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Prayer for God's Blessing on the Saint Andrew Academy
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Prayer for God's Blessing on Saint Andrew Academy

O Lord Jesus Christ our Savior, the Wisdom, Word and Power of God, true Light from the True Light - Who illumines every human being who believes in Thee, it was Thou Who didst command Thy disciples saying, "Let the children come to Me, for to such belong the Kingdom of God" and it was Thou who didst say, "Whoever receives one such child in My Name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."

We thank Thee for the gift of the children of our parish, and with Thy help we embrace the sacred responsibility for their care. Send down the grace of Thy Holy Spirit upon us to make us adequate for the continuation of this great work. Steady us in our unwavering commitment, that we might not falter when faced with adversity. Enable us to run the race with endurance both in our joy and commitment.

Protect us from the many temptations that encircle us as we negotiate the Orthodox Christian education of our children. Keep far from us, O Lord, the complaining of the ancient Hebrews in the wilderness that so sorely grieved Thee and banned them from the Promised Land. Inspire us to expect constant challenges in so great a task as the proper upbringing of our youth, and to greet these challenges with faith, devotion, creativity, and calm.

As we nourish our youth grant also that the sense of community, mutual responsibility, and love might grow between all who are co-laboring, especially between our Headmaster, faculty, staff, parents, and supporters.

We sincerely thank Thee, gracious Lord, for providing us all the resources we have needed in these first years—and do now, O Lord, open the windows of heaven in Thy great generosity and provide us in our need all the resources we need to continue and expand the St. Andrew Academy.

Give to St. Andrew Academy, O Lord, Thy blessing so that in all things needful we might abound and be wholly Thine and bring honor to Thine All-Holy Name, together with that of Thine Unoriginate Father, and Thine All-Holy, Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever, unto ages of ages. Amen.

WHY SAINT ANDREW

A Place of Faithful Learning and Formation

Why Saint Andrew

The question, “Why Saint Andrew Academy?” is not answered by any single element, but by the life of the community as a whole. At its heart, the Academy is a partnership with families and our mother parish—an environment where children are known, loved, and formed with care. 

This mission is made tangible each day through the people who serve here—our priests, parish council, school board, faculty, and staff—who faithfully pray, support, guide, and model the life we hope to instill. Together, they help create a culture where learning is personal, formation is intentional, and every child is invited to grow in love, wisdom and joy.

We invite you to get to know them, and to experience the community they help foster—because in many ways, that shared life is what makes Saint Andrew Academy a place of genuine formation and faithful learning.

Introducing Jim Scheer

A note from the desk of our Headmaster

My name is Jim Scheer, and I have the honor of serving as Headmaster of the Academy, building on the strong foundation established by our founding Headmaster, Dr. Buhler, who now serves as Director of Advancement.

Being entrusted with this work of helping to form young hearts and minds in the Orthodox tradition—is both humbling and a great joy.  

When I first came to the Academy, I discovered something far larger and richer than I ever expected. It felt a bit like the scene in the Harry Potter movie “The Goblet of Fire” when Harry walks into the Weasley‘s tent pitched outside the Quidditch World 

Jim Scheer

Get To Know Us

A note from the desk of our Headmaster

Cup. From the outside, the tent looks like a small, unassuming A-frame barely able to sleep 2 people, but once he steps inside, he’s amazed at the hidden spacious world full of life.  

That’s exactly what it felt like to walk into St. Andrew Academy. What appears on the outside to be a small parish school opens into a world of depth, beauty, and life that’s hard to describe until you’ve experience it. 

Let me give you just a few glimpses of what happens here every day. 

Our day begins with Orthros. The most important class of the day. Many of our students learn to chant under the guidance of the priests, and Presbytera Catherine.  

In Choir, under the direction of Auntie Regina, our students learn the hymns of the Church.

In Liturgical Arts, they learn to bake prosphora, to make beeswax candles, to sew, create mosaics and so much more!  

Our upper school students are taught by our clergy who are all experienced, educators. They teach the great books classes, Bible, History. 

Our grammar school teachers are also experienced educators – many who have been with the Academy from the beginning. You can be assured of their commitment, love and care for your students. 

Academically, our students are formed in the classical tradition, where the goal is to form the whole person—mind, body, and soul—preparing students for a life of freedom and virtue rather than just career training. 

I had a parent of a prospective student ask the other day how well we prepared our students for college: 

99% of our 3rd-6th grade students read at or above grade level – (5) are reading at a 12th grade level. 80% grew an entire grade level in their reading in just the first semester of this academic year.   

In addition to our rigorous academics – our annual musical is a highlight of the year, bringing immense pride and joy to both students and staff.

If this parish is your home, we invite you to make the Academy a part of your home as well—whether by enrolling your children, offering your time and gifts, or supporting the growing work of the school. 

And as the parish grows, the Academy grows with it. With that growth comes the need for more hands and more hearts to serve our students. 

I invite you—come see it for yourselves. Take a brochure, schedule a tour…Step inside the “tent,” so speak. I promise you, the world inside is far more beautiful and spacious than you might imagine. I can’t wait to meet you! 

Schedule A tour

Introducing Adriana Kazanjian

A note from the desk of our Dean of Operations

It has been a tremendous blessing to witness the Academy’s growth from its founding year—when classes started outdoors on a basketball court and then moved to mostly bare, unfurnished classrooms—to what it has become in just five years. In those early days, the space, the staff, and the students were all new and still a little unformed, and it was difficult to imagine what we would become. Though we continue to be formed and refined, our purpose has grown much clearer: to be a place where we support and challenge one another as we strive to live as true Christians, pursuing a real life in Christ.

Our Mission & distinctives

Adriana Kazanjian

Get To Know Us

A note from the desk of our Dean of Operations

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4700 Canyon Crest Drive (North Building), Riverside, CA 92507

Phone: (951) 484-0722  |  Email: office@saintandrewacademy.com

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