After three days spent scrutinizing minutiae from programs, to teaching practices, to work ethic, to student attitude, representatives from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) rained compliments on Gilroy High School \u2013 a campus with \u201ca collegiality that is not often seen at every high school.\u201d
\nAs one of six regional accrediting associations in the U.S., WASC regularly visits colleges, universities, junior colleges and K-12 schools to help them \u201cmeaningfully create the highest quality learning experience they can envision for all students.\u201d
\nThe ongoing voluntary checkup process is founded on the \u201cexpectation that schools must be worthy of the trust placed in them to provide high quality learning opportunities,\u201d and ensuring that educational institutions stay continually focused on the \u201ccritical business of continual self-improvement,\u201d according to the WASC website.
\nIf the WASC review given Wednesday afternoon at GHS is any indication of a commitment to excellence, the Mustang family clearly left an impression on their guests.
\n\u201cWould I want my daughter going to GHS? The answer is an easy \u2018yes,\u2019\u201d said Craig Green, a WASC committee member and visiting English teacher from Rio Linda Senior High School in Sacramento County. \u201cYou have a good thing going on it was a true pleasure to be here these last few days.\u201d
\nThe six-member committee highlighted \u201ccollegiality\u201d among staff members; the \u201cunbelievable\u201d collaboration with parents; the \u201cimpressive work spirit;\u201d the \u201cphenomenal\u201d music program; the large number of available AP courses; the recent creation of the Mustang Professional Development Team; a caring attitude displayed by teachers for the well-being of their students; and the wide variety of electives and Regional Occupation Classes still offered at GHS \u2013 an element that, in these days of severe state budget cuts, is becoming rare commodity.
\n\u201cYour kids have the opportunities to get real-life experience. I thought that was exciting,\u201d said Green. \u201cYou have many different types of programs for many different types of people…it makes them want to do well in core academic classes.\u201d
\nAs for areas GHS needs to continually focus on improving, the WASC committee suggested strengthening communication \u201cwith all stakeholders;\u201d developing a standard program of issuing textbooks on a rotation cycle; improving student performance; ensuring active and consistent involvement with the School Site Council; and increasing high interest teaching strategies.
\nGHS Principal Marco Sanchez says he expects to hear back from WASC by the end of April or May regarding the high school\u2019s accreditation term.
\nSanchez is predicting a six-year term accreditation with a midterm review in three years.
\nThis is the second best form of WASC accreditation a school can receive; the first being a six-year term with no midterm review.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
After three days spent scrutinizing minutiae from programs, to teaching practices, to work ethic, to student attitude, representatives from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) rained compliments on Gilroy High School \u2013 a campus with \u201ca collegiality that is not often seen at every high school.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":773,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":""},"categories":[214,217],"tags":[2972,4796,7391,12606],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n