WASC and IBMYP

Western Association of Schools and Colleges:

This past week AEACMS played host to a visiting team from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The purpose of the WASC visit was to begin the process of accreditation for the middle school. According to the WASC website,
"WASC values accreditation as a process designed to strengthen schools in the delivery of quality educational programs. Accreditation is important to schools as it impacts students’ access to colleges and universities and career opportunities in a variety of ways. An effective WASC self-study review is a powerful tool for schools to improve the quality of education and more effectively serve staff and students."


The visiting team met with students, parents, teachers, and members of our School Site Council and Board of Trustees. I did not attend any of these meetings, and all interviewees were encouraged to express their honest viewpoints on the school, its strengths and areas of need.

I am pleased to report that the WASC team members told me they thoroughly enjoyed their time on campus. They will provide me with a list of strengths and areas of need for the school soon; I will share this information with the school community when it becomes available. The official report from WASC headquarters should arrive within the next two months or so; this will either designate AEACMS as WASC-affiliated or WASC-accredited. Both designations would bring with them requirements for additional ongoing work that is needed to improve our school. I would like to thank the students, parents, teachers, and members of our SSC and Board of Trustees for contributing to the success of the WASC visit. Expect updates here as more information is forthcoming.

International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP):

AEACMS is proud to have received the status of "IB Candidate School" in Spring, 2008. Teachers are now working diligently under the leadership and guidance of our IBMYP Coordinator Libby Krueger, to develop IBMYP course outlines and units of study. Each teacher will create two IBMYP units over the course of this school year, according to established IB parameters. In addition, the IB leadership team is developing written policies in three areas important to the success of the school: student assessment, special education, and language.

We have been quite fortunate to benefit from the services of our IB consultant Lisa Nicholson. Lisa is assisting Libby in guiding the teachers' work; she has visited classrooms, met with the entire teaching staff as well as with individuals, and reviewed course outlines and units.

Our goal as a school is to complete our next step in the application process by June, 2009, and we hope to have an authorization team visit our campus some time in the first semester of the 2009/2010 school year.