The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) is one of six regional accrediting associations in the United States. The Accrediting Commission for Schools, WASC, extends its services to over 4,500 public, independent, church-related, and proprietary pre-K–12 and adult schools, works with 16 associations in joint accreditation processes, and collaborates with other educational organizations.The ACS WASC accreditation process fosters excellence in elementary, secondary, and adult education by encouraging school improvement. WASC accreditation recognizes schools that meet an acceptable level of quality, in accordance with established, research-based WASC criteria.
During the Summer 2016 WASC Commission Meeting the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) announced the action taken that they have determined Northwest Prep Charter School meets the ACS WASC criteria for a 6 year term accreditation. This accreditation status is based on all of the information provided by the school, including the self-study report, and the satisfactory completion of the 3 day on-site accreditation visit.
It was the decision of the Commission to grant Six-Year Accreditation Status with a Mid-cycle Two-day Visit through June 30, 2022.
During the Summer 2016 WASC Commission Meeting the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) announced the action taken that they have determined Northwest Prep Charter School meets the ACS WASC criteria for a 6 year term accreditation. This accreditation status is based on all of the information provided by the school, including the self-study report, and the satisfactory completion of the 3 day on-site accreditation visit.
It was the decision of the Commission to grant Six-Year Accreditation Status with a Mid-cycle Two-day Visit through June 30, 2022.
Summaries of findings from WASC reports:
COMMENTS FROM WASC ACCREDITING TEAM:
"There is much to commend at the new and improved Northwest Prep. The Revisit Committee found a dedicated and energetic staff similar to the first visit but there was a significant difference in this visit that can best be described as a “motivated enthusiasm” that comes from the satisfaction the staff derives from seeing their daily efforts with students bear fruit. The Committee was significantly impressed with the overall climate at NWP. The students are actively engaged in their projects and enthusiastic about learning. They are confident and thoughtful when discussing their academic activities and future educational and life goals. Students at NWP exhibit personal integrity and respect for others which accurately reflects the staff’s efforts to create a culture of appreciation, trust, and respect.
Teachers, led by a dynamic and principled Director, have created a community of learners where students are doing real work, investigating complex issues, separating fact from fiction, synthesizing ideas, and clearly communicating their conclusions. The difference in academic rigor, in the type of assignments given to students, the level of work expected from students, was night and day between the Committee’s first visit and this revisit. And most impressive was how deeply the students’ were engaged in this rigor because they see it as “real work.”
The Committee is excited as well to commend the staff on their recent recognition for the highly competitive “Jack London Award for Educational Innovation” given by the Sonoma State University School of Education. It is a clear commentary on the results of their efforts in less than one school year of their practice of integrated Project-based Learning.
One final commendation goes to the school community as a whole, students, staff, parents, Board members, and Superintendent. You are to be congratulated for supporting innovation and change and daring to take the risks of the road less traveled to create new, meaningful educational opportunities for our future citizens."
"The Director and instructional staff of Northwest Prep are to be commended on their development of a dynamic Schoolwide Action Plan to guide the implementation of their planned changes and to monitor the progress of their strategies for student improvement. The Plan is a simple, straightforward, and practical tool for annual goal setting and assessment. This approach allows all stakeholders to concentrate on specific topics rather than having their attention and efforts divided by multiple areas of focus. The Visiting Committee appreciated that each Plan goal is designed to contribute to the personal and academic growth and success of all NWP students as well as the ongoing development of a positive, cohesive, and sustainable school community.
The school is also to be commended on their progress on adding elective classes and additional opportunities for physical education to the curriculum and for their efforts to update their UC a-g course list.
And finally, and perhaps most importantly, the entire school community, students, parents, staff, district officials, and Governing Board members are to be commended for their continuing support and commitment to this highly innovative, exciting, and demanding educational option. Even in the face of the challenges of staff turnover and questioning from some in the educational community, the stakeholders of Northwest Prep have stayed true to their mission and continued to evolve and improve their school."
"There is much to commend at the new and improved Northwest Prep. The Revisit Committee found a dedicated and energetic staff similar to the first visit but there was a significant difference in this visit that can best be described as a “motivated enthusiasm” that comes from the satisfaction the staff derives from seeing their daily efforts with students bear fruit. The Committee was significantly impressed with the overall climate at NWP. The students are actively engaged in their projects and enthusiastic about learning. They are confident and thoughtful when discussing their academic activities and future educational and life goals. Students at NWP exhibit personal integrity and respect for others which accurately reflects the staff’s efforts to create a culture of appreciation, trust, and respect.
Teachers, led by a dynamic and principled Director, have created a community of learners where students are doing real work, investigating complex issues, separating fact from fiction, synthesizing ideas, and clearly communicating their conclusions. The difference in academic rigor, in the type of assignments given to students, the level of work expected from students, was night and day between the Committee’s first visit and this revisit. And most impressive was how deeply the students’ were engaged in this rigor because they see it as “real work.”
The Committee is excited as well to commend the staff on their recent recognition for the highly competitive “Jack London Award for Educational Innovation” given by the Sonoma State University School of Education. It is a clear commentary on the results of their efforts in less than one school year of their practice of integrated Project-based Learning.
One final commendation goes to the school community as a whole, students, staff, parents, Board members, and Superintendent. You are to be congratulated for supporting innovation and change and daring to take the risks of the road less traveled to create new, meaningful educational opportunities for our future citizens."
"The Director and instructional staff of Northwest Prep are to be commended on their development of a dynamic Schoolwide Action Plan to guide the implementation of their planned changes and to monitor the progress of their strategies for student improvement. The Plan is a simple, straightforward, and practical tool for annual goal setting and assessment. This approach allows all stakeholders to concentrate on specific topics rather than having their attention and efforts divided by multiple areas of focus. The Visiting Committee appreciated that each Plan goal is designed to contribute to the personal and academic growth and success of all NWP students as well as the ongoing development of a positive, cohesive, and sustainable school community.
The school is also to be commended on their progress on adding elective classes and additional opportunities for physical education to the curriculum and for their efforts to update their UC a-g course list.
And finally, and perhaps most importantly, the entire school community, students, parents, staff, district officials, and Governing Board members are to be commended for their continuing support and commitment to this highly innovative, exciting, and demanding educational option. Even in the face of the challenges of staff turnover and questioning from some in the educational community, the stakeholders of Northwest Prep have stayed true to their mission and continued to evolve and improve their school."
