfect in all ways possible. Thank you very much for making it possible for parents to educate their children while being in control of what behaviors they are taught."
- Griggs Parent

"The Handwriting course for Grade 3 was excellent! It allowed me to encourage my child to do her best at penmanship. The assignment provided great practive with her letters and writing words in cursive."
- Griggs Parent