The Board and administration of Westgate Christian Academy seek the highest and best level of academic preparation for each student in attendance. In order to hold the leadership of the school to a high level of accountability and insure that parents, staff members, and students have a voice in directing continued improvement in our services, Westgate sought and was awarded accreditation through the North Central Association in March of 2007. Here is what this “accredited” status means to our parents.

Description of NCA CASI Accreditation

The North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) is a non-governmental, voluntary organization that accredits more than 8,500 public and private schools in 19 states, the Navajo Nation, and the Department of Defense Dependents’ Schools worldwide.

To earn accreditation, schools must meet NCA CASI’s quality standards, be evaluated by an outside group of professionals, and implement a school improvement plan focused on increasing student performance. Accreditation is voluntary.

Benefits to Students

Increased performance. Accreditation focuses a school on improving learning for all students. A six-year study of schools actively engaged in NCA CASI’s process revealed that 79% made verifiable gains in student achievement. Consequently, NCA CASI accreditation is a proven method for improving student performance.

Transfer of credits. In addition to raising student achievement, accreditation eases the transition of students as they move from one accredited school to another. The regional nature of accreditation allows a receiving school in the same or another state to assess the quality of a sending school and accept the incoming student’s credits and academic record. This ease of transfer applies across the nation through reciprocal agreements between the regional accrediting agencies.

Access to programs and scholarships. Accreditation can also benefit students as they participate in specific sports programs, apply for federal grants or scholarships, or pursue admission to colleges, technical schools, or military programs that require students to come from regionally accredited schools.

Benefits to Parents and the General Public

Accreditation assures parents and the public that the school is focused on raising student achievement, providing a safe and enriching learning environment, and maintaining an efficient and effective operation. Accreditation extends across state lines, assuring parents and the public that their school adheres to high quality standards based on the latest research and successful professional practice.

Benefits to School Boards

NCA CASI accreditation focuses all schools on improving student performance and, most importantly, provides a proven resource to use in raising student achievement. NCA CASI accreditation also provides school boards with independent, non-governmental validation that the schools they oversee are effectively using available funds to deliver quality education services to their students. In addition, NCA CASI accreditation is a cost-effective way to engage school in a coherent school improvement process and align local, state, and federal requirements.

Benefits to Schools

Accreditation provides educators with a proven process for raising student achievement. Educators from accredited schools benefit from multiple resources (publications, manuals, software, professional development, and conferences), all of which assist them in school improvement. In addition, educators gain access to a network of over 8,500 schools across a 19 state region for the sharing of best practices and professional knowledge. They also gain valuable information about effective practices in other schools through participation on peer review teams. Through the accreditation process and resources, educators improve their ability to analyze data and make sound educational decisions based on that data. Finally, accreditation provides education leaders at all levels with deserved recognition for going above and beyond the minimum to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to quality and to success for all students.

The recent unification of NCA CASI with its sister regional association in the South, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), and the National Study of School Evaluation (NSSE) provides enhanced benefits to schools. NCA CASI accredited schools are now part of a network of close to 23,000 schools in 65 countries dedicated to quality improvement. Schools also gain enhanced access to the research-based materials, resources, and tools of NSSE, a national research and development organization focused on improving schools through the accreditation process.

We were very pleased that the North Central Association approves of our current level of services to students and families, and will assist us in continual evaluation of our program and guide us toward best practices in the field of education. Our goal at Westgate is to help our students attain the highest level of knowledge (academically) and wisdom (an understanding and love for God).