Life at PFA
Life at PFA provides a unique experience, unlike conventional schooling. Students benefit from outstanding education in a thriving community of like-minded peers, passionate teachers, and autonomy based on Christian principles. Students who attend PFA are more prepared for the workload and self-discipline required in college increasing their chances of success.
Social Events
The Academy calendar is filled with a variety of activities and social events ranging from trips to the mall, amusement parks, botanical gardens, bowling, skating, and seeing professional basketball games. Our formal affairs include the Christmas and Sweetheart Banquets alternately planned by the dormitories as well as the Junior-Senior Banquet planned by the junior class.
Leadership Development
The Academy is committed to broadening each student’s horizons as they develop into mature, independent young adults. Our mission is to provide a variety of programs and activities that will encourage our students to assume various leadership roles and positions as they serve as role models to their peers and cooperate with the Administration in the governance of the Academy.
Community Service
The purpose of Community Service is to nurture a Christ-like spirit through unselfish acts of kindness, thereby heightening each student’s moral and Christian obligation to help the less fortunate. Pine Forge Academy students are required to perform a minimum of 25 hours of community service each year they are enrolled at the Academy.
Spiritual Life
Under the leadership of the school chaplain, the Office of Spiritual Life provides weekly services structured to meet the spiritual needs of our students. In addition to the events coordinated by the Office of Spiritual Life, each dormitory also provides daily worship for the students.
Student Organizations
Poetry
Pine Forge Dance Club
Chess
Bowling
Art
Debate
Robotics
Dormitory Club
SPARKS (School Newspaper)
FLAME (School Yearbook)
National Honors Society
United Student Movement
Cheerleading
Stomptricity (Step Team)
Extracurriculars
We are performers and artists. We understand there are many avenues to expression, including the performing arts. Our curriculum includes our Creative Arts Drama Ministry and our world-renowned Pine Forge Academy Choir.
We are athletes. Interscholastic sports is a key component of our diverse extracurricular program. An active member of the Penn-Jersey Athletic League, we offer soccer, basketball, tennis, track, volleyball and golf.
We are engineers. Fostering creative thinking and innovation in each student, Pine Forge Academy offers a robust Robotics and Mathematics curriculum and STEM Club.
Learn More About Our Community...
Explore PFA
PFA is a co-educational (that means we have male and female students), Christian high school for boarding and day students. We are owned and operated by the Alleghany East Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. We are part of a global network of Seventh-day Adventist schools, which includes nearly 150 countries, 85,000 teachers, 1.5 million students, and 7,500 schools around the world. You can find out more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church and commitment to education here. You can learn more about us here.
PFA is located at 361 Pine Forge Road in Pine Forge, Pennsylvania 19548. Its beautiful campus resides on a 50-acre property purchased for $46,000 from the family of Thomas Rutter, an abolitionist iron miller in 1946. The facility includes two academic buildings, Wagner and North Halls; two dormitories, Kimbrough (female) and Handy (male) Halls; and a STEM Laboratory that is next door to the gymnasium.
Yes! We are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. It is also accredited by the Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventists Schools, Colleges, and Universities.
Find out how much it would cost for your student to attend here.
Students who complete their scholastic career at PFA have successfully matriculated through a rigorous program of study. They have enjoyed a holistic academic experience that has included emphasis on their mental, physical, and spiritual development. Graduates of PFA are prepared to leaders ready to go forth and service God and mankind; ready to make their mark on the world! PFA is proud that:
- Students enjoy a 1:8 teacher-student ratio.
- 100% of its 12th graders graduate.
- 95% of the student body pass ALL classes
- 80% of seniors graduate with a college preparatory diploma
- 100% of PFA graduates are accepted into one or more colleges
- It is a member of the College Board and ACT, Inc.
PFA offers advanced courses in Mathematics, Science, Language Arts, History, Fine Arts, and Foreign Language (i.e., Spanish). Extracurricular activities include Clubs (i.e., Chess, Debate, Poetry, Directing, Art, and Coding), Accounting Minority Introduction to Health Sciences (MITHS)—an articulation agreement with Loma Linda University, Physics, Website Design, Advanced Placement Courses, and Prep Classes for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT. Find out more about academics at PFA here.
- Rear Admiral Barry C. Black (Ret.), 62nd Chaplain of the United States Senate, ’66
- Clifton D. Davis, actor, singer, songwriter, minister, and author, ‘63
- John F. Street, 97th Mayor of the City of Philadelphia
- Joel Kibble
- John Stoddart
We offer seasonal athletic programs in cross-country, track & field (co-ed), soccer (co-ed), varsity & junior varsity basketball (male and female), volleyball, and badminton. We are members of the Penn/Jersey League. Learn more about our athletics program here.
Fish and small reptiles may be welcomed. Hamsters, rabbits, and guinea pigs have been known to grace the campus. However, students need to get permission before coming to campus. The Academy has hosted Mental Health Days where animals such as goats, horses, dogs, and cats were special visitors for the day—used to encourage and uplift the students.
Students at PFA get involved in all sorts of activities. Most of our students enjoy music and sports programs. Some students enjoy basketball. Many of our students are also involved with student government or community service projects. Students at PFA tend to be very active and talented, so there is no shortage of athletes, musicians, artists, and leaders on campus.
Students attend and sometimes host spiritual activities such as “Singspiration”, Weeks of Prayer, Bible Study sessions, the “Praise Café”, weekly Prayer Meeting, the “Friday Night Forum”, and weekly recognition of the 7th day Sabbath that includes a variety of worship services on Saturdays.
PFA also enjoys special traditions like Senior Banquets and Presentations, Bowling, Ice Skating, Game Nights, Mission Trips, fall and spring dorm weekends, are among other campus activities.
Our cafe is 100% vegetarian, but the food served will be recognizable to anyone. It’s not strange; it’s very fresh and tasty!
The parents of students at PFA support the school through the Parents’ Association (PFAPA) a volunteer organization comprised of parents or guardians of current PFA students. The purpose of the PFAPA is to promote PFA and support its principal, staff, and Board of Trustees to bridge the gap between home and school. The PFAPA promotes specific projects and coordinates activities for the benefit of the Academy and its students.
Learn more about our parents here.