System Accreditation
October 30, 2009 - Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools receives system accreditation from AdvancED, a nationally recognized accreditation organization. All of our schools will receive full school-level NCA accreditation as they have with individual school accreditation (NCA certificate and all). In addition, we will also be recognized as an accredited school system with NCA (banner and certificate).
"I want to congratulate the Archdiocese of Denver for becoming the eighth Diocese in the United States to achieve this unique honor. We have seen consistent recommendations being made in the areas of marketing and funding for Catholic dioceses nationwide. What we have not seen is a system that has been as proactive, research driven and successful in implementing strategies and interventions in these areas until now. The work done by the Archdiocese of Denver should serve as an inspirational model for other systems who are confronting the challenge of sustainability in these difficult economic times”.
Dr. Eddie Krenson, Vice President - Nonpublic School Services
Quality Assurance Review Team Chair
AdvancED
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS LAUDED BY INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITING AGENCY
“An Investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”
~ Benjamin Franklin
Our brand is “The Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools.” This system of schools is unified by a common tradition, purpose, and vision; yet our schools are distinctive, proud, and self-governed. In October 2009 AdvancED, an international organization and the parent organization of North Central Association, validated our brand by accrediting our system and through that process renewing the individual accreditation of each of our 39 schools. This is good news to be celebrated! It validates the strong education provided by the Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools and commitment to continuous improvement. It also conveys our dedication to the brand promise—confidence that our children will experience more complete development and unsurpassed academic and personal success.
What is accreditation?
Accreditation is a method of quality assurance which evaluates and verifies an institution’s quality and encourages continuous improvement. District accreditation is a new and challenging model, and we are only the eighth Catholic school system to earn this designation. It is a protocol for school systems committed to systemic, systematic and sustainable improvement designed to ensure that an entire system is aligned in the accreditation process.
How does accreditation benefit our stakeholders?
1. It illustrates the dividends of investment in our schools by families, teachers/staff, administrators, priests, parishioners, and benefactors in providing a distinctive, internationally recognized mark of quality that affords external recognition of the schools’ and the system’s commitment to our brand promise.
2. It provides access for students to programs that require accreditation, such as federal student loans, scholarships, postsecondary education, and military programs.
3. It builds the capacity of the system and its schools to increase and sustain student learning.
4. It encourages growth beyond compliance to achieve excellence for all of our schools serving a wide range of student populations.
What commendations did the Quality Assurance Review Team provide?
1. A powerful and pervasive sense of Catholic identity is cultivated within schools in the Archdiocese of Denver.
2. A culture of collaboration and empowerment exists across the Archdiocesan schools.
3. The branding initiative and the four pillars of the strategic plan form a foundation for stabilization and sustainability of Catholic schools within the Archdiocese.
What recommendations did the Quality Assurance Review Team provide?
1. Design and implement a comprehensive development and communications strategy that builds on the current initiatives and takes them to the next level.
2. Replicate the brand development research study originally conducted in 2004-05 to extend the brand development process for the Archdiocese.
What are the next steps in the process?
1. Share the report with all of the stakeholders.
2. Sustain the strengths noted.
3. Develop action plans to address the recommendations and methods for monitoring progress.
4. Prepare for the next review of our system in five years.
To download a copy of the preliminary overview of the final accreditation report, please
click here.
