WASC to visit CVHS for evaluation

  A Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) committee will be visiting CVHS from Feb. 27-29 of 2012 to evaluate the curriculum taught on campus and decide if it should continue to receive accreditation.

WASC may be an unfamiliar term to most students, but this program helps add value to their high school diplomas as well as their learning environment during their high school years.

“[WASC] is valuable for our school to examine its educational program regularly and to identify areas of strength and need. It is a goal of the WASC process,” expressed Jennifer Sitkin, the WASC coordinator of CVHS.

Along with collected data about the programs and courses that are offered at the school, surveys taken by students, parents and staff, and collaborative input by the school community, an 18-month report written by Sitkin will be sent to WASC for review before the official visit.

“At times, it is stressful, because there is so much information to gather about such a large school, but as I mentioned before, it does give the school and all its stakeholders a chance to really evaluate how CVHS is serving its students and helping them to achieve,” Sitkin said of the long process.

Principal Mary Ann Valles also believes that WASC is essential.

“Having an accreditation is very important because it is like a stamp of approval indicating that our school meets a quality standard,” explained Valles.

WASC is vital to the school in that it helps provide students with a place they are able to strive and accomplish expectations set by themselves, parents, and teachers.

It also adds value to their diploma upon graduation as it shows colleges and universities that CVHS is supplying, as Sitkin said, “a rigorous and relevant curriculum to support students in meeting academic standards and preparing them for all types of post-high school options.”

The WASC committee praises the strengths of the professional and compassionate staff, the successful performances of the students on academic tests, and the extracurricular activities that consist of clubs, athletics, and music.

However, there are some areas of improvement to be made, namely providing help to those who have not yet met state standards. Because CVHS houses over 3,000 students, communication is also a big concern that needs to be addressed.

Despite a few weaknesses, CVHS has been granted a six-year accreditation for the past three WASC visits, the highest level a school can receive.

“It’s a cycle of school improvement,” stated Sitkin. There is always room for growth, and WASC provides that avenue to higher learning.