From Superintendent Andrew Melin:
Individual schools within VCS participate in an accreditation process through the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI). In 2006, NCA CASI became part of a larger accreditation organization called AdvancED, which represents over 23,000 public and private schools and districts in 30 states and 65 countries. The accreditation process ensures our schools are meeting the high standards for quality schools as defined by NCA CASI, are engaged in a continuous improvement process, and demonstrate quality assurance through an external review completed by education professionals from outside the district. To promote a systems’ approach to accreditation, NCA CASI has created a district accreditation process. Because VCS is moving to a system-wide approach through its own strategic planning process, district accreditation is a viable option.
As a result, VCS has applied to AdvancED to transition from school-level accreditation to district-level accreditation. A district-level leadership team has been formed consisting of teachers, support staff, parent, and administrative representatives to work through the application process. At this time, a self-assessment has been completed by the leadership team and a request has been made to host a visit by AdvancED representatives to determine VCS’ readiness for district accreditation. The greatest value of district accreditation is its focus on a K-12 systems approach in which the three pillars of accreditation; 1) high standards, 2) continuous improvement, and 3) quality assurance are applied to the entire district to assure alignment and support between and among the district and its schools. While focusing on district-wide systems, the district accreditation process also allows a level of individualization for each of the district’s schools. Once a readiness visit is completed this spring, AdvancED representatives will make us aware if we have been accepted for district accreditation. If so, our district would host an external review visit within two years. Another advantage of district accreditation is only one external review is required to cover the entire school district where, on the other hand, in school-level accreditation, an external review team must visit each school. Having to host one visit for the district not only helps us focus on a K-12 systems approach, it also reduces the cost of hosting individual school visits. We will keep everyone updated on our district accreditation application status over the next several months.
VCS News
In order to give our transportation department and staff enough notice when a weather delay is necessary, we will do our best to send our automated message by 5:30 a.m.
Please click on the following link to access student-related community flyers: http://www.valpo.k12.in.us/Page/1019
VCS Standouts
Thank you to the VHS Vikettes who performed on Tuesday, January 31 at Pines Village Retirement Community to about 40 residents. The show was about 30 minutes long, and was a highlight of the routines they had performed during the football and basketball seasons. Great job to the students and coach!
Congratulations to the following VHS athletes who have received college scholarships:
- John Bednar/Indiana/Football
- Clarisse Fletcher/Robert Morris/ Girls Basketball
- Quinn Geans/Bethel College/Track
- Jake Grossnickle/Indianapolis/ Football
- Kate Johnson/Indiana State/Soccer
- Allie Lamberson/Indiana/Swimming
- Ryan Nix/St. Francis/Football
- Jordan Romanov/Bethel College/ Track
- Kate Workman/Purdue/Volleyball
Important Dates:
- February 17 Mid-Winter Break
- February 20 President’s Day
- February 21 Board Meeting
- March 20 Board Meeting