Weimar Institute
Encyclopedia
Weimar Center of Health & Education, historically known as Weimar Institute, is a private educational facility in Weimar, California
, which operates an unaccredited high school
and college
. It highlights traditional Seventh-day Adventist principles of health and education, especially as espoused by early Seventh-day Adventist founder Ellen G. White
, who wrote extensively on health and education. Although founded by Adventists, it has never been legally affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church
.
Although it is spelled like a German
word, the name "Weimar" is derived from the name of a Native American
chief named "Weemah" and is pronounced like "Weemer" (IPA wiːmər).
sanatorium. It was later used for the care of the mentally ill. In 1957, it changed focus to the Weimar Chest Center, treating other pulmonary diseases. It was then renamed the Weimar Medical Center in 1960 and in 1966 Weimar Medical Center developed into a general community hospital. The hospital was closed 1972 due to financial cuts by the state and counties. Following the closure, the property changed hands several times and in 1975 it reopened as Hope Village, a temporary relocation center for Vietnamese
refugees.
In May 1977, a group of Seventh-day Adventists purchased the 457 acres (1.8 km²). In 1978 it was registered as the nonprofit organization, Weimar Institute of Health & Education, and Weimar College was opened. In 1981 Weimar Academy was established as a private four-year Christian boarding high school
.
In early 2008, Weimar Institute announced that it would close Weimar College at the end of June 2008. Later that year, however, the institute merged with Amazing Facts
and a combined board was established to oversee the operations of Weimar Institute and its divisions. An announcement stated:
The NEWSTART Program is part of Weimar. NEWSTART stands for Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunlight, Temperance, Air, Rest and Trust in Divine Power.
. The college does have approval from the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
, but this is not the same as accreditation
. Although the College is not accredited, the Weimar College Academic Bulletin describes an affiliation with Griggs University
, a Seventh-day Adventist distance learning institution accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council
. According to the Adventist Review, credit earned by Griggs courses at Weimar appear on Griggs University transcripts. Weimar College reports that it is actively pursuing accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
. The college has a state-approved pre-nursing program and plans to start an associate's degree
program in nursing
in 2012, with state approval expected.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, which operates an unaccredited high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
and college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
. It highlights traditional Seventh-day Adventist principles of health and education, especially as espoused by early Seventh-day Adventist founder Ellen G. White
Ellen G. White
Ellen Gould White was a prolific author and an American Christian pioneer. She, along with other Sabbatarian Adventist leaders, such as Joseph Bates and her husband James White, would form what is now known as the Seventh-day Adventist Church.Ellen White reported to her fellow believers her...
, who wrote extensively on health and education. Although founded by Adventists, it has never been legally affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
.
Although it is spelled like a German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
word, the name "Weimar" is derived from the name of a Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
chief named "Weemah" and is pronounced like "Weemer" (IPA wiːmər).
History
In 1919, Weimar Institute opened as a small tuberculosisTuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
sanatorium. It was later used for the care of the mentally ill. In 1957, it changed focus to the Weimar Chest Center, treating other pulmonary diseases. It was then renamed the Weimar Medical Center in 1960 and in 1966 Weimar Medical Center developed into a general community hospital. The hospital was closed 1972 due to financial cuts by the state and counties. Following the closure, the property changed hands several times and in 1975 it reopened as Hope Village, a temporary relocation center for Vietnamese
Vietnamese people
The Vietnamese people are an ethnic group originating from present-day northern Vietnam and southern China. They are the majority ethnic group of Vietnam, comprising 86% of the population as of the 1999 census, and are officially known as Kinh to distinguish them from other ethnic groups in Vietnam...
refugees.
In May 1977, a group of Seventh-day Adventists purchased the 457 acres (1.8 km²). In 1978 it was registered as the nonprofit organization, Weimar Institute of Health & Education, and Weimar College was opened. In 1981 Weimar Academy was established as a private four-year Christian boarding high school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
.
In early 2008, Weimar Institute announced that it would close Weimar College at the end of June 2008. Later that year, however, the institute merged with Amazing Facts
Amazing Facts
Amazing Facts is an American Christian ministry. Beginning as a single radio program in 1966 it has expanded into television programming, training, health, prophecy seminars and online Bible study ministries. Its theology is largely that of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.-History:Amazing Facts...
and a combined board was established to oversee the operations of Weimar Institute and its divisions. An announcement stated:
- "After two years of heartfelt prayer, study, discussion, and observing the leading of the Lord, Amazing Facts and Weimar Institute voted on April 6, 2008 to proceed with a bold new joint venture. Their respective boards approved an agreement whereby the operations of Weimar Institute will be administered by Amazing Facts with a new board of directors providing direction to both ministries."
The NEWSTART Program is part of Weimar. NEWSTART stands for Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunlight, Temperance, Air, Rest and Trust in Divine Power.
Weimar College
In 1978, Weimar College opened on the semester system, offering degrees and certificates in Religion and various Personal Ministries. Weimar College is not accreditedEducational accreditation
Educational accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of educational institutions or programs are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met...
. The college does have approval from the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
The California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education is a unit of the California Department of Consumer Affairs charged with regulation of private postsecondary educational institutions operating in the state of California...
, but this is not the same as accreditation
Higher education accreditation in the United States
Higher education accreditation in the United States has long been established as a peer review process coordinated by accreditation commissions and member institutions. The federal government began to play a limited role in Higher education accreditation in 1952 with reauthorization of the GI Bill...
. Although the College is not accredited, the Weimar College Academic Bulletin describes an affiliation with Griggs University
Griggs University
Griggs University, formerly Home Study International, is a Seventh-day Adventist distance learning university recently based on the campus of Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan . Founded in 1909 as The Fireside Correspondence School and later known as the Home Study Institute, it began...
, a Seventh-day Adventist distance learning institution accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council
Distance Education and Training Council
The Distance Education and Training Council is a non-profit national educational accreditation agency in the United States specializing in the accreditation of distance education institutions.- History :...
. According to the Adventist Review, credit earned by Griggs courses at Weimar appear on Griggs University transcripts. Weimar College reports that it is actively pursuing accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin. The Western Association of...
. The college has a state-approved pre-nursing program and plans to start an associate's degree
Associate's degree
An associate degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, and bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years...
program in nursing
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
in 2012, with state approval expected.