November 4, 2009

Local Catholic schools lauded, get national accreditation

By John Gleason

The Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools system received national accreditation in an oral report from AdvancEd on Oct. 28.

AdvancEd is the parent organization for North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. 

In the report, the Office of Catholic Schools was lauded for its cultivation of Catholic identity—the wide sense of pride in the Catholic character of archdiocesan schools and how it builds a community of faith, strengthening families and promoting service. 

The report also praised the leadership of Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Superintendant Richard Thompson, Associate Superintendent Sister Elizabeth Youngs, S.C.L., and school administrators, and the collaborative culture based on Catholic principles and values that promote excellence on every level.

Eddie Krenson, vice president of the non-public school division of AdvancEd and chairman of the Quality Assurance Review Team, congratulated the Archdiocese of Denver for becoming just the eighth U.S. diocese to achieve this unique honor.
“We’ve seen consistent recommendations being made in the areas of marketing and funding for Catholic dioceses nationwide,” he said.  “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.”

The report suggested the Office of Catholic Schools implement a communications strategy; provide schools with resources and assessment strategies; and replicate the branding research study, which could provide information about the ongoing success of the branding initiative. 

The report was the culmination of an initial district accreditation process, which will be conducted every five years in order for the school system to remain accredited.  During the process, the Office of Catholic Schools takes a look at what it’s doing, making sure that the schools are meeting accepted standards, engaging in continuous improvement and demonstrating quality assurance.

Thompson told the Denver Catholic Register that the process is an ongoing journey to self-improvement.

“It mirrors our brand platform and call to action,” he said, “which is ‘Catholic Schools—Take Another Look.’”
Thompson said the Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools system is one of the few dioceses in the country that is doing a district-wide accreditation rather than individual school accreditation. 

“We do that because our centralized office is dealing with curriculum, policy guidelines and other services we provide,” he said.  “Our community is knitted together by a central office even though the schools are run individually and have individual mission statements they are part of the Archdiocese of Denver Catholic Schools brand.”

The accreditation process begins with a survey sent to education stakeholders, teachers, students, parents, pastors and office staff.  The answers are processed and collated, noting strengths and weaknesses, and are passed on to the Quality Assurance Review Team, a group of 10 Catholic educational professionals from across the country.

“This group comes to town and conducts their own set of interviews,” Thompson said. “They visit schools—a cross-section of inner-city, suburban and rural so as to assure geographic diversity—and talk with students, parents, teachers, and a variety of other stakeholders.   The archbishop is interviewed as are pastors, and school office administration and chancery personnel.  I also present a superintendent’s report.”

At the conclusion of the interviews, the review team presents its findings to school officials. A more complete written report will follow. 

Thompson said the review and recommendations will help the Office of Catholic Schools to set goals for improvement as well as acknowledge and celebrate the things it is doing well.

AdvancEd provides services and accreditation to 23,000 public and private schools and 4,500 school districts in 30 states and 65 countries.