THE WOODLANDS THE WOODLANDS
C H R I S T I AACADEMY N CHRISTIAN A C A D E M Y FEBRUARY 28, 2014
Accreditation Review Completed -- by Julie Ambler In order to validate the quality of our programs and verify that we are striving for optimal student learning, Woodlands Christian obtained and possesses dual accreditation from two of the nation’s premier accrediting agencies: AdvancEd (formerly the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or SACS) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). AdvancEd is a global leader in advancing excellence in education, accrediting 30,000 schools throughout the United States and 70 countries worldwide, representing 15 million students. ACSI is the largest association of Protestant Christian schools in the world, accrediting over 24,000 Christian schools in the United States and 100 other countries, representing five million students. To maintain accreditation, schools regularly submit updates and host an accreditation site visit every five years. Eight members of the joint AdvancEd/ACSI accreditation team have just completed their site visit of Woodlands Christian. Prior to arrival, the team spent five weeks reviewing our 123-page report with a massive amount of electronic supporting data. While they were here, they visited 46 classrooms, observed school operations, held five formal group meetings of board members, parents, teachers and students involving over 50 individuals, and engaged our school community in many impromptu conversations. I am pleased to report that the accreditation team has enthusiastically recommended renewal of our school’s accreditation. They have also given us very high scores in each of their six categories: purpose and direction, governance and leadership, teaching
and assessing for learning, early learning resources and support systems, resources and support systems, and using results for continuous improvement. The team highlighted many big ideas, overarching themes and powerful practices; the top five included:
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Disciplined adherence to the school’s mission and vision The board’s commitment to the Policy Governance© model of leadership Hiring personnel to provide support for identified improvement needs Hiring of highly qualified early childhood faculty Physical facilities including adherence to a strategic plan for the development of the master plan
The team also affirmed that The Woodlands Christian Academy community demonstrates an exceptional spirit of Christ-like hospitality and warmth. Additionally, they intend to recommend Woodlands Christian as a model school to others. I am so proud of our school and grateful to everyone who took time to share views and insights with the team. We will receive the final written report in 30 days and official renewal notification in June. We look forward to utilizing all of the team’s input as we continually strive to improve our school and offer our students an exceptional Christ-centered education – spiritually, academically, physically and socially.
5800 ACADEMY WAY . THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS 77384 . 936-273-2555 . WWW.TWCA.NET