One way for Wayside: Sci-Tech Preparatory (STP) to assure parents and receiving colleges that the school provides rigorous coursework that truly prepares students for college is to earn a nationally-recognized accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), an accreditation division of AdvancED.

Becoming accredited is a challenging but worthwhile process that acknowledges that a school meets extremely high standards of effective practice. In March, Wayside: STP was honored to receive word that it had earned its SACS CASI accreditation. Click here to learn more about what this means for families.

To earn accreditation, schools must meet SACS CASI’s high standards, be evaluated by a team of professionals from outside the school and implement a continuous process of school improvement.

“Accreditation demonstrates to our students, parents and community that we are focused on raising student achievement, providing a safe and enriching learning environment, and maintaining an efficient and effective operation staffed by highly qualified educators,” stated Mary Brinkman, Principal at Wayside: STP.

When a school achieves accreditation, parents and the community can be assured that the top priorities are:

  • increasing student achievement
  • providing a safe and enriching learning environment
  • running an efficient operation

Students benefit from accreditation as well. Students are assured:

  • qualified teachers are working to improve their methods
  • more focus on student learning
  • a better transition from grade to grade
  • a rigorous, diverse, and sound curriculum based on quality standards
  • a range of student activities and support services
  • smoother transfer of credits from school to school
  • eligibility for special programs, grants, and scholarships

SACS CASI also accredits colleges. To receive a SACS CASI accreditation means that Wayside: STP is reaching the same high-quality standards that the accreditation agency requires from colleges, and thus is truly preparing its students for success in college.

Wayside Schools is very proud of all the hard work staff and students did to ensure Wayside: STP received accreditation. It is wonderful to see such an important agency confirm that Wayside: STP prepares college ready, community engaged, global citizens.