The Napa Valley has become a haven for Seventh-day Adventist education. There are five schools in the valley; Napa Christian in Napa; Foothills Elementary in St. Helena, and Pacific Union Elementary, Prep and College in Angwin. The presence of these schools, and the St. Helena Hospital, have contributed to the sizable community of Adventists in the community.

But why Napa Valley?

According to Gary Shearer, Adventist studies librarian at PUC, PUC moved from Healdsburg to Angwin in 1909. The location was ideal because of its natural feel, and because of the close proximity to the St. Helena home of one of the co-founders of the Seventh-day Adventists, Ellen G. White. The church's philosophy on Christian education is based on the scriptures and the writings of White. White's home is now on the National Historical Registry.

According to the Adventist education Web site, the mission of Adventist education is to "provide opportunity to for students to accept Christ as their savior, to allow the Holy Spirit to transform their lives, and to fulfill the commission of preaching the gospel to all the world."

Many of the Adventist schools in the Napa Valley have a long history. Foothills Elementary has been around since 1902, and Pacific Union Elementary started nearly 100 years ago. Pacific Union Preparatory School, serving eighth-grade through 12th-grade students, opened its doors in 1929. Napa Christian opened in the 1950s.