From Staff Reports
Superintendent Joyce Craft has announced that Hot Springs School District earned continuing accreditation from the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, an accreditation division of AdvancED.
The action was taken at the AdvancED Accreditation Commission meeting held in Tempe, Ariz., on Jan. 21.
Hot Springs High School has maintained NCA CASI accreditation status since 1923. The intermediate school, middle school and elementary magnet schools have been recognized since 2010.
"AdvancED School System Accreditation is a rigorous process that demonstrates to our students, parents and community that we are focused on raising student achievement, providing safe and enriching learning environments, and maintaining efficient and effective operations staffed by highly qualified educators," Craft said.
As a part of the accreditation process, a team of trained professionals from across the state and nation reviewed district documents and performance data, interviewed system, school and community stakeholders, conducted site reviews to several schools and observed system and school practices in action.
To earn accreditation, schools must meet NCA CASI's high standards, be evaluated by a team of professionals from outside the school and implement a continuous process of school improvement. Accreditation is granted on a five-year term.
"NCA CASI Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school on the primary goal of creating lifelong learners," said Mark Elgart, president/CEO of AdvancED, the parent organization of NCA CASI. "The Hot Springs School District is to be commended for engaging in this process and demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement."
School on 03/15/2015