An emphasis on the school’s Expected School-wide Learning Results (ESLR’s), filling portfolios and completing self studies can only mean one thing – preparation for the WASC review.  WASC representatives will be  visiting  Bethel’s campus March 8-11.

“It is a great opportunity for our school to see how we have excelled and how we can grow.”  – WASC Coordinator Mrs. Jennifer Simonds

WASC stands for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. This organization accredits both public and  private schools as well as colleges and universities of the Western United States.

WASC’s original purpose was to encourage the standardization of secondary school programs. Its purpose now is to confirm excellence in education and to make sure schools are intent on improving.

Three representatives will be present to observe classes and evaluate the school based on its self-study. The representatives will make recommendations on how to improve the school’s programs and validate the school’s existence.

“It (WASC review) is a great opportunity for our school to see how we have excelled and how we can grow,” said WASC Coordinator Mrs. Jennifer Simonds.

Administration, faculty and staff   have all been preparing for this WASC visit for quite some time.   The teachers have gathered information on parent committees, collected evidence of the programs at Bethel and formed student portfolios.

Students have also prepared for the coming of WASC representatives by ensuring a clean campus, adding to portfolios and being attentive to the ESLR’s. Last year, the students took periodic surveys for Bethel’s self-study.

Chau Nguyen, seventh grade, is eager about the WASC visit  “knowing that we’re going to have a clean campus.” Freshman David Wright said that he believed the most valuable benefit of the WASC review is that “we (Bethel) get continued accreditation.”

Accreditation is important to any school because it impacts a student’s access to colleges, universities and future career opportunities.

The school’s website contains Bethel’s ESLR’s as well as the self-study and is available to the public.