About UsThe American University Research Academy welcomes curious yet focused 9th and 10th grade students beginning in the Fall of 2023. We will add another grade level each year over the next 3 years and plan to be at full enrollment by Fall of 2026 which will also be the year we graduate our first class. A private, Christian faith-based high school, AURA believes in providing a top tier high school experience that strengthens character and values with respect to the various cultures in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
Located on the campus of the American University of Health Sciences (AUHS), AURA is an IB (International Baccalaureate) World candidate school which means that students will receive a rigorous, diverse education that will allow them to be more culturally aware while tuning their critical thinking skills. Our ever-changing global society requires that our students be able to communicate and compete in the best colleges and universities that the world offers. AURA has accepted the challenge and aims to prepare our students to meet and exceed the requirements by providing the opportunity to gain exposure to multiple languages and advanced core courses.
FAITH-BASED PHILOSOPHY American University Research Academy is sincerely interested in the total life of each student—his/her intellectual, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual development. AURA is a college-preparatory school that exists to teach students how to put their faith in God into practice. Therefore, AURA employees and volunteers are expected to perform their service for AURA in a manner that is purposeful and promotes AURA’s faith-based philosophy, Mission Statement, Statement of Beliefs and Vision Statement.
American University Research Academy is a family-oriented institution. Students accepted for admission to AURA are bound by the standards, regulations and requirements of the school at all school-related functions, whether on or off campus.
ALL PARENTS AND STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING AND ABIDING BY THE STANDARDS, REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE STUDENT- PARENT HANDBOOK. STATEMENT OF BELIEFS Teachers, administrators and parents share the responsibility for advancing the school's mission.
- Deut. 6:4-9 "Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
- Eccl. 4:12 “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
The ultimate goal of both the AURA faculty and students is to glorify God in all things. This goal fosters a desire to strive for excellence in academics, athletics, fine arts and to prepare for a life of Christian service.
- I Cor. 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
- I Cor. 6:20 “For you were bought at a price, therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.” 5
- Phil. 4:8-9 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."
Students need to demonstrate their understanding of essential knowledge and skills by actively involving themselves in solving problems and producing quality work.
- Col. 3:23 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not men.”
- II Tim. 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Students need to apply their learning in meaningful contexts.
- Mark 16:15-16 “And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
- Phil. 4:11 “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”
Students learn in different ways and should be provided with a variety of instructional approaches.
- I Cor. 12:17-20 “If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.”
- II Tim. 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Students learn only when they are actively engaged in the learning process.
- James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
- Matt. 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
Challenging expectations increases individual student performance.
- Eccl. 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, For this is the whole duty of man.”
- Rom. 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Students' self-esteem is enhanced by positive relationships and respect among students and staff.
- Rom. 12:3 “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”
- Gal. 6:25 “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.”
- Phil. 2:3-4 “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also the interests of others.”
A safe environment promotes student learning.
- I Thes. 4:11 “That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.”
- Col. 4:5-6 “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
- Matt. 11:28-29 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Students are learning to make appropriate decisions given a supportive and challenging learning environment among themselves and the school's staff.
- Eph. 5:15-16 “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
- Prov. 1:5 “A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a wise man of understanding will attain wise counsel.”
The commitment to continuous improvement is imperative if our school is to enable students to become confident, self-directed, lifelong learners.
- Col. 3:2 “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”
- Rev. 2:10 “....Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”