Authority and Governance Structure

Seventh-day Adventist education operates within a collaborative governance structure that includes the North American Division, Union Conferences, Local Conferences, and local school boards.

North American Division Office of Education

The North American Division Office of Education:

• Establishes educational policies and standards
• Provides leadership and guidance for schools
• Oversees accreditation processes and initiatives
• Supports consistency across the Division
• Facilitates data collection and reporting expectations

Union Conferences

Union Conferences:

• Provide regional educational leadership and support
• Coordinate professional development and training
• Assist with implementation of NAD initiatives
• Support accreditation and operational consistency

Local Conferences

Local Conferences:

• Oversee school governance and operations
• Support administrators and registrars
• Monitor reporting
• Assist schools with policy implementation

Local Schools

Schools are responsible for:

• Day-to-day implementation of policies and procedures
• Maintaining accurate student records
• Ensuring secure data management
• Supporting academic integrity and reporting 
• Communicating effectively with students and families

This shared governance model helps ensure both accountability and flexibility while supporting the mission of Adventist education.