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Middle States Accreditation

Middle States Accreditation: The Process

Initial application: Submitting the application initiates the process, stating our commitment to the process, as supported by our Board of Trustees, administration, teachers and staff, and families.
 
Self-Study: Arts Academy ECS developed 2 key teams; the Leadership Team and the MSA Steering Committee. The MSA Committee consisted of a Board of Trustees representative, building administration, teachers, staff and parents. The Leadership team, consisting of AAAECS administration, under the guidance of Dr. Angelo Senese, MSA Consultant, focused on the timeline, short-term benchmarks and tasks required to complete the self study. 
 
The Self-Study requires surveys of all stakeholders, analysis of survey results centered around our school's honest reflection of our success or capacity for improvement to meet the standards as outlined below by the Middle States Association.
 
  • Mission and Philosophy
  • Governance and Leadership
  • School Improvement Planning
  • Finances
  • Facilities
  • School Climate and Organization
  • Health and Safety
  • Educational Programs
  • Assessment of Student Learning
  • Student Services
  • Student Life and Activities
  • Information Resources and Technology
 
Mission, Vision and Belief Statements: The first task the Leadership Team asked the Committee to take on was to review our Mission and Vision and to develop Belief Statements. This exercise was completed with input from all staff and families with multiple drafts presented for review until the final versions were agreed upon. The remaining Self Study was completed over the next 2 years.
 
MSA Goals: The main goal of the Self Study is to reflect upon our needs, challenges and successes and to develop goals to work on for the duration of our accreditation. As a young school only 5 years old at the time, we decided to design 5 goals, a lofty measure for this process. The goals included increasing proficiency in Reading, Writing and Math; to ensure all students gain an appreciation of the arts that maximizes their creative potential; and to ensure we as a stand-alone elementary school remain dedicated to continuous improvement.
 
Site Visit: Since our Middle States Accreditation process occurred during the pandemic, our visit was virtual. The visiting team, consisting of educators, administration and and a Middle States Association representative, reviewed all contents and attachments submitted for our Self Study; they interviewed staff, students and parents; they observed teachers in their virtual classrooms and met with groups of stakeholders. Their goal was to ascertain to what degree their interactions and perceptions aligned with what was submitted in the application and to confirm that all stakeholders share the same desire to improve. At the end of their visit, the MSA representative shared a letter she had written about her impressions of the visit and self study. She was incredibly positive and appreciative of our efforts. 
 
Accreditation! We were all very proud to learn that we were approved for a 7-year accreditation! We are committed to continually improve, reflect, adjust and refocus to ensure our goals are met!
 
 
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Our Middle States Accreditation Timeline

 

3/2021

Upon conclusion of our virtual MSA Visit, our Visiting Team Chair announced that she will be recommending Arts Academy Elementary Charter School for a full 7 year accreditation! We await official confirmation but couldn't be more proud of our school, staff, students and families!

 

2/2021

Our final self-study and all supporting evidence has been submitted! We look forward to meeting with the MSA Visiting Team March 15 - 17!

 

1/2021

Our MSA Visiting Team Chairperson and Team Members are confirmed. Finalized Action Plans are shared with the staff.

 

12/2020

AAECS Student Council creates an M.S.A., "My School is Awesome!" campaign to raise awareness for students and to encourage them to share their opinions about AAECS. The Steering Committee approves the final copy of the Action Plans.

 

11/2020

Our MSA visit is confirmed for March 15 - 17, 2021!

 

10/2020

Steering Committee discusses short and long term goals. Principal and CEO submit request for a March 2021 evaluation visit.

 

9/2020

Leadership Team meets to organize action planning groups and process.

 

8/2020

AAECS Goals pass MSA technical review for approval!

 

7/2020

Leadership Team reviews and expands upon Action Plan items.

 

6/2020

Data Team proposes Action Plan Items.

 

5/2020

Steering Committee finalizes survey analysis

Data Team finalizes baseline data analysis and goals and objectives.

 

2/2020

Leadership Team presents the Action Planning Template to Steering Committee.

Principal submits request for Evaluation Visit.

Steering Committee begins Staff Survey analysis

 

1/2020

Data Team presents goals and objectives to the Steering Committee for feedback.

Steering Committee begins Parent Survey analysis.

 

11/2019

Data Team presents draft of MSA Goals to the Leadership Team, Steering Committee for feedback.

 

10/2019

Data Team presents plan for data review and goal design.

 

09/2019

Principal proudly shares new Belief, Mission and Vision Statements to staff, parents and community!

Data Team drafts plan for MSA Goal selection.

 

08/2019

Board of Trustees reviews and approves Mission and Vision Statements.

 

07/2019

Principal shares Mission and Vision Statements with staff and parents for feedback.

 

06/2019

Board of Trustees reviews and approves Belief Statements.

 

05/2019

Steering Committee analyzes and revises Mission and Vision Statements.

Principal shares Belief Statements with staff for feedback.

 

04/2019

Leadership Team presents draft Belief Statements at 1st MSA Steering Committee Meeting.

Leadership Team drafts Mission and Vision Statements.

 

03/2019

Leadership Team seeks volunteers for MSA Steering Committee.

Leadership Team drafts Belief Statements.

 

02/2019

Staff Meeting: Announcement: MSA Application Approved! Our Work Begins!

 

01/2019

MSA Candidacy Visit at AAECS

 

11/2018

MSA Application submitted.