Schools accredited

St. James Institute and St. Catherine of Siena School, both in Albany, and St. Mary's Institute in Amsterdam have been accredited by the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools.

St. Mary's thus becomes the only school (besides Fulton-Montgomery Community College) in Montgomery and Fulton counties to hold that designation.

All four of the diocese's high schools -- Catholic Central High School in Troy, Bishop Maginn in Albany, Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons in Schenectady and Saratoga Central Catholic High -- were previously accredited. St. Pius X School in Loudonville is also accredited.

According to the Middle States Commission, approximately 500 elementary schools and 220 high schools in New York State are accredited.

"It is the ultimate goal of our overall strategic plan that all of the schools in the Diocese be accredited," explained Sister Jane Herb, IHM, diocesan superintendent. "Accreditation is an important feature for parents to consider when choosing a school for their children.

"Middle States Accreditation is significant because it is an independent affirmation that a school is providing quality educational programs. The accreditation process is long and tedious, and carefully scrutinizes all of a school's programs to ensure it is worthy of the distinction."

According to the Middle States Association, an accredited school is one that is student-oriented, devoted to a mission and capable of self-correcting. Furthermore, an accredited school regularly analyzes objective evidence on student achievement and growth, and its plans for the future focus on constant improvement.

The process of becoming accredited takes about 18 months, and includes the development of a strategic plan for the school, an evaluation by a team of commission-appointed experts and a three-day site visit.

Other Catholics schools currently entering the accreditation process are St. Jude the Apostle, Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Victory and Holy Spirit, all in Rensselaer County; St. Mary's Academy in Hoosick Falls; St. Thomas the Apostle in Delmar; St. Clement's Regional School in Saratoga Springs; and St. Mary's/St. Alphonsus in Glens Falls.

(For more information about Catholic schools, visit www.rcdaschools.org.)

(5/20/04) [[In-content Ad]]