Wakefield Memorial High School up for Accreditation in Oct.

Wakefield Memorial High School's accreditation status will soon be up for review.

faculty members appeared before the school committee on Tuesday night to present the results of a two-year long self-study and to discuss the planned schedule for the arrival of a New England Association of Schools and Colleges’ (NEASC) visiting committee.

NEASC is one of six regional academic accreditation associations in the country and, as a member, Wakefield High School must submit to self and peer reviews once every ten years to show compliance with educational standards set forth by the association.

The Self-Study
The self-study was conducted by multiple committees composed primarily of Wakefield High School faculty, although some committees also included students, parents, and support personnel.

The committees critically evaluated individual and school-wide adherence to educational standards according to NEASC rating guides, and developed strategic plans for the future.

“The self-study process is really the most important part, especially for everyone working in the school community, because it’s a time when you really get to reflect on and evaluate your own work,” Wakefield Memorial High English Teacher and Department Coordinator Paul Bavuso said. “You get to look at your own strengths and your own weaknesses.”

Based on the individual committees’ findings, school officials developed a lists of the school’s critical strengths and needs.

According to the presentation, strengths include a faculty dedicated to excellence, a student-centered culture, and a multitude of opportunities for student participation.

Weaknesses include correction structural deficiencies, development of professional schedules conducive to collaboration, and the need for a plan to improve instructional technology.

Core Vales and Strategic Plans
Shared beliefs that became evident during the self-study process were refined and developed into two core values of Wakefield Memorial High School:

• “Wakefield Memorial High School is a student-centered community committed to excellence in teaching and learning.”

• “Wakefield Memorial High School is a respectful learning community that promotes personal responsibility and acceptance of individual differences.”

Wakefield Memorial High School Principal Dr. Kimberly Smith said that the core values will drive learning, teaching, and social expectations, referring to them as the “rudder of a ship.”

Two-year and five-year strategic plans for improvement were developed based on Wakefield Memorial High School’s needs.

The two-year plan proposes corrections to structural deficiencies, the establishment of a technology committee, and the development of a master schedule that allows faculty opportunities to engage one another more easily.

Principal Smith said that the school has already begun to address these issues.

The five-year plan proposes the use of an online curriculum mapping tool, a renewed focus on professional development, and the implementation of protocols for a professional learning community.

The Visiting Committee
All NEASC member institutions must submit to the scrutiny of a visiting committee once every ten years. The committee, comprised of 16 education professionals from other NEASC member institutions, will determine Wakefield Memorial High School’s adherence to NEASC standards.

The visiting committee will attend presentations by faculty members and will interview students, parents, faculty, and support personnel to determine Wakefield Memorial High School’s adherence to NEASC standards.

Failure to comply with one or more of the standards could result in the school being placed on probationary status, during which time it would have to demonstrate its improvement in that area.

If the self-study is any indication of how the school will fare, there shouldn’t be a problem: The self-study rated its adherence to all standards as acceptable or exemplary except for one: The standard for community resources for learning.

The visiting committee will be at Wakefield Memorial High School from Oct. 23 until Oct. 26.