A Winter School Visit to Rio Lindo Adventist Academy: Discovering a Boarding Community in Northern California

When our car passed through layers of greenery in Northern California, and the mist from the Russian River mixed with the scent of pine trees, the GE school visit group wrapped up the previous stop and finally arrived in the town of Healdsburg, reaching the second stop of our 2025 Winter California School Tour — Rio Lindo Adventist Academy. From the warm first meeting in the administration building to visits to each distinctive campus facility, let us take you on an immersive journey to discover the charm of Rio Lindo Adventist Academy.

Administration Building

The first stop of the visit began at the administration building. Principal Mekey’s opening remarks felt especially warm and genuine: “You are standing in the best school in Northern California. We have 140 students, 80% of whom are boarding students, and every single one of them matters to us.” Without flowery language, his words outlined the school’s essence — this is not just a place for classes, but a “big family” that remembers every student’s story.

After that, the GE team and counselor representatives from Vietnam, the Czech Republic, Mexico, China, and other countries introduced themselves one by one.

Inside the administration building, in addition to faculty offices, the student library is also located here.

Leaving the administration building and walking along the beautiful campus paths, we arrived at the music building.

Performing Arts

The school offers vocal music, choir, touring handbell choir, instrumental ensemble, and private music lessons such as piano and guitar. Each year, the school produces a large-scale musical, such as last year’s Moana, and this spring plans to travel to New York to perform in a large choral event at Carnegie Hall. The building includes practice rooms and a recording studio, and the school also provides a YouTube channel as a platform for students to publish their music videos and other works.

Academics

Mentor Deanna Powell, an alumna who returned to the school, provides free tutoring in math and English for students. Whether it is essay polishing or challenging math problems, students can seek help at any time.

Will, a student from China, left a particularly deep impression on us. From relying on his parents to manage daily life, to setting his own alarm, doing laundry, and cooking hometown dishes to share with classmates, over two years he not only became fluent in spoken English, but also grew confident and composed in classroom presentations.

The most stunning part was the science classroom. In Mr. Keresoma’s class, there are not only rescued pythons and spiders, but also ecosystems built by students themselves — using water samples from the campus river and fallen leaves to create micro-environments, while observing the survival of goldfish. Teachers also take students outdoors, such as observing the massive salmon migration in the Russian River or identifying plants in the forest. Outdoor classrooms make knowledge come alive.

Studio Art

In the ceramics studio, students learn stained glass with art teacher Pappas. Sunlight shines through the semi-finished pieces, casting colorful patterns on the floor. The most moving part of the art program here is “freedom” — students can choose the same course for four consecutive years, and teachers fully support their creativity. Student works are displayed throughout the art studio, each piece reflecting unique aesthetics and thoughtful design.

Industrial Arts Complex

If the art building represents emotional expression, this is the space for rational, hands-on practice. In the woodworking shop, students process fallen trees from the campus into lumber and create coffee tables, longboards, or lamps. Students are free to try skills they may never have imagined learning before.

In the automation program, students who graduated last year restored a fire-damaged vintage car, now polished and looking brand new. In the welding classroom, trailers and the campus gate completed by student teams have become iconic features on campus.

Teachers proudly shared that some students received job offers from Mercedes right after graduation, while others went on to maritime academies to study equipment maintenance. These hands-on, real-world skills beyond textbooks are opening more possibilities for students’ futures.

Dormitory

Dormitories are the top concern for international students, and the details here put all worries to rest. The school has four full-time dorm parents rotating on duty, along with dorm assistants patrolling the floors during evening study hours to ensure quiet and provide academic support.

There are both double and single rooms. New students are paired with non-native speakers, helping them practice English and integrate quickly. The hallways are filled with Christmas decorations, and posters in the common areas promote student-organized “Girls’ Club” activities — karaoke nights, gingerbread house competitions, tie-dye workshops — keeping after-school life full and lively.

Dorm management provides an exceptional sense of security: dorm parents on duty 24/7, over 200 security cameras across campus, alarm systems connected to the dorm apartments, and internet shut off after 11:00 p.m. The most heartwarming part is the holiday arrangement — students who cannot return home can stay on campus. During the last long break, dorm parents took students to visit historical sites in Sacramento, and the principal even took students boating around the Bay Area.

Dining Hall

After a long tour, it was time for dinner. The dining hall prepared a hearty meal for students and visitors alike. In addition to rice, bread, and pancakes, there were fresh fruits, a salad bar, various drinks, sauces, and more.

The final stop of the visit returned to the administration building, where we received special gifts prepared by the school, bringing this fulfilling visit to a perfect close. From academics and arts to hands-on learning and daily life, Rio Lindo Adventist Academy demonstrates the philosophy that “boarding is education” through thoughtful details. Here, students gain not only knowledge, but also independence, responsibility, and empathy — how could anyone not love a campus like this!