Accreditation Process Begins for Saint Patrick Catholic School

                                                                                    29 February 2008

Dear Saint Patrick Catholic School Parents:

 

Lenten blessings to you. I would like to provide you with some important school information that I believe you will find interesting.

 

Since the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, our faculty and staff have been actively and enthusiastically engaged in a process very important to our school. It is a self study that leads to accreditation by two of the most respected educational associations in the United States: the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Every staff and faculty member has been working on one of several committees to gather and analyze data regarding SAIS-SACS standards and to engage in a process of strategic planning.

 

One of the school’s core beliefs is “Quality always improves.” We are engaging in the accreditation process at this young age of the school’s history to help create a culture of continual improvement. Parents have an important role in this process. We would ask you to support this effort by completing an online survey regarding your understanding and satisfaction with the school’s efforts and programs. It will only take a few minutes and will be a tremendous assistance. Please access and complete the parent survey by clicking here.  Thank you in advance for completing this survey before March 14, 2008.

 

Accreditation is the process that certifies a school as meeting the formal requirements of academic excellence, curriculum, facilities, student support, governance, communication, and planning.  The following is a thumbnail sketch of the process:

*  The self-study report will be submitted to the SAIS in early summer.

 

*  A visitation committee of highly trained educators will visit the school for three days in October, 2008 to review the self-study and the school’s adherence to the accreditation standards. The visitation committee will send a written report to the SAIS Accreditation Committee with their recommendation.

*  The SAIS Accreditation Committee, a group of highly qualified school administrators, will then review the visiting team's report and vote on the school’s eligibility for accreditation. Once successful, the school will be required to maintain its compliance with the SAIS-SACS Dual Standards and to report regularly on its continued adherence and efforts. Our school’s website and all printed materials will proudly display an image like the one below:

                                                                             

                                                                 

*  Re-accreditation occurs every five years.

 

The SAIS-SACS dual accreditation represents our school’s commitment to maintain only the highest principles and values of quality, Catholic education. We are certain that this process will help us as a school community to deliver on our happy task of facilitating the total formation of each child who enters the school doors of Saint Patrick Catholic School. Thank you for being such a wonderful part of it. Please contact me should you have any questions and I thank you again for completing the online parent survey.

 

With every good wish and blessing for you and your family, I am

 

Gratefully yours,

Stephen J. Hammond
Principal