Belle Chasse Academy received commendations for meeting and/or exceeding accreditation standards and for earning the highest ranking, “highly functional,” in all categories during its AdvancED initial accreditation visit on January 18 and 19.

The rating of “highly functional” was attributed to all seven AdvanceED Standards for quality: Vision and Purpose, Governance and Leadership, Teaching and Learning, Documenting and Using Results, Resources and Support Systems, Stakeholder Communications and Relationships, and Commitment to Continuous Improvement. An assessment of “highly functional” is defined by AdvancED: “The school is exceptional in its demonstration of the standard and exhibits practices not commonly found in other schools. A small percentage of schools have standards ratings at this level.”

AdvancED is the world’s largest education community, serving more than 27,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States and in 69 countries that educate over 15 million students.

As the global leader in advancing education excellence through accreditation and school improvement, AdvancED brings together more than 100 years of experience and the expertise of the two largest US-based accreditation agencies — the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). For more information about AdvancED visit www.advance-ed.org.

In their oral exit report to the full staff, the Quality Assurance Review Team offered the following specific commendations for Belle Chasse Academy:

• The clear articulation and full endorsement by all stakeholders of the mission of the school clearly defines the direction of the school and its decisions in all areas; stakeholders are provided meaningful opportunities to advance the mission.

• The school leadership has established an effective organizational structure defined by sound personnel placement and development, effectual financial management, efficient communication methods, collaborative working relationships among stakeholders, data-driven decision making, and delivery of abundant resources in support of teaching and learning.

• The staff provides a high-quality, standards-based instructional program that integrates assessment and teaching/learning and is delivered with research-based teaching strategies; the school demonstrates verifiable growth in student performance.

The Chair of the review team lauded the staff for being part of a school that is “one of the best, not just in the area, but in the nation.” The school community was also reminded that accreditation is not just recognition of a job well-done. It is, additionally, a commitment to continuous school improvement and growth.

The AdvancED Quality Assurance Review Team will forward its commendations recommendation of accreditation to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).

Belle Chasse Academy is a Type 2 charter school, chartered by the Board of Secondardy and Elementary Education. Operational since the 2002-2003 school year, Belle Chasse Academy annually serves over 1,100 K-8 students in the greater New Orleans area, the majority of which are dependent children of active-duty military parents. The school is located on Naval Air Station/Joint Reserve Base, New Orleans in Belle Chasse, LA. For more information about the school, visit www.bellechasseacademy.org.