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WASC Accreditation
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WASC ACCREDITATIONWhat is WASC?
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is one of six official academic bodies responsible for the accreditation of public and private universities, colleges, secondary and elementary schools in the United States and foreign institutions of American origin. Schools go through the WASC accreditation process every six years. During this process, schools must conduct a self study that examines all aspects of a school including organization, vision for learning, curriculum, assessment, instructional strategies and school climate and culture. This self study examines data from a variety of sources and produces a detailed report that highlights both the successes and the critical needs of students and provides an action plan for continued improvement. Students, staff, parents, and teachers all play a critical role in the self study process. At the end of the six year cycle, a WASC accreditation team visits the school, reviews the school's self study report, meets the faculty, students and parents, visits classrooms and prepares its report and recommendations for the school. Where does South Pacific Academy currently stand in this process?
In June 1991, South Pacific Academy earned full accreditation status of six years from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The accreditation was awarded again in 1997 for another six-year term. Up until the 1996-97 school year, South Pacific Academy was comprised of preschool through eighth grade. In August 1997, SPA opened its first ninth grade class and continued to add an additional grade level yearly graduating its first senior class in June 2001. In April 1998, SPA underwent a Substantive Change Visit to include its first ninth grade class and in April 2001, SPA underwent a second Substantive Change Visit to ensure that the first graduating class would graduate as members of an accredited institution. In 2003, South Pacific Academy received a three-year accreditation term with the possibility of extending accreditation for an additional three years after an onsite visit and Progress Report follow-up in March 2006. In June 2006, the term of accreditation for South Pacific Academy was extended three additional years to June 30, 2009. In June, 2009, SPA underwent a full self-study review and in August of 2009 was notified that the Accrediting Commission for Schools had granted South Pacific Academy a six-year term of accreditation, expiring on June 30, 2015. In April 2015, SPA underwent a full self-study review and in July of 2015, was notified that the Accrediting Commission for Schools had granted South Pacific Academy a six-year term of accreditation, expiring on June 30, 2021 with a visit scheduled for fall of 2019. Click here to download our report.
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"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance"
- Andy McIntyre"