The View from Here: Self-Study & Reaccreditation
by Janet Durgin, Head of School
When Sonoma Academy began, we were obviously not yet an accredited school, but we intended to become one as soon as possible. The California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) will only accredit a school in its sixth year. However, Sonoma Academy earned accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in record time—within two years of our opening. Then we received our CAIS accreditation in our sixth year. Ever since then we receive our reaccrediation from both organizations in a joint process. CAIS utilizes 12 Standards they established to "cover the range of key elements that most profoundly affect the quality of experience for students. CAIS continuously reviews not only the existing standards, but also the potential to add others as today’s schools evolve to meet the needs of 21st century learners." Their process of reaccreditation begins with an intensive and rigorous self-study that precedes a visit to the campus by a task force appointed by CAIS comprising other independent school administrators and teachers.
We are nearing the end of our self-study process and will soon be preparing for our campus visit in the late winter or early spring. The self-study required a more than yearlong sustained effort by faculty, administrators, and Trusteesworking collaboratively to answer the more than 125 questions posed in the self-study. The questions are designed to delve deeply into every aspect of the schoo—from mission to program, governance to fundraising, community and culture, to teaching and learning, facilities to human resources, and more.
Over the past year, nearly the entire staffulty have over 125 questions that delve deeply into every aspect of school life--from our mission, program, approach to teaching and learning, governance, health, wellness, and safety, administration, and much more. Today, a committee of faculty and staff (myself included) met off-site all day to review the first draft of the completed study and to answer some final summary questions. While the process is long, arduous, and time-intensive, it also provides us with a meaningful opportunity to reflect on all aspects of our work, identifying opportunities for development and growth, as well as taking stock of our strengths.
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When Sonoma Academy began, we were obviously not yet an accredited school, but we intended to become one as soon as possible. The California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) will only accredit a school in its sixth year. However, Sonoma Academy earned accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in record time—within two years of our opening. Then we received our CAIS accreditation in our sixth year. Ever since then we receive our reaccrediation from both organizations in a joint process. CAIS utilizes 12 Standards they established to "cover the range of key elements that most profoundly affect the quality of experience for students. CAIS continuously reviews not only the existing standards, but also the potential to add others as today’s schools evolve to meet the needs of 21st century learners." Their process of reaccreditation begins with an intensive and rigorous self-study that precedes a visit to the campus by a task force appointed by CAIS comprising other independent school administrators and teachers.
We are nearing the end of our self-study process and will soon be preparing for our campus visit in the late winter or early spring. The self-study required a more than yearlong sustained effort by faculty, administrators, and Trusteesworking collaboratively to answer the more than 125 questions posed in the self-study. The questions are designed to delve deeply into every aspect of the schoo—from mission to program, governance to fundraising, community and culture, to teaching and learning, facilities to human resources, and more.
Over the past year, nearly the entire staffulty have over 125 questions that delve deeply into every aspect of school life--from our mission, program, approach to teaching and learning, governance, health, wellness, and safety, administration, and much more. Today, a committee of faculty and staff (myself included) met off-site all day to review the first draft of the completed study and to answer some final summary questions. While the process is long, arduous, and time-intensive, it also provides us with a meaningful opportunity to reflect on all aspects of our work, identifying opportunities for development and growth, as well as taking stock of our strengths.
The image shows our group in the middle of our work session. We borrowed one of the large conference rooms at Sonoma Country Day School, an independent elementary and middle school in Santa Rosa that also happens to be undergoing their self-study and reaccreditation process.
Here's an example of one of the scores of questions we have been required to answer: "Taking into account the future world in which the school anticipates that its students will be living, describe how the curriculum is informed by that vision." How would you respond to this question?
Sonoma Academy Is...
...the only private, independent, college preparatory high school in Sonoma County. On our beautiful campus nestled at the base of Taylor Mountain in Southeastern Santa Rosa, our students are able to explore their interests and passions in a rigorous and inspiring environment that develops a lifelong love of learning and prepares them for college and beyond.
Sonoma Academy admits students of any race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
