Gateway International Academy

Gateway International Academy (GIA)

Adventist education in Mongolia is in its nascent stages but has thus far been relatively successful at the elementary levels. To provide continuity for our young people and to encourage parents to enroll their students in a church school with excellent qualifications, the Mission needs to offer compelling reasons for students to stay in the Adventist education system. \r\n

\r\nOne of the best incentives the Mission can offer is to establish an international school so that students who complete their secondary education can receive a high school diploma from an accredited partner school in the United States. Gateway will partner with Griggs International Academy (formerly known as Home School International), a school with many years of experience partnering with other schools in Korea, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Gateway will cooperate with Griggs in developing a unique curriculum, including materials required by the Mongolian Ministry of Education and supplemental materials from Griggs so that students can complete all the necessary graduation requirements for both countries. Although the school will be affiliated with the Mongolian Mission; as a separate business organization, it will be easier to obtain Ministry of Education approval to function as an international academy. We will be careful not to break any rules about proselytizing, and avoid the appearance of religious compulsion, but we will still have abundant opportunities to spiritually influence all our students.\r\n

\r\nPriority admissions will be granted to students who finish their elementary education at Tusgal (the elementary school attached to the Ulaanbaatar Central Church). This will encourage parents to enroll their students in the church school from their early years, and will also give Gateway a steady stream of new students for the incoming 6th grade class (middle school) and 9th grade class (high school). Tusgal will need to increase their emphasis on English fluency so that students will finish elementary school with an English proficiency that will enable them to succeed at the secondary level.\r\n

\r\nGateway International Academy, as a private, international secondary school will target the upper middle-class population sector—those who have sufficient means to live comfortably and want the best possible education for their children, but are unable to afford the annual $18,000-$35,000 price tags of the three main international schools in Ulaanbaatar: International School of Ulaanbaatar, British School of Ulaanbaatar, and American School of Ulaanbaatar. With more reasonable tuition fees, GIA will attract many upper middle-class families. The tuition fees collected from these students will offset the significant “scholarships” offered to our Adventist students, who do not have the financial means to attend. And what a wonderful opportunity to witness to these non-Adventist students and their families!\r\n

\r\nThe school will operate as a partial boarding school (students board at the school 5 days/week and return home for the weekend). Those students who live too far to travel home on weekends would pay slightly higher boarding fees. Students who choose not to board may attend as local students as long as they are not late for classes. The school may offer bussing for a fee by contracting out transportation services, with 2 or 3 central pick-up locations in Ulaanbaatar.\r\n

\r\nTo attract families who can afford GIA’s tuition, the school needs to offer an exceptional program—something that cannot be found elsewhere—even at the costlier, elite, private schools. Since all the international schools offer strong academic programs, GIA must meet and exceed their standards while offering other, unique programs. The four areas that can differentiate GIA from these other private schools are: language, fitness, music, and vocational electives. \r\n

\r\nThe study of foreign language has always been incredibly important to land-locked Mongolians. Russian, and Chinese were commonly spoken during the Communist era, and English quickly became the language of choice after the fall of communism in 1991. English education is prevalent in all schools, but only a handful offer the full immersion effect of classes taught completely in English. Although Mongolian-specific classes will still be offered (to fulfill Mongolian national requirements) all other classes will be taught in English, with a US- accredited curriculum. Students who excel in these subjects may even train at the advanced level and qualify to take AP (Advanced Placement) exams for college credit. SAT, ACT, and TOEFL preparation classes will be offered to all GIA students to help prepare for college admissions testing.\r\n

\r\nBy tapping into the advantages of Monolithic Dome construction, particularly the excellent insulation and cost-efficient heating/cooling, we can offer excellent health and fitness programs year-round, including facilities for an indoor swimming and tennis courts. There are few if any tennis courts that are available to the public in Ulaanbaatar, and only one decent indoor court, so weather constraints have made it nearly impossible for tennis aficionados to play more than a couple months out of the year. The same is true for swimming. There are only a couple of public pools, and even these are not always functioning. GIA can offer group and private lessons, year-round access for GIA students, and even host public tournaments and events. Other physical activities (jogging, basketball, volleyball, badminton, etc.) can also be offered and encouraged, but they would not be exclusive to GIA. By supporting physical fitness, teaching Christian sportsmanship in a non-competitive environment, and offering access to fitness options that are not available elsewhere, GIA will truly stand out among private schools.\r\n

\r\nAdventists around the world are renowned for their musical skills. We will make this true in Mongolia as well, by offering a peerless music program, including: choirs, hand bells, band & orchestra, ukulele, piano, perhaps even organ; as well as traditional Mongolian instruments, such as the morin hor. GIA will host regular recitals/concerts in the campus auditorium, and students will also perform at venues around the city and at public functions to help promote the school and encourage Adventist name recognition.\r\n

\r\nBy offering classes in home economics (e.g. nutrition/cooking, sewing/design, etc), computer competency (e.g. desktop publishing, web design, etc), basic construction (e.g. carpentry, masonry, electric servicing, etc.), and horticulture; GIA will provide non-college-bound students with valuable, marketable skills, immediately upon graduating from secondary school. And even those students headed to college will benefit from learning the basic skills needed not just for survival, but for a happy home life.\r\n

\r\nIn concurrence with Ellen White’s counsel about the benefits of manual labor, all students will be required to put in 10 hours of voluntary Work Education (campus maintenance) each week in various departments (housekeeping, grounds maintenance, cafeteria, office/teaching assistants, at the GAC, GWC, or GRRC, etc.) They will gain valuable work experience while fostering a spirit of communal service and ownership on campus. Students may choose to work additional hours for pay, to help offset tuition or dormitory costs. \r\n

\r\nThe school will also work together with GAC (the agriculture center) to maintain a profitable agricultural program which will: 1) provide nourishing, inexpensive grains, fruits and vegetables for the school cafeteria; and 2) generate income for the school (with the sale of surplus cash crops). Students will learn about agriculture in class, then apply their new-found knowledge in the fields. They will also gain invaluable skills in business management.\r\n

\r\nAfter the (significant) initial investment for buildings, infrastructure, and operating subsidies, the goal is for GIA to become financially self-sufficient within 2-3 years. Once student enrollment reaches 95 (with at least half being full-paying students), the school will no longer need outside financial support. In fact, the school will be operating in surplus mode and will be able to set aside funds for maintenance and facility improvements. When student enrollment exceeds 120, the school will be making a substantial profit that can be channeled back to the Mission for other needs. The enrollment goal is 250 students within 4 years, which is not unreasonable. When student enrollment surpasses dorm occupancy, additional dormitories will be built.\r\n

\r\nGIA students will receive the best, well-rounded Bible-based education possible—encompassing the mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional components that will help them be successful here on earth, and prepare them for an eternity, learning at the feet of our Master Teacher—Jesus Christ.