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Rotary Scholarship

Andrews Academy is proud to recognize senior Daniel Kondrat for earning first place in the 46th annual Rotary Scholarship Essay Contest. The Rotary Club of St. Joseph-Benton Harbor partners each year with Berrien RESA to host the contest and select a timely topic. This year, students wrote about artificial intelligence—exploring how it may transform societal structures and raise ethical concerns. Essays were written on-site at the RESA building without the use of smartphones or AI, emphasizing critical thinking, strong writing skills, and engagement with contemporary issues. 

A panel of eight judges evaluated the 15 essays based on content, originality, style, coherence, and grammar to select the top three winners. Daniel Kondrat of Andrews Academy earned first place and plans to attend Andrews University this fall. Second place went to Melody Kertawidjaja of Berrien Springs High School, and third place to Seth Martin of St. Joseph High School. Daniel read his winning essay at the awards ceremony, where the Rotary Club hosted a luncheon in St. Joseph on April 20, 2026, and presented him with a $1,000 scholarship.

2026-2027 Re-Enrollment

Andrews Academy’s administration and staff welcome you to re-enroll your child for the 2026-2027 school year. Parents, please take time now to complete your child’s re-enrollment for next year. Only one parent/guardian can re-enroll, and if you want to change the parent responsible, please let Gina Meekma (aaadmissions@andrews.edu) know.

March 25, 2026
FACTS Re-Enrollment Opened

March 31
Academic Orientation, Class Schedule Available

Week of April 20

Financial Clearance Appointments Began
 

August 3
Tuition #1 Due

August 12

Check-In Day (times by last name)

August 19
First (Half) Day of School

FACTS ENROLLMENT

FACTS requires a non-refundable $100 payment upon submission of enrollment. A verification email will be sent to you.

Follow these simple instructions:

1. Please go to https://factsmgt.com

2. Select Log In Here.
3. Under For Families, select Family Portal Log In.

4. Enter AN-MI into the District Code field.

5. Enter your username and password. If you have forgotten your username or password, please click on the link provided. If you are unable to log in, please contact Gina Meekma (aaadmissions@andrews.edu or call 269-471-3138) for assistance.

6. After logging in, click on the Apply/Enroll button in the left menu.

7. Click on the Enrollment/Re-enrollment button.

Our Enrollment system will open with a link to the enrollment packet for your child. The online process should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Your information will be saved if you need to quit and come back later. 

(Please Note: You will need to use a computer to access the online enrollment packet. Mobile devices can be used to log into FACTS; however, the enrollment function will not work correctly.)

MEDICAL INSURANCE CARD

Upload a medical insurance card (front & back – clear photos, jpeg format only) when completing FACTS enrollment OR email to aaadmissions@andrews.edu.

🚩 FINANCIAL AGREEMENT -  You do not need to meet with Ms. Gracie before following the steps above for re-enrolling.

The Financial Agreement and Financial Aid forms are now available. They were emailed to parents on April 16. They are also on our website, and physical copies are in the office. 

The Financial Agreement must be approved by Gracie Gaytan, Student Accounts Manager. Appointments with Gracie begin soon. She will set up appointments with families who have submitted their completed paperwork. Submit to the office or email completed paperwork to Gracie (gaytan@andrews.edu) to request an appointment. Only one appointment per family is necessary unless there are special circumstances. We appreciate your patience as she has many families to meet with as well as other responsibilities.

Other financial forms (Family Discount, Project Assist, and AU Employee Educational Assistance) are also available on our website.

CLASS SCHEDULE - Available as of March 31

Upon completion of FACTS Re-Enrollment, an email will be sent to you with instructions to make an appointment with the registrar. Students, you may put your name on the sign-up sheet on Ms. Ivonne's door in the library in case she can meet with you sooner.

Note: FACTS Re-Enrollment must be done before you can meet with Ms. Ivonne regarding classes for 2026-27. 

Your class schedule will be time-stamped, and reservation for classes will be based upon financial clearance, class standing, availability, attendance records, and a time stamp.

• Instructions and forms are located on the Andrews Academy website.

