New England Association of Schools and Colleges

ACCREDITATION

What it Means for Pelham High School Students, Staff, and the Community

Background:  NEASC is the nation's oldest regional accreditation association.  It serves over 1,800 schools in New England.  Its purpose is to establish and maintain high standards of educational excellence and to implement school improvement through self-study and independent peer review evaluations. Evaluations are conducted in ten year cycles.

Pelham High School is a NEASC accredited school, up for renewal of accreditation in 2008.  Our self-study has just begun, and our site evaluation will be in March 2008.

Importance to students:  Students benefit the most from accreditation, as it ensures that their educational needs are being met in a high quality program, their transfer credits will be accepted by other schools, and that colleges will be assured of the quality of their education.

Importance to the community:  NEASC accreditation ensures that local tax money is being spent on programs that have been independently evaluated as worthwhile, that citizens are advised of the school's strengths, needs, and long-range plans, and that property values are not diminished due to an unaccredited school.

Importance to the school:  rigorous examination results in improved instruction, enhanced teamwork, increased focus on best practice, identification of new opportunities, increased community involvement, improved student achievement, and increased professional development.

sources:  www.neasc.org, Pelham High School Self-Study Committee

For more information, visit:  http://cpss.neasc.org/