Breaking News: WASC Gives M-A Glowing Review
Photo Credit: Angela Lai
WASC visited M-A from March 17th-20th for the school's six-year accreditation review.
On March 20th, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) concluded M-A’s six-year accreditation review, a process that will hopefully give meaning to our diplomas.
For the three day visit that M-A had been preparing for over the past 18 months, a seven person team visited all classrooms, met with focus groups, and verified M-A’s self-study report.
WASC will send a 45 page validation report to follow the synthesis of schoolwide strengths and critical areas for follow-up given out during Wednesday’s teacher debriefing.
The synthesis suggested improving student engagement and “participation in shared decision-making and school involvement to all stakeholders, especially to students, classified staff, and parents of underrepresented populations,” as well as continuing to “develop and implement programs that will result in all students achieving their potential, regardless of cultural, ethnic, and economic background.”
However, it did note that the “master schedule is reflective of the school’s attempts to close the achievement gap.”
Additionally, although students and teachers often make light of daily objectives and PRIDE, WASC praised the “evidence of daily objectives directly connected to the standards” and the “clearly [stated] vision, mission, ESLRs, and core values (PRIDE).”
It also appreciated M-A’s accurate self-study and credited academic support like the Honors Institute, study skills classes, AVID, the Academy, Freshman Transition Program, and Homework Center for making the “majority of the students and parents feel the campus is a safe and nurturing environment for learning.”
While reflecting upon the process, Principal Matthew Zito said, “I think the visit went well. We won’t fully know everything until they send us the 45 page report.” As for the feedback thus far, “Some of these are just continuing things we’re already doing and some of it is building things out more fully.”
“Overall, it was very positive. They said ‘You have a great school and a beautiful campus.’”
It’s good to see that MA got a good reflection, but I wonder how much of it, if any, was due to the teachers completely changing their teaching routine, especially when inspectors were in the room
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Good to hear M-A received a glowing review, but I cannot wait to savor the 45 page report that will follow. Frankly, if I was treated to a three day visit with the kind of food M-A was serving the team of seven, I’d probably give the school a glowing review too.
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I’m glad my diploma will be valid and hope that the teachers don’t have to go through this again for another six years. I think the experience was partially positive in that teachers got to get more organized with their curriculum but I also think that the visits compromised the genuine nature of M-A’s diverse class environments. I guess we students can bear a few days of disillusionment for the sake of keeping our beloved high school accredited.
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thats so great! im glad they recognized how great MA is
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I’m so glad the WASC visit went well. I know the teachers have been stressed out about this for a long time, and it’s great that we are certified and won’t have to worry about it again for hopefully another six years.
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This is certainly deserved! The WASC leadership team worked so hard on an excellent, even-handed report and put on a great visit!
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Boy oh golly, it is stuff like this that makes me proud to be a Bear. Menlo-Atherton, with all due respect, probably has the most beautiful campus out of any other school in the Sequoia Union school district, not to mention our acceptable academics.
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