High Standards of Independent Accreditation Spur Improvement and Attract Recognition for St. Louis Public High Schools

St. Louis ¨C At the start of the new school year, all St. Louis Public high schools are considered either accredited or in the process of becoming accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA). This certification recognizes schools with a reputation for quality and continuous school improvement. NCA accreditation is respected by colleges and universities throughout the country.

Accredited schools include: Central VPA, Cleveland @ Pruitt NJROTC, Metro, Roosevelt, Soldan, and Sumner.

Beaumont, Carnahan, Clyde C. Miller Career Academy, Gateway I.T., Northwest Transportation and Law Academy, and Vashon are NCA candidates.

¡°NCA accreditation is recognized across state lines. It assures parents that the school is meeting regionally and nationally accepted standards for quality and successful professional practice,¡± said Superintendent Diana Bourisaw. ¡°This is the accreditation standard that most colleges and universities rely upon when admitting students.¡±

Bourisaw added, ¡°The real value of NCA accreditation is the focus on improvement. The accreditation process focuses the school staff on analyzing student performance data, identifying areas of weakness, and developing clear goals and plans for improvement. We regularly assess and measure our progress in all goal areas, and NCA will hold us accountable for demonstrating growth. The process keeps everyone in the building focused on raising student achievement.¡±

Parents and interested community members can learn more about NCA accreditation at www.ncacasi.org.