This year, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) is involved in the complex process of re-accrediting our school by measuring nearly every aspect of the community.

NEASC is a private, non-profit organization that provides accreditation to nearly every public educational institution in New England. In a rigorous process of review and examination, it will look at seven different criterion, include core values, curriculum, instruction, resources, leadership and the community.

“We are validating what the school wrote in their self study. So, we are looking for confirmation that yes, that’s really the case,” said Robert Hale, the chair of the NEASC Evaluation Committee and principal of Westbrook High School in Westbrook, Conn. “Each of the standards for membership has some specific indicators, and we look for evidence that the school is meeting those indicators.”

According to NEASC’s website, the goal of this accreditation process is to ensure that an institution has clearly defined appropriate objectives for improvement, as well as the resources to achieve those goals.

Opportunity For Change Director Brian Poon, one of the co-chairs of the committees set up to prepare for the process, said it offers more than this.

“There is value with having outsiders look at what you do in an in depth manner,” said Poon. “While not mandatory, the real value of the accreditation process is the benefits it provides the teachers and students.”

The NEASC process provides an outside perspective on the way teachers operate at the school. Reports are written by everyone on the staff, providing their opinions about the positives of the school and also what may need to change. This perspective both strengthens the role of the teacher and highlights areas that may need work, according to Poon.

Anonymous samples of student work are also considered by the committee. The identification of areas for improvement can help bring about real change, benefiting not only teachers, but the students as well said Assistant Headmaster Hal Mason.

The most recent NEASC review took place in 2001, and the results were clear. When polled, students said they not only loved the school, but they felt their love was reciprocated. The percentage of teachers who said they would send their own children here dwarfed the national average. Even NEASC was impressed.

Twenty years ago, however, the school was found lacking. This review helped bring about changes in the late ‘90s.

“Having an outside [source] see that you need something can precipitate change,” said Poon.

NEASC representatives shadowed students to gain an understanding of a day in a student’s life. They reviewed classes of varying grades and levels to provide a balanced look at the school. Though the actual NEASC visits and process culminated on Nov. 13-15, the work in preparation for this accreditation has been going on for a year and a half.

Hale said that NEASC’s full report will not be released until sometime in February.

“It looks like a great school,” said Hale. “We are not at a place yet where we can make a judgement about the standards.”

Michelle Li, a committee member, said, “This is a great school.”

Max Condon can be contacted at [email protected]