School Administrator Receives Award

Marilynn Peeke, the principal of Atholton Adventist Academy, has been chosen for the Columbia Union Outstanding Administrator Award for the 2009-2010 school year. Peeke was selected from a group of almost 90 administrators by the Office of Education of Columbia Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The award will be presented to Peeke in a brief ceremony at the school on May 13, 2010. 

Peeke has been the principal of Atholton Adventist Academy (AAA) since 2000. Under Peek’s direction, the school has grown from a K-8th grade program with about 90 students, to a PreK-10th grade academy with an enrollment of 180. Throughout her years at AAA, Peeke’s focus has been academics. AAA students consistently score above the national norm on standardized tests, and there is a direct correlation between the number of years a student is at AAA and the difference from the national norm. Peeke also introduced English as a Second Language, an enhanced music curriculum, and a growing sports program. AAA is known for quality students in both academics and behavior, because it encourages a personal relationship with God. This type of relationship brings respect, integrity, and kindness into student’s characters. During Peeke’s administration a large addition was added to the physical plant to accommodate the additional students and activities.

Atholton Adventist Academy is a Christian school started in 1958 by parents and members of the Atholton Seventh-day Adventist Church who wanted to provide an excellent Christian education for their children. Because of AAA’s reputation of the “Atholton advantage,” the enrollment has grown beyond the membership of the host congregation and now includes many students from the larger community.

The Office of Education of Columbia Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventist provides school accreditation, teacher certification, and a variety of other services to elementary and secondary schools affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist denomination in a seven-state region (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia). Currently there are 57 K-8th grade schools, 21 K-10th grade schools, and nine 9th-12th grade schools with about 6000 students in the system.

This is the first year the Columbia Union Outstanding Administrator Award has been given. To qualify an individual must have a minimum of five years of experience as an administrator, demonstrate the ability to cast a vision for the school, build and enhance the curriculum of the school, integrate the school into its constituency and community, and be exceptionally effective. In addition to those professional skills, an administrator must be a team player, have keen insights, outstanding organizational skills, and effectively represent the school in any setting.

There is a lengthy process leading to this award. It starts by being nominated by a state organization of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. A series of formal and informal visits are conducted by officials of the Columbia Union Conference Office of Education. The extensive vetting process includes both formal and informal interviews of the nominee. The nominee must also provide written responses to a series of questions.