THIS IS AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL

A Message for Parents and the Community

 

 

What is Regional Accreditation?

Regional accreditation means membership in one of the six regional, nationally recognized associations which accredit schools in the 50 states and in many countries. These associations are governed by officers selected from among member schools and school districts.

 

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is recognition of a high-quality and well-balanced educational program. Accreditation serves as the catalyst for school improvement. It generally helps to upgrade the quality of instruction and the school's program of study. Accredited schools meet Northwest Association of Accredited Schools' (NAAS) accreditation standards considered essential for quality education.

 

How did my School Become Accredited?

Accreditation is a four step process. It requires that schools renew themselves every six years by conducting a self-study, hosting a peer evaluation team to review and validate the self-study; completing a school improvement plan and engaging in continual school improvement. The process usually includes the completion of an Annual Report or other approved approaches to validating compliance with the standards.

 

Is Regional Accreditation New?

The Northwest Association was founded in 1917 and has grown to over 1800 member schools in the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. NAAS also accredits schools internationally and is the primary association for accrediting distance education and travel study schools.

 

What is the Value of Accreditation for this School?

One over-riding value of accreditation is the promotion of continuous school improvement which leads to greater student achievement. In addition, it affirms that objective conditions for quality and progress exist in the school. Accreditation attests to the potential for excellence and provides a method for the school to show how it meets approved regional accreditation standards and thereby stands as a beacon in the community.

To the Public:

• Regional accreditation assures transferability of credits among other regionally accredited schools.
• Citizens are assured of accountability and value for their tax dollars in light of the fact that their school is meeting regional standards.
• The community in general is more attractive to prospective incoming families and businesses when it can be reported that its schools are accredited.
• Accreditation assures the public that an ongoing process of evaluation will be a permanent feature of school improvement practices.
• Through local school boards, the public can receive information regularly on the extent to which their school is meeting standards.
• Accreditation provides general justification for public confidence in a member school. It does not affirm that the school is perfect in all aspects, but it does promise that the school has the resources, leadership, and vitality needed for ongoing improvement.
• Accreditation gives evidence to its public that the school is meeting expectations and fulfilling standards that in many cases transcend local and state requirements. Accreditation assures that colleges and universities will accept student credits.

 

To the School:

• Accreditation leads to the improvement of the school through its own efforts. To meet and exceed NAAS standards requires total school involvement and a serious commitment to educational renewal.
• Accreditation demands that the school undertake a periodic evaluation which is a stimulus for growth, improvement and directed change.
• Accreditation permits the school to be an active participant in the shaping of American education because the standards set by the association usually forecasts the direction schools will take in the future.
• Accreditation provides a school with a means of demonstrating accountability. It indicates that the school is judiciously utilizing the resources at its command.
• Parents know that staff development and instruction will relate to the school's mission and beliefs.
• Officials of schools and school districts can draw on a large reservoir of professional help to continually monitor and improve the education they provide students.
• The feed back from the state accreditation committee gives schools additional ideas and the opportunity to share ideas among school leaders.

 

To the Teachers:

• Teachers are assured that a comprehensive program of basic education is being offered.
• Teachers are assured that their colleagues are qualified in professional and subject matter areas.
• Faculty members know that instructional teaching conditions meet NAAS standards and continuous efforts are made to make these conditions even better.
• Teachers know that the instructional program is designed to meet the needs of students and supports the school's mission and beliefs.
• Teachers are involved periodically in a comprehensive evaluation of the school's program and in designing a plan for school improvement.
• Teachers are guaranteed a significant voice in conducting self-studies and evaluations of the school.

A Message for

What are the Accreditation Standards?