K-8 WASC Accreditation Report

Posted February 18th, 2009 in K-8 Comments Off

On February 12 Western Christian received an official letter from WASC granting the K-8 program accreditation.  The visit with accreditation commitee in January was very positive.  The following is the feedback the commitee left:

WASC Visit, 1/21/09

Visiting Committee comments:

The school has coordinated their mission, philosophy, objectives and student learning goals so that they are aligned which allows for ease of assessment. The school has made significant progress in the measurement of their student learning goals.

There is a clear understanding regarding the role, responsibility and function of the Board versus the school administration.  It is very clear that the Board is supportive, engaged and shares the long-term vision of the school.  The Board has exercised great vision in the purchase of a new high school facility and a capital campaign of $7,000,000 all within the last two years. 

It appears that all the necessary policies and procedures are in place and communication of the mission and purpose of this school is shared and communicated with all stakeholders.

The school has experienced significant transition in administrative leadership within the last two years with a new superintendent who has been highly regarded and highly successful in other leadership positions.  The leadership team appears to be very unified and works collaboratively sharing the vision of school improvement.  The school leadership expresses a commitment to student learning and has initiated efforts to improve instruction and increase faculty collaboration.

The school enjoys a stable and qualified teaching staff that is highly praised by parents and students.  Successful levels of learning indicate that teachers are providing good instruction. A small teacher to student ratio results in high student achievement and the opportunity for personal attention and support. 

It should be noted that the faculty was highly praised by the superintendent for their collegiality and their willingness to share ideas with each other and their participation in the change process.

Parents and students all comment on the family atmosphere, strong personal support and nurturing environment.  One parent said, “As soon as you walk on campus, you feel at home.”  The unique park-like environment and classic buildings with many large trees seem to provide a feeling of reliving our historic past.

Initiating the Renweb program has started the school toward improvement with on-line grade reporting and internet connections to families.  With two parent/teacher conferences per year and report card information, parents are kept informed regarding student progress.  

The visiting committee was impressed with the level of measurement of student learning goals that is currently in place.  

It appears that all the processes are in place to govern future school improvement including input from all stakeholders, collaboration, school action plan and a commitment to making it work.  It is very evident that the current school leadership is extremely goal driven and committed to school improvement.

The school recognized the need to transition from teacher directed curriculum to a school-wide integrated curriculum.  The school has taken seven years to create carefully developed curriculum documents to align learning goals and to create a plan for the future. The teachers now have clearly defined learning goals and assessment procedures to measure student learning.

The school has made significant progress in the past two years in the analysis of student achievement data and is encouraged to continue to develop formative assessments which will improve the instructional program.

Teachers are qualified and are undergoing regular professional development activities.  Students and parents both express a high degree of satisfaction with the overall quality of instruction. Annual field trips are highly developed and motivating to students as a part of the learning program.

The new superintendent has initiated new models for the analysis of learning data.  The teachers have just started the collaborative process to discuss assessment results.  This is a work in progress.

It is clear that assessment has been used to make some curricular changes. This indicates that they are using learning data to make school improvement changes.  

It is clear that the school provides a strong family atmosphere where student feel supported, nurtured and loved.  Student commented that they loved their teachers and knew that their teachers cared for them.  Parents also highly praised the teachers and their connection to the students. 

The extracurricular opportunities are well received and have a high level of participation.  They have recently expanded their athletic program to increase the number of students that can participate.  Parents have said that prior students are performing well at the high school level.  

The school has transitioned from an organization model to a committee volunteer model for parental participation.  It appears to be working extremely well.  Parents are excited about the activities that are provided and their support the learning environment with their participation including Teacher Appreciation Week, fun raising events and Family Fun Nights.  There is a strong bond between the school and the parents.

The school has a very organized financial process.  It is unusual that thirty percent of net income is set aside in reserves.  This has allowed the school to fund facility improvements and other learning improvements. Their budget was very detailed and well laid out.  The Board holds the school accountable through monthly meeting and an annual audit is conducted each year.

The school has very ambitious goals and a vision for school growth and improvement.  They have just purchased a high school site that was for sale approximately four miles east of the school. They have recently completed a Master Plan for the development of their current property and have started a capital campaign.

School wide Areas of Strength

1. A qualified, experienced faculty works collaborative and creates a nurturing and positive learning environment.

2. The strong relationship between the parents and the school as evidenced by volunteer support and participation.

3. The new superintendent has brought a new focus on curricular design, professional development, assessment and commitment to the school improvement process.

4. The Board is actively engaged, visionary and supportive of school improvement goals.

5. The recent efforts to expand the extracurricular programs which provided more opportunity for student participation.

6. The teachers are commended for their diligent work in creating a curricular design that aligns learning goals and creates a map for classroom instruction.

7. The beautiful, classical campus creates a strong sense of community that promotes the schools academic and spiritual goals.

8. The spiritual emphasis on campus, especially in the chapel program, is well received and has excited students to reach spiritual goals and service opportunities.   

9. The level of measurement of school wide goals (ESLRs) is more fully developed at this stage of the accreditation process than usual at their stage of development.

10. Parents love the education their children are receiving and the loving environment that is provided for their students.

 

Critical Areas for Follow-up

1. To further develop teacher interaction and collaboration regarding analysis of learning data and improvement of the instructional process.

2. To implement the Master Plan that will provide the needed facilities which will enhance the educational program.