Prince William Academy Now Accredited by the Virginia Independent Schools Association

On Wednesday, November 5, 2014, the Virginia Independent Schools Association (VISA) voted to add Prince William Academy to its roster of accredited private schools. VISA is an accrediting member organization of the Virginia Council for Private Education.

According to its website (www.princewilliamacademy.com) Prince William Academy (PWA) is a secular private school in Lake Ridge, VA, and has an elementary and middle school, an extensive preschool, and an infant and toddler program. PWA has been accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the American Camp Association for many years. The school’s founder and Executive Director, Dr. Samia Harris, notes that VISA’s accreditation marks a significant milestone for the elementary and middle school programs.

Dr. Harris, who founded Prince William Academy more than 25 years ago and opened its current campus in 2006, says that PWA “strives perpetually to achieve a higher level of accountability for ourselves, our students, and the community that we serve. Our school’s accreditation by VISA reflects this dedication.”

According to PWA’s Principal, Dr. Shiree Slade, the VISA accreditation follows on the heels of several important shifts at the school. “Last year, we implemented hybrid digital/classroom curricula for science and math in our upper elementary and middle grades,” she says. “We also established a new technology curriculum and updated our computer lab. We are gearing our overall curriculum more than ever towards preparing students for success in the 21st century.”

Dr. Rebecca Nykwest, PWA’s Director of Communications, notes that the VISA accreditation process spanned nearly 18 months, and was rigorous, thorough, and beneficial to PWA. “The self-study required us to minutely examine and describe every aspect of our school, from our curriculum to our school culture to our facilities, down to the smallest detail,” she says. “Our entire staff participated, and we all felt a great sense of pride in demonstrating to VISA all the things that make our school strong and unique. And the process ultimately served to highlight how well our teachers and administrators work together as a team, and how much each member of our staff contributes to creating an enriching environment for our students.”

The final vote on Prince William Academy’s accreditation followed the recommendation of a VISA committee comprised of heads of schools from throughout Virginia. During a three-day visit to PWA in September, the committee met with teachers, students, administrators, parents, and the Board of Directors, and evaluated the lengthy self-study produced by the staff. The committee voted to recommend PWA for accreditation.

Dr. Harris and Dr. Slade were on hand for the final vote on November 5th. The school is planning a special event to celebrate and thank the staff for all their hard work.