As part of our ongoing commitment to academic and spiritual excellence, St. Mary's Catholic School participates in the accreditation process through the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). This is a standard part of every Catholic school's regular six-year accreditation cycle, and it reflects our commitment to continuous growth on behalf of our students.
St. Mary's Catholic School Moscow Self Study Accreditation Document 2022
What Is WCEA/WASC Accreditation?
WCEA and WASC are two respected accrediting organizations. WCEA focuses specifically on the quality of Catholic education, while WASC accredits schools of all types — public and private — to ensure a high-quality learning environment.
Every six years, an independent team of educators conducts an external review of the school's performance in four key areas:
- Mission and Catholic Identity
- Academic Excellence
- Leadership and Governance
- Operational Vitality
How the Process Works
Self-Study.
The school conducts an in-depth self-assessment, reflecting on our strengths, our areas for growth, and our goals for the future. This gives us — and the visiting committee — a clear, evidence-based picture of where we stand.
Visiting Committee.
A team of experienced educators visits the school to observe classrooms, meet with teachers, staff, students, and parents, and review our self-study report.
Feedback and Accreditation Status.
The visiting committee provides feedback and determines our accreditation status, typically granted for six years with a mid-term review at the three-year mark. Accreditation isn't a pass/fail test — it's based on the school's honest use of evidence to identify strengths and growth areas, paired with an action plan aligned to those findings.
Ongoing Improvement.
Accreditation isn't a one-time event. It's a continuous cycle: we act on the committee's recommendations and regularly assess our own progress in between visits.
Why Accreditation Matters
- Accountability — it holds us to the highest standards of academic and spiritual formation.
- Improvement — the self-study and outside evaluation surface real opportunities to strengthen the student experience.
- Recognition — accreditation is a mark of quality recognized by colleges, universities, and employers, ensuring our students' work is valued wherever they go next.
How Families Are Involved
Parent voice is a critical part of the self-study. During our accreditation cycle, families will be asked to complete a short survey provided by WCEA. A summary of results is shared with the school community, and the full results are reviewed by the visiting committee as part of their evaluation.
Specific survey dates and details for this accreditation cycle will be announced closer to the time.
Questions about the accreditation process are always welcome — please reach out to the school office anytime.
Dr. Marie Bordeleau, Principal