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Welcome
Principal
Delmar Wolfkill
Central Valley Christian Academy Sonora (CVCA Sonora) is located in Sonora, California, on the campus of Mother Lode Adventist Junior Academy. In order to expand its high school offerings, it partnered with Central Valley Christian Academy (CVCA) to become an extension campus under their WASC accreditation. We currently offer grades 9-11, expanding to 12th grade in 2026-2027.
We aim to provide students with opportunities to grow academically, develop strong character, and embrace community values. Our curriculum encourages students to explore their passions, step outside their comfort zones, and give back to others through service projects. By fostering empathy, compassion, and a commitment to making a difference, we prepare students to become future leaders who positively impact the world.
Academic Programs
Our diverse range of programs at CVCA Sonora enriches students’ academic and extracurricular experiences through hands-on learning and meaningful opportunities for personal growth. Students participate in international mission trips, serving others while exploring different cultures, and engage in a robust music program that offers a four-year high school curriculum in both choir and band, featuring multiple public performances and participation in an intensive multi-school music festival at Monterey Bay Academy. Students may also develop leadership and outdoor skills through our backpacking program or explore the natural world through biology field trips focused on ecological conservation. Practical, real-world skills are further cultivated in our Wood Shop and Auto Mechanics classes, where students gain valuable experience in carpentry and vehicle maintenance.
Athletic Programs
CVCA Sonora offers a variety of athletic programs, including basketball, volleyball, track and field, flag football, and a comprehensive ski program. These activities promote physical fitness, teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship while integrating Christian values. Through collaboration with local and state-wide schools, students participate in tournaments and events, providing competitive opportunities. The athletic programs at CVCA Sonora are designed to enhance students' overall well-being, foster friendships, and teach essential life skills such as time management and discipline.
Sonora Staff & Faculty
MISSION
The mission of CVCA Sonora is to provide an education of highest quality within a Christ-centered environment. It is dedicated to developing the whole person by fostering growth in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and by promoting academic excellence, emotional stability, physical well-being, and social responsibility.
Expected School-Wide
Learning Results (ESLR's)
C
HRISTLIKE
V
ALUES
C
ITIZENSHIP
A
CADEMICS
MLAJA & CVCA Sonora
A Short History
The first organized SDA Church in Sonora began in 1921. The desire for a church school was finally realized in 1952 when it began in the basement of the recently built Hope Lane Church. The stories included a first grader who road his horse to school with his lunch box tied to his saddle.
After several doctors arrived during the 1950s with an interest in starting a hospital, the importance of an Adventist Christian school was also apparent because of their own children. In 1957, these doctors started a hospital on Forest Road with enough land for a church and school. Meanwhile, the school on Hope Lane was bursting at the seams with 33 children. Three eighth graders graduated for the first time in 1961.
In the 1960s, construction began on the church and school with community participation. Church members applied their varied skills to the new building project. Even school children helped. Two physicians, who had earned their way through college by painting, were heads of the painting crew. By 1964, the school had built two classrooms.
The Adventist school grew from elementary only to off 9th and 10th grades in the 1965-66 school year. It became known as Mother Lode Adventist Junior Academy (MLAJA) during the 1972-73 school year. There are many inspiring stories that include the lives of very dedicated teachers during all those years. By 1996, interest was growing in expanding to a full academy. During the 2008-09 school year, MLAJA became an affiliate with Central Valley Christian Academy (CVCA) as one of the conference requirements. The elementary school continues to thrive and shares the high school campus on Forest Road in Sonora. The high school grades are now considered an extension of CVCA located in Ceres, and the Sonora campus is realizing the dream of expansion to a full high school program in 2026-2027. The school is open to students of all backgrounds and faiths desiring a private Christian education in grades K-12.
Supporting Churches
MLAJA and CVCA Sonora is supported by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which contributes to the school’s spiritual and educational mission. The following churches are our valued constituent partners:
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Discover Life Seventh-day Adventist Church
This church plays an integral role in the life of our school, supporting us through prayer, financial contributions, and active participation in our school community.