CONTACT US

Re-Enrollment Process: aaadmissions@andrews.edu (Gina Meekma)

Financial Information: gaytan@andrews.edu (Gracie Gaytan)

Class Schedule: aaregistrar@andrews.edu (Ivonne Segui Medina)

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week. I am leading the week with different meal themes and need families to help fill in the gaps. If you are gifted in making or buying food, please see the list and let me know what you can contribute to. If we all pitch in, we can make it AMAZING. If you don’t have time and would like to financially support this week, please contact me for ways that you can do this. There is also a place in the SIGN UP GENIUS to make a donation there. 

Next Friday is the School Picnic, and we need a few parents willing to come and volunteer to put the lunch boxes together for the students. You can also sign up for this in SIGN UP GENIUS.

Thank you!

Kimberly Spare

aappi@andrews.edu

Final Exam/Assessment Schedule

& Graduation Practices

Tuesday - Thursday, May 19-21

"No early departures" policy applies.

Final exams/assessments start in a little more than two weeks. Please note when your exams are scheduled for and carefully prepare for them so that you can do well in each of your classes.

If there is a family emergency or some type of extenuating circumstances that necessitate a student missing any of their final exams, there is a form in the office to request an exception to the policy that will need to be filled out, signed by parent, administration, and teacher(s), and then turned in to the office prior to exam week. There is a $20 fee for each exam that needs to be rescheduled.

Students are required to attend even if you do not have an exam/ assessment for that time slot. However, if you have a study hall  (or band) during the first exam slot of the day, then you do not need to arrive until devotions. For students with band or a study hall for the first or last exam slot of the day (except Thursday), parents should contact us at AAattendance@andrews.edu or 269-471-3138 to excuse band/study hall. Contact Mrs. Meekma in the front office if you have any questions. Be sure to sign in at the front office if you arrive late or leave early. 

If you have a break in between two finals (for example, on Wednesday you have a 10:15 AM class final and no 11:10 AM class final [such as a study hall or CSA], then a 2:25 PM class final), then you must go to study hall. You may not leave campus. Everyone should attend Mizpah and Checkout on Thursday.

Please remember that students must stay in the classroom for the entire exam class period. You may not go "get books," "get a drink," etc. when you are done with your exam. Before the exam begins, please get books you may need to study from, get a drink, use the restroom, etc. so that you can stay in the classroom the entire time. We want the entire school to be quiet during exams so that they can be done as effectively as possible without distractions. Thank you!

Graduation Information

• Class Night: Thursday, May 21, 7:00 PM (arrive at 6:15), AA Chapel - 5 tickets per graduate; overflow in library.
• Consecration Service: Friday, May 22, 8:00 PM (arrive at 7:30), Village Adventist Church. Livestream: youtube.com/villagemediaministry
• Baccalaureate Service: Sabbath, May 23, 11:45 AM (line up at 11:30), PMC (Family, get there early for seating). Livestream: andrews.edu/livestream
• Faculty/Senior Vespers: Sabbath evening, May 23, 7:45 PM, AA. Bring yearbooks.
• Conferring of Diplomas Service: Sunday, May 24, 11:00 AM (arrive at 10:15), PMC. Livestream: andrews.edu/livestream

REMINDER: Cell Phone/Smart Watch Policy

To maintain a safe, effective teaching and learning environment for students, teachers, staff, and the community, Andrews Academy maintains a strict electronic devices policy. 

Any violation of this policy or otherwise inappropriate use of electronic devices in text messaging, recording, loudspeakers, or electronic photo capabilities will lead to immediate confiscation, and may lead to further disciplinary action. Students should arrange with the office to pick up their confiscated device(s). 
 

Exceptions to this policy will only be made based on medical necessities or other special needs that are recognized by school officials and/or officially documented by appropriate professionals.

Cell Phones & Smart Watches:
Cell phones and smart watches should be kept in a safe place—such as a locker (devices should be neither seen nor heard)—and are not to be used during the school day or during on-campus school activities during school hours. Students may use their cell phones during school hours only under the following limited circumstances: 

1. Students may check their cell phones for important messages at their lockers 5 minutes before their lunch period ends. Phone should then be redeposited in a safe storage area after checking messages.

2. With the express permission of a school teacher or administrator. Students may come to the main office to use their phone with permission.

Inappropriate Use of Electronic Devices: 
Students are not allowed to record any person, including students or teachers/staff, without the express permission of the person whose picture is being taken during the school day. Photos and video recordings are prohibited in locker rooms and bathrooms.

Trips and Tours: 
Electronic devices may be used for trips or tour events in which cell phone/electronic device use is deemed appropriate by the sponsor.

