I am proud to inform you that the MSVT has recommended SHS for Full Accreditation. In the next months, MSA staff will review the report and make a recommendation (usually similar to the MSVT's), then the International Schools Advisory Committee will review the report and the staff and team's recommendations. The Commission will review the report and all of the recommendations and grant Full Accreditation officially to SHS at their meeting in October.
Fr. Gabriel Tabet
Rector
ACCREDITATION THROUGH REFLECTIONS
Sagesse High School (SHS) is currently seeking accreditation from the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. A team of two MSA members visited the school for four days during May 2006 and recommended the school be given an accreditation candidacy status. Full accreditation is expected after the school successfully completes an 18 month self-study program and meets all the standards specified by MSA. According to MSA, Accreditation is the affirmation that a school provides a quality of education that the community has a right to expect and the education world endorses. Accreditation is a means of showing confidence in a school's performance. In order to receive full accreditation, SHS will use the MSA Reflections Protocol which is a comprehensive process of self-study that addresses the following twelve areas:
Foundational Standards: Standards addressing best practices in the components of a school that provide the foundations for quality in the education program, services, and results in terms of student learning.
Standard 1: Philosophy and Mission Standard 2: Governance and Leadership Standard 3: School Improvement Planning Standard 4: Finances Standard 5: Facilities Standard 6: School Climate and Organization
Operational Standards: Standards addressing best practices in delivering the education program, services, and activities to the students.
Standard 7: Health and Safety Standard 8: Educational Program Standard 9: Assessment and Evidence of Student Learning Standard 10: Student Services Standard 11: Student Life and Student Activities Standard 12: Information Resources and Technology
Why
Become recognized internationally and develop a culture where school performance is of highest quality and undergoes continuous improvement. The affiliation with an international association such as MSA will provide the school with highly qualified educational consultants and international educational research and information, and will ensure that the school constantly monitors and evaluates its performance in areas such as:
1. School is managed and administered by qualified managers, administrators and teachers;
2. The school's financial and budgeting plans support the operational needs of the school and allow for future growth;
3. The school's curricula are reviewed and updated to meet current educational needs. This monitoring and evaluation will create an environment where continuous self-improvement is sustained. It is this improved performance that will allow SHS to continue serving its students and spread knowledge to wider sections of society both inside and outside Lebanon.
What
Accreditation covers all areas in the school including governance, policies, planning, budgeting, educational programs, health and safety, student services, etc.
How
1. School must voluntarily want to become accredited;
2. Every school has its own governance and policies. Accreditation ensures that procedures to implement these policies are developed and implemented;
3. Accreditation provides a self-study guide for the school to follow. Proper implementation of this guide will lead the School to become accredited;
4. Teamwork and involvement of the whole school community is used to develop new processes and procedures.
Who
Members of the school community will participate in this process including parents, students, educators, and administrative staff members. The head of school and board must fully endorse this process and the school's administration must ensure its successful implementation.
When
The School became fully accredited effective December 1, 2009.
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