Home
News
ENLARGE
They call it “the best kept secret in Nevada County,” Principal Sara Griesert, because many people do not know Echo Ridge Christian School even exists.
One reason is the location, tucked into the hillside just west of Ridge Road amid upscale homes and tall pines near Nevada Union High School. The other is most likely its size: 28 mixed-grade students at the Seventh Day Adventist facility.
While that could hurt other schools, Echo Ridge has been going strong since 1961 with the financial help of tuition and the Seventh Day Adventist Conference for Students K-8, Griesert said.
Although there is a Bible class, scripture verses on the wall and instruction on the Creation instead of evolution, “I’m not in there just teaching doctrine,” said Griesert, who also teaches the third through fifth graders. “I don’t say ‘This is what you should think,’ it’s more like, ‘What do you think about this verse?’”
Griesert and her two other teachers are state-certified and enjoy a three-acre campus that includes a gymnasium, library and several large classrooms.
“Parents say the appreciate the curriculum and the small class size,” Griesert said. “We also teach to the individual student. We meet their needs. If that means we have to tutor them three days a week, we do.”
Some parents balk at the mixed-grade classes, but kindergarten through second grade teacher and Nevada County native Tami Sepeda thinks it is an advantage.
Older students help out the younger ones in their classes.
“What makes learning learning is when information goes into the brain it fits into a wrinkle, and the best way to know it is to teach it,” Sepeda said.
The mixed class also helps students progress without knowledge passing them by, Sepeda said. “If they don’t get it in the first grade, they will in the second.”
“They teach one another and reinforce the knowledge,” Griesert said. “The older students become mentors to the younger kids. The dynamics are pretty cool.”
Teacher Sari Clarkleman handles the sixth through eighth graders and has taught at public and Christian schools.
“I like the Adventist schools because we put emphasis on the whole child, mentally, spiritually, physically and socially,” Clarkleman said. “It’s not just about learning math. The focus in on a child’s whole well-being.
“You learn how to deal with conflict in a Christian school and become validated as a human being and not just be a test score.”
Student Madilyn Malott appreciates Clarkleman’s approach.
“She’s not just a teacher,” Malott said. “She’s like a counselor, and she doesn’t just stand there and tell you what to do.”
“It’s just a nice environment,” said classmate Zech Stanton. “Everyone’s nice and it doesn’t feel like a public school. It’s basically a family.”
The family concept spreads to the parents, who volunteer at the school, Griesert said.
“Without them, we don’t do it,” Griesert said.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
One reason is the location, tucked into the hillside just west of Ridge Road amid upscale homes and tall pines near Nevada Union High School. The other is most likely its size: 28 mixed-grade students at the Seventh Day Adventist facility.
While that could hurt other schools, Echo Ridge has been going strong since 1961 with the financial help of tuition and the Seventh Day Adventist Conference for Students K-8, Griesert said.
Although there is a Bible class, scripture verses on the wall and instruction on the Creation instead of evolution, “I’m not in there just teaching doctrine,” said Griesert, who also teaches the third through fifth graders. “I don’t say ‘This is what you should think,’ it’s more like, ‘What do you think about this verse?’”
Griesert and her two other teachers are state-certified and enjoy a three-acre campus that includes a gymnasium, library and several large classrooms.
“Parents say the appreciate the curriculum and the small class size,” Griesert said. “We also teach to the individual student. We meet their needs. If that means we have to tutor them three days a week, we do.”
Some parents balk at the mixed-grade classes, but kindergarten through second grade teacher and Nevada County native Tami Sepeda thinks it is an advantage.
Older students help out the younger ones in their classes.
“What makes learning learning is when information goes into the brain it fits into a wrinkle, and the best way to know it is to teach it,” Sepeda said.
The mixed class also helps students progress without knowledge passing them by, Sepeda said. “If they don’t get it in the first grade, they will in the second.”
“They teach one another and reinforce the knowledge,” Griesert said. “The older students become mentors to the younger kids. The dynamics are pretty cool.”
Teacher Sari Clarkleman handles the sixth through eighth graders and has taught at public and Christian schools.
“I like the Adventist schools because we put emphasis on the whole child, mentally, spiritually, physically and socially,” Clarkleman said. “It’s not just about learning math. The focus in on a child’s whole well-being.
“You learn how to deal with conflict in a Christian school and become validated as a human being and not just be a test score.”
Student Madilyn Malott appreciates Clarkleman’s approach.
“She’s not just a teacher,” Malott said. “She’s like a counselor, and she doesn’t just stand there and tell you what to do.”
“It’s just a nice environment,” said classmate Zech Stanton. “Everyone’s nice and it doesn’t feel like a public school. It’s basically a family.”
The family concept spreads to the parents, who volunteer at the school, Griesert said.
“Without them, we don’t do it,” Griesert said.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