More Policy Reminders

The following are not allowed in the school without express permission, per the Sourcebook:

• Headphones and earbuds are not permitted to be used in the building (pg. 63).

• All head coverings, hats, hoodies, and jackets with a hood are not permitted to be worn inside the school building (pg. 65).

• Jewelry (rings, earrings, necklaces, etc.) is not permitted (pg. 65).

Please make sure that we have the phone number that you would like to have contacted. For school closings due to weather, we also send an email, put the announcement on our Facebook and Instagram pages, and alert local TV stations (WSBT, WNDU).

To receive a text notification instead of a call (text works best), please text “ALERT” to 22300. Please make sure that you have given us the number that you would like to be texted on as well. Email ginam@andrews.edu with any changes. Thank you!

Mrs. Meekma Accepts New Role at North American Division Evangelism Institute

If you’ve ever walked into the school’s front office, chances are the first person you’ve seen is Mrs. Gina Meekma, our administrative assistant. Whether she’s managing countless behind-the-scenes details or assisting multiple people at once, she consistently brings focus, care, and efficiency to everything she does. Even while handling a phone call or solving a problem, she makes time to help whoever is in front of her. For the past eight years, Mrs. Meekma has been an essential part of keeping AA running smoothly. Her knowledge of the school’s history, her attention to detail, and her willingness to work long hours—often into the evening—to ensure everything is in place have made a lasting impact on our school. Mrs. Meekma began her time here as Alumni Director before transitioning to the front office, where she has faithfully continued to support both roles. 

Though she wasn’t actively seeking a change, a new opportunity opened at the seminary on the campus of Andrews University. After prayerful consideration, she has accepted an administrative assistant position with the North American Division Evangelism Institute (NADEI). We are deeply grateful for her years of dedicated service. Students and parents are encouraged to stop by the office over the next few weeks to personally thank Mrs. Meekma for all she has done. Please also keep her in your prayers as she begins this new chapter at NADEI.

Attention Students: If you would like Friday's boxed lunch, those who are signed up for the lunch program must order it each week by Wednesday at 3:00 PM. The sign-up sheet will be at lunch or in the main office.

Online Menu: Go to https://andrews-university.cafebonappetit.com, under Cafe, click on School Lunch. Then click on View/Print Weekly Menu.

Parents: To sign your student up for the lunch program or add funds to your student's account, you may use this link to pay online (you will need your child's 9 digit AU ID number, including the zeros - a computer rather than a phone works best), or you may pay with cash or check at the Academy main office. The minimum payment for 20 lunches is $141.20, unless your student has been approved for reduced lunch.

School Communications

The E-Sanjo and other communications from the school, including classroom teacher communications, use the email address(es) that you (and your parents) have recorded in FACTS when you registered for Andrews Academy. We will also use students' AU email address. Some have been wondering why they are not receiving their school communications to a certain email. If you wish to have communications sent to a specific email address, please send the change to ginam@andrews.edu. Thank you!

Important Attendance Policy Updates

ATTENDANCE EVALUATION

Each student begins each semester with an attendance record of zero points. All absences and tardies (excused and unexcused) are assigned a weight of 1 point. The FACTS system includes separate attendance codes, allowing for clear categorization and reporting:

• A (Absence) 

• AE (Excused Absence)

• T (Tardy)

• TE (Excused Tardy)

The AS attendance code is assigned a weight of 0 and is used to mark school-related absences (e.g., for approved school trips or activities). These absences do not count against the student’s attendance record.

Students are allowed one long tour per semester.

PROCEDURES

Each school day, the student who was absent or tardy without excuse is notified of the record in FACTS, the student information system. Parents and students both receive email notifications. If the student believes the record to be incorrect, or has any question about the record, it is that student’s responsibility to contact the school office or attendance officer or submit to the school office a written excuse from a parent/guardian within 3 school days to remove those points.

Correction received after five days generally will not be accepted. In instances where a student is absent for several consecutive days, such as for an extended illness, two school days are allotted following the last absence to submit an excuse.

A student is responsible for all course work missed while absent with or without excuse.

Absence Policy
• After 5 unexcused absences per class: Student receives a warning email.
• After 8 unexcused absences per class: Student receives a demerit.
• After 10 unexcused absences per class: A meeting is scheduled with the student, parents, and attendance officer or another administrator.
• After 10 combined excused and unexcused absences per class: Student receives a warning email noting the risk of withdrawal from the class.
• After 15 combined excused and unexcused absences per class: A meeting with the registrar is required, and the student may be withdrawn from the class and lose all credit subject to that class, pending a review by the Student Affairs Committee.

