The following has been implemented as a result of our Middle States accreditation process:

●  A Middle States Tab on the school website to keep stakeholders informed of the continuing Middle States Process. 

● School Advisory Board new members added and approved by Cardinal Tobin.

● Administration provided more  formal opportunities for the spiritual development of the faculty and staff members as spiritual leaders in the school community by hosting a full day school-wide retreat in October 2017.

● Administration immediately oversaw the constructing a barrier along the back of the cottages. 

● New water fountains were installed in the summer of 2017.

● Updated security cameras installed prior to 2017 with grant monies

● The Advisory Board meets individually in sub-committees prior to quarterly meetings to be prepared to share a report during these meetings with administration

● AMBS developed a formal technology plan. 

● A schoolwide Retreat was held October 13, 2017 

● Opportunities are offered for students to apply their learning beyond the classroom (e.g., community service projects, internships, job shadowing). 

● A new Wi-Fi network was installed in Summer 2018 for quicker student access and to support the 1-1 technology program. 

● Intensifying  efforts to create interest in the students to serve in the Church with Altar server workshops Sept. 2017 and Cantor workshops Sept. 2017 with Mrs. Carroll and Fr. John. 

  Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools
3624 Market Street, 2 West | Philadelphia, PA 19104-2614
Phone: 267-284-5000 | www.msa-cess.org 

FORTY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS EARN TOP RECOGNITION FROM
MIDDLE STATES ASSOCIATION
 
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) announced today that 40 Catholic schools in 11 dioceses and archdioceses earned accreditation or reaccreditation, the gold standard for measuring and advancing school improvement.
 
“I congratulate our newly accredited and reaccredited Catholic schools for their ongoing commitment to achieving excellence,” said Henry G. Cram, Ed.D., president of the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools. “The Middle States accreditation process is a proven and cost-effective approach to help all schools and students grow and improve.” 
 
MSA-CESS accredits preK-12 public, private, parochial, and charter schools. In addition, MSA-CESS accredits non-degree granting career and technical post-secondary institutions, special purpose schools, supplementary education centers, learning services providers, and distance education institutions. 
 
Accreditation is a multifaceted evaluation process that schools and school systems voluntarily use to demonstrate they are meeting a defined set of research-based performance standards. The 12 Middle States Standards for Accreditation are: mission; governance and leadership; school improvement planning; finances; facilities; school organization and staff; health and safety; educational program; assessment and evidence of student learning; student services; student life and activities, and information resources.
 
The accreditation process begins with a self-study that is conducted by the school or school system and requires input from school leaders, teachers, parents and students. Following the self-study, a team of volunteer educators from Middle States member schools conducts an on-site peer review visit to observe school operations and interview various stakeholders.
 
The visiting team makes its recommendation to the Middle States Association Commissions, which voted on the accreditations at its biannual meeting in Philadelphia this month.
 
“I can personally attest to the value of accreditation as it has significantly helped our school system establish and achieve goals through strategic planning, curriculum alignment and coalition building,” said Middle States Commissioner William W. Crist, school superintendent for the Diocese of Syracuse. “As a result, our student performance continues to steadily improve, and our faculty and staff along with our parents share in our mission to ensure all children have access to high quality education.”
 
A full list of schools and school systems that earned accreditation or reaccreditation is available here.
 
About Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)
Based in Philadelphia, the Middle States Association is the worldwide leader in accreditation and school improvement. For over 125 years, Middle States has been helping school leaders establish and reach their goals, develop strategic plans, promote staff development and advance student achievement.  With more than 2,700 accredited schools and school systems in 34 states and nearly 100 countries, MSA-CESS is proud of its continuing legacy and its ongoing innovations to meet the challenges of improving education in the 21st century.

For more information click the link below:

 MIDDLE STATES ASSOCIATION COMMISSIONS ON ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.