Hollister
– An accrediting commission will be at San Benito High School
next week certifying the school as a valid learning institution,
and assessing the goals for the school’s future.
Hollister – An accrediting commission will be at San Benito High School next week certifying the school as a valid learning institution, and assessing the goals for the school’s future.
The certification process, which takes place every six years, focuses on the school’s self-study report. The report analyzes the school’s strengths and identifies areas that need to be improved. Most four-year colleges only accept student transcripts from accredited high schools.
The school administrators and staff have spent the last year compiling the self-study, and creating an action plan detailing their goals for the next six years.
“It’s really important that we took the time to make sure everyone was on the same page,” SBHS Principal Debbie Padilla said. “The process is really important, and so is the action plan. We’re celebrating what we did right but also what we need to work on.”
The accreditation committee will analyze and assess the report and action plan during its four-day visit.
“They make sure we’re focusing on our true areas of need,” Padilla said.
The school named four goals for improvement in their action plan. These goals were to increase test scores, to increase graduation rates and student retention, to decrease discipline problems and to improve achievement among at-risk populations.
The accreditation committee gives the administrators and staff feedback during its school visit.
“Basically they’re validating the report and they make a decision as to whether the school is in good shape or needs some revision,” said Karen Schroder, director of student services.
The accreditation is performed by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The association is a private agency, but works with the California Department of Education. The University of California school system requires accreditation in order to get approval of the courses.
“Not being accredited would cause some real problems for any student trying to get into a four-year college or university,” Schroder said.
When SBHS last underwent the accreditation process, it was accredited and given a positive review. Staff are addressing the areas they were previously told needed improvement in this report.
“In my opinion, this is the most important thing that happens at our school,” Padilla said. “Not simply the accreditation factor, but it’s also really creating a focus for the school for the next six years. It really does set the focus and pace for the school.”
Alice Joy covers education for the Free Lance. She can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 336 or at [email protected].