Tardy Policy
• After 5 unexcused tardies per class: Student receives a warning email.
• After 10 unexcused tardies per class: Student receives a demerit.
• After 10 total excused and unexcused tardies per class: Student meets with the attendance officer or administrator.

Demerit Review Policy
Demerits related to attendance may be re-evaluated at the end of the semester if the student maintains no unexcused absences or tardies from the date the demerit was issued onward.

A student is eligible to hold an organizational office or leadership position as long as they maintain an attendance score below 7 unexcused absences. A student is also eligible to participate in co-curricular, overnight trips and tours if the attendance score is below 7 unexcused absences. A student is placed on citizenship probation when the attendance score reaches 7 unexcused absences. 

Major off-campus school activities include, but are not limited to, overnight trips and tours (see section on Student Citizenship-Citizenship Probation). When a student’s attendance score reaches 7 unexcused absences, the student is placed on citizenship probation. Further unexcused absences could lead to future in-school suspensions. Repeated attendance issues will be referred to the Student Affairs Committee to determine if the student should continue in the Academy and, if so, under what conditions. If these conditions are not successfully adhered to, the student’s enrollment may be discontinued at the time of infractions, at the end of a given semester, or at the end of the school year.

Students who miss five (5) consecutive school days due to illness must provide written documentation from a certified medical professional corroborating the necessity of that absence.

- From the Sourcebook (pg. 67-68)

For any attendance questions that you would like to ask by email, please direct them to AAattendance@andrews.edu.
 

Thank you!

Mrs. Dionne Robinson
Guidance Counselor/Attendance Officer
Andrews Academy
269-471-3453

More Attendance Information

• Pre-arranged Absences: Please be sure to fill out a pre-arranged absence card if you know in advance that you will be missing school due to a doctor/dentist/orthodontist appointment, trip, basketball tournament, driver's test, etc. These cards can be found in the main office or online. A parent's signature is required, then the office, and teacher(s) of the class(es) that you will miss.

• Class Schedule Adjustment (CSA) Requests: A CSA is available for students who have a study hall at the beginning or ending of the school day or will be working during a study hall during the school day. A CSA is required for students who leave the Academy to attend classes at Andrews University, who are going to work off campus, or who wish to begin the school day later or leave earlier on a regular basis. The CSA request form must be filled out and signed by everyone indicated on the form before the student stops attending their study hall. Students must adhere to CSA guidelines that are printed on the CSA application. Any violation may cause the CSA to be revoked. We will email students and parents when a CSA is approved.

• Other Absences: Parents, please call the main office (269-471-3138) or email AAattendance@andrews.edu if your student is going to be absent or tardy. These are the preferable methods. 

Please provide the reason why your child will not be attending school and how long you think they will be out.

Parents/Guardians are the only authorized individuals who can excuse a student's attendance. When emailing, parents must send correspondence from their email account to maintain the validity of the request. Please include the name of the student.

From the Sourcebook (pg. 68):

Students who miss five (5) consecutive school days due to illness or injury must provide written documentation from a certified medical professional corroborating the necessity of that absence.

For any attendance questions that you would like to ask by email, please direct these questions to AAattendance@andrews.edu.

Mrs. Dionne Robinson

Guidance Counselor

dionner@andrews.edu

269-471-3453

If you have not done so already, please purchase the Multi-Factor Authentication Security Key for all AA students right away. This key is essential for your child to access all Google platforms (AU email, Google Classroom, etc.), as well as secure documents from Andrews University and Andrews Academy. Each student needs their own security key, which cannot be used by anyone else.

Security Key Link

AA Uniforms Available from Lands' End

Please review the Sourcebook (pgs 65-66) for more information regarding uniforms. 

• Only approved logoed uniform wear is allowed.

• A solid-color, long sleeved undershirt may be worn under the AA short-sleeved polo (no writing should be visible on the undershirt).

• Only AA logoed jackets are allowed to be worn in the building.

• The PE uniform (t-shirt or sweatshirt, shorts or sweats) can only be worn during PE class.

• If a student is wearing an AA logoed jacket, they should also have an AA logoed shirt underneath.