Around the world, Adventist education serves as a platform of opportunity for thousands of students. Schools provide quality education to inspire a brighter future. Beyond that, Adventist education shares an even greater hope with its students: a hope in Jesus.

In many cases, students have come to know a loving God through caring and thoughtful teachers. Across the North American Division, there are more than 1,100 Adventist primary and secondary schools.

This territory spans over 12 time zones from Bermuda in the east, to Palau in the west. This gives Adventist schools the opportunity to serve students from various backgrounds and communities.

In the Southwestern region of the United States, Holbrook Indian School focuses on educating the local indigenous people. This school was established as a mission school for the unreached native groups of the southwest.

The majority of students who come to Holbrook are not Adventist, and may have never even heard the gospel message. Many come from environments where they face negative influences, and some of these children grow up thinking drugs, alcohol, abuse, and neglect are normal.

Their experience at Holbrook gives them a new perspective where they find caring teachers and staff, a place where they can just be kids, and a place where they meet Jesus.

Today, Holbrook is teaching students from grades 1 to 12 in practical ways. Their educational program has four pillars: physical health, mental health, spiritual health, and academic achievement. Each component is fundamental to the students’ learning experience.

In addition to core subjects, they offer classes like native cultural studies, welding, woodworking, auto repair, agriculture, pottery, and horsemanship.

“I don’t want to be stuck on the reservation, because once you’re on the reservation, you stay on the reservation. I want to start something new. The one thing my grandpa taught me was that God’s there for you. You just keep looking forward, don’t look backward. That’s why I came to Holbrook and Holbrook’s been my home.”

“When I’m riding horses, it feels amazing because it’s silent, it’s peaceful. The only thing you can hear are the birds chirping and the breeze on the leaves. I feel more myself. I conquered my fear of riding horses. I have no reason to be scared of a horse because they’re just horses.”

“When I run, it feels like home to me. I just like the smell of the trees, and I like the feeling of the dirt. My brothers drink, and they smoke. I don’t like that, so I try to get away from it as much as possible.”

“I decided I wanted to come to Holbrook, and when I got there, I noticed it was different. I noticed the kids there were very different. They weren’t so mean or so irritating. The teachers too. They were really different. They didn’t seem so mean. They just seemed calm and nice. They really help you with all your stuff, your education.”

“I believe that this school provides more than just 100 percent. I like that. It’s awesome.”

Holbrook Indian School continues to give students the chance to create a better future and find hope in Jesus. Please pray for this school and others across the North American Division, and thank you for supporting mission!