March 2007 Update

St. Mary's School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).  Our school was originally accredited in 2000, and re-accredited following a Quality Assurance Review Team visit in September 2005.  The accreditation process involved three major areas:  meeting Standards for accreditation, engaging in Continuous Improvement, and demonstrative Quality Assurance.

Four goal areas are being addressed at St. Mary's School during this five-year accreditation cycle:

Students in all grade levels will improve in mathematical computation and problem-solving.

• Implementation of the new Diocesan math curriculum
• Implementation of the new math textbook series
• Implementation of the Math Fact Mastery Program
• Continued implementation of the Accelerated Math program for grades 4-8

Students in all grade levels will improve in written communication.

• Implementation of the new Diocesan writing curriculum
• Integrate 6+1 Trait Writing in all grade levels
• Implement a yearly writing assessment

St. Mary's students and staff will model positive, responsible behavior in a peaceful school environment.

• Adopt an interpersonal skills/communication program for St. Mary's students (Peace Builders)
• Provide Peace Builders training for faculty/staff, parents and volunteers
• Implement Peace Builders program

Students will acquire knowledge of technology pertinent to the time and compatible to the everyday needs of students their age.

• Implement technology curriculum based on grade level National & State Technology Standards for grades K-2
• Keyboarding classes for grades 2-8
• PowerPoint instruction for middle school students
• Computer Instruction for faculty and staff

The goals have written improvement plans with specific interventions and action steps to be addressed each year.  Committees have been assigned to oversee the implementation of the written improvement plans.

In addition to focusing on the above goals, the faculty, staff and administration are addressing recommendations made by the Quality Assurance Review Team.  These recommendations were developed after thorough review of our SMS school improvement plan, examination of our evidence in meeting the standards and interviews with faculty, staff, parents and students during the site visit.

The complete accreditation document and school improvement plan are available for review in the SMS library.