ABOUT US

History of SLA

South Lancaster Academy opened its doors as an academy on April 19, 1882. Advanced work was carried for several years in theology, teacher training, and business before its standing as a junior college was formally recognized in 1918. At that time, the name Lancaster Junior College was adopted. By 1922, a four-year theological course was being offered and degree-granting powers were conferred by the Massachusetts legislature. At the same time, the name was changed to Atlantic Union College. In 1922, the academy and college became separate institutions with the academy having its own board of trustees and faculty. Since 1967, SLA has been a twelve grade school. SLA maintains the historic ideals of Seventh-day Adventists (SDA) on matters of morals, dress, and conduct as its reason for existence. SLA is operated by the SDA churches of College, Lancaster Portuguese, Leominster, Sterling and Village. The administrations of SLA and Browning Elementary were combined in the 1980’s. Preschool & Pre-K and After-School Care were added programs to the K-12 school in the interim time. In 2009, all preschool to twelfth grade programs came to be known under the name of South Lancaster Academy.