S. William Abel Academy

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The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) is a world-renowned accrediting association and one of the six regional accrediting agencies in the United States. WASC, extends its services to over 5,000 public, independent, church-related, and proprietary pre-K 12 and adult schools, works with 18 associations in joint accreditation processes, and collaborates with other organizations such as the California Department of Education (CDE) and a partnership with the University of California regarding the a-g course requirements.

Accreditation is integral to a school’s perpetual cycle of assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring, and reassessment based upon student achievement. It fosters excellence in elementary, secondary, adult, and postsecondary education by encouraging school improvement through a process of continuing evaluation and to recognize, by accreditation, schools that meet an acceptable level of quality in accordance with established criteria.

Benefits of accreditation include:

• Assures a school community that the school’s purposes are appropriate and being accomplished through a viable education program — a trustworthy institution for student learning
• Validates the integrity of the school’s program and transcripts
• Facilitates transfer of credits to other English-speaking schools — critical for college/university acceptance worldwide
• Fosters the ongoing improvement of the school’s programs and operations to support student learning
• Provides valuable insight from fellow educators visiting the school

Accreditation is represented by a seal appearing on the transcript of graduates. The seal validates the rigor and authority of the school and guarantees students access to a wider range of post-secondary options.

The staff of the S. William Abel Community School and the Educational Services Department are dedicated to a cycle of continuous improvement to provide greater services and improved outcomes for the youth of Colusa County. WASC accreditation is a significant step towards the Community School’s goal of providing exceptional educational opportunities to our neediest students.

-Adapted from “Executive Summary of Accreditation Process California Public/Charter School Data”