In October 2011 Marian High School underwent a re-accreditation survey by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).  Marian was granted continued accreditation.  Below is a brief summarization of the report from the NEASC:

Marian High School was notified on November 21, 2011 that it had been granted continued accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Accreditation indicates that the school meets or exceeds criteria determined by a peer group review process. An accredited school or college is one which has the necessary resources available to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Accreditation indicates institutional integrity.

In the cover letter announcing the decision, William Bennett, the Director of the Commission on Independent Schools, stated that “The Commission commends the school for its notable, positive, vibrant community that worked so well with the Visiting Team, and for the dynamic changes the current leadership has brought to the school, as well as the productive relationship that has grown between the Board of Trustees and the Administration.”

The Report of the Visiting Team of the NEASC consisted of a review of a Self-Study conducted by the school coupled with its own evaluation of compliance with the Standards of Accreditation. The Standards represent the “best practices” as determined by the most recent research. The Report offers the subject school both commendations and recommendations.

Below is a small but representative sample of the Team’s commendations to Marian HS:

• “…for its commitment to Christian service…”
• “…Marian’s commitment to high levels of achievement in all areas…”
• “…commends the administration …for being enthusiastic, committed, dedicated to the mission of the school.”
• “…on the dedication of its faculty to provide an intellectual and engaging program, demonstrated by their willingness to support their students through the multiple roles they play as teachers, mentors and coaches.”
• “…for creating and sustaining an environment of respect among students, faculty, staff and administration. There is a genuine appreciation of diversity that enhances the educational experience of each student.”
• “…Marian’s administration and faculty for their accessibility and responsiveness to parent questions, needs, and/or concerns.”

In addition to commendations for the work being done, the Team also made recommendations for continued improvement. A requirement of the process ensures that each school be involved in working throughout the ten-year cycle by responding to valid recommendations from the Commission and from the evaluation report. It was encouraging to the Marian community that the large majority of recommendations were consistent with its own Self-Study.

Specific recommendations included:

All recommendations are required to be addressed in a Two-Year Interim Evaluation Report which is due in October, 2013. The Administration at Marian is already planning and organizing for this process of continuous improvement.