Christmas break is usually a time of welcome surprises. But Christmas 2025 brought an unwelcome surprise to the faculty and staff of Oklahoma’s Tulsa Adventist Academy (TAA). One unexpected phone call changed the trajectory of the school, forcing a season of growth to occur more quickly than had been planned.
For decades, TAA has operated without senior academy status, an accreditation designation from the North American Division (NAD) that authorizes schools to offer coursework and grant diplomas through grade 12.
During the 1980s, the school gave up that designation to save money. Despite this, upperclassmen in the Tulsa area were still able to receive an Adventist education through a satellite program provided by Arkansas’ Ozark Adventist Academy’s (OAA). Through OAA’s satellite school, TAA’s upperclassmen technically attended “Ozark Adventist Academy, Tulsa Oklahoma Campus.” Ozark provided accreditation oversight and approved coursework and diplomas.
But there were drawbacks. Courses were based on Arkansas requirements, and Ozark issued diplomas. This created several challenges for Oklahoma residents. State requirements did not always align, resulting in lost credits for transfer students. Graduating with an Arkansas diploma also limited scholarship opportunities available to Oklahoma residents.
Despite those limitations, operating as a satellite school enabled TAA to provide Adventist education to many students over the years, including senior Eden Arroyo-Watson.
“Our school has a very family-like atmosphere,” says Arroyo-Watson, who is both Student Association president and senior class president. “You are able to get personal attention with your schoolwork from teachers, and I have always appreciated that.”
A Five-Year Plan
Three years ago, when Larry Seery first became principal, school leaders began considering what the future might look like if TAA once again held senior academy status. Seery brought together a group of stakeholders to develop a five-year plan for TAA’s future. Among the goals they identified was attaining senior academy status.
Some board members and constituents initially hesitated to make the change. There were significant costs involved as the designation requires funding for two additional full-time positions. After much prayer and consideration, leaders felt the time was right to try again.
Seery and his team decided they wouldn’t rush things, but would do their research and homework before taking steps forward. They carefully studied what would be required. They spoke with leaders from senior academies across the division, reviewed sample applications, and researched the process. Their intention was to move forward slowly and steadily.
A year ago, Oklahoma Conference Director of Education Tara Bailey told Seery, “I think you could become a senior academy next year!”
Seery and the board felt confident it wouldn’t happen—at least, that’s what they thought until after the Christmas phone call.
Fast-Tracked
When Ozark informed TAA that it would no longer oversee the satellite school program for the upcoming school year, Seery first explored finding another school to provide endorsement. The doors did not open. Instead, TAA moved from planning to implementation, accelerating its five-year plan to become a senior academy by two years.
“I called Mike Furr, director of secondary education at the Southwestern Union Conference,” says Seery. “I said, ‘When is the latest that we can pull this off to be a senior academy next year?’” The answer was simple: complete everything as soon as possible.
TAA immediately began the process. Constituency and board meetings took place at every level, from the local school board to the NAD, to ensure the school met all requirements. The NAD also sent a visiting committee to evaluate the school.
“There are a lot of pieces,” says Seery.
At every step, committees voted in favor of the change, applications moved efficiently through the approval process, and preparations for new positions moved forward smoothly. As required, the school is bringing on two more full-time employees: a chaplain/music teacher and a director of student services. One position was funded locally, while the Oklahoma Conference provided support for the other.
Arroyo-Watson is particularly eager to see the difference having a full-time chaplain on campus will make for the students. “We already connect with pastors who come for a few hours to teach Bible classes,” she says, “so I definitely believe we will see strong connections with the chaplain.”
Through hard work and trust in God’s timing, TAA has now been approved as a senior academy by the NAD Education Department and is the only school in Oklahoma recognized with that status. Arroyo-Watson will be among the first students since the 1980s to officially graduate from TAA.
As the new school year begins, new opportunities for TAA students are just getting started.
“The community is behind the school, and they love Adventist education,” says Seery. “They are so supportive. They want to continue to grow and advance our school, so this is simply the next step in order to be able to do that. I feel so blessed to be able to be a small part of the process of continuing to further Adventist education.”
