CCA Bulletin 11.12.23

Dear Families,

Did you know that CCA is fully accredited by two different organizations? Both National Lutheran Schools Accreditation and Cognia have given us their stamp of approval. This doesn’t mean that we submit paperwork and get a certificate. Rather, our school goes through a rigorous process of review every 5 years.

We gather evidence in 7 core standards: Purpose, Relationships, Leadership, Professional Personnel, Teaching and Learning, Student Services, and Facilities. Evidence is submitted in each area during the first two-thirds of the school year, then an accreditation team of 5-6 educators and administrators comes to visit in the spring. They spend 3 full days looking at our school, talking with stakeholders, reviewing the evidence submitted, and determine if we have the required evidence needed to be accredited for another 5 years. If all evidence is present, we receive full accreditation status, but this doesn’t mean that we have nothing to work on.

Anything that we want to improve upon goes into a Self-Improvement Plan that we report on each year until the next review cycle comes due. This holds the school accountable for doing what we say we will accomplish. It is a wonderful opportunity to look closely at all of our programs and procedures and make changes along the way that will improve our school and provide continued excellence to our students and families.

The week after Thanksgiving, you will receive a survey by email that will allow you to give us feedback about your experience at CCA. We very much want your input, so please take the time to fill it out. It is part of our accreditation process and is very important to us. We always want to know about what we do well and what we can improve upon. There is no one better to tell us than you, our treasured partners in our students’ education.

In the meantime, I am always available to answer questions or concerns. Do reach out anytime!

Sherrie Gibelyou

sherrie.gibelyou@ccatacoma.org

253-389-0349