From April 22-25, 2024, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) conducted its six-year accreditation visit at SISC, assessing the institution’s quality and standards, following its Mid-Cycle Visit in 2021 and the last accreditation granted in 2018.
The WASC Committee consisted of Dr. Christos Perez, Chairman and Headmaster of the Ivy Collegiate Academy; Mr. Christian Choquette, Founding Principal of Hsinchu International Academy; Mrs. Laura Brown, Elementary Teacher in American School in Taichung; Mr. Jim French, Elementary Principal of Korea International School; and Dr. Jim O'Malley, Head of School of Ruamrudee International School.
During their four-day visit, the WASC Committee toured the school, evaluating both faculty members and students to gain comprehensive insights into the school’s operations. They inspected various school facilities, interviewed students and parents about their experiences with the school and its teachers, and observed classroom sessions to assess the quality of teaching and the effectiveness of the educational platforms in use.
The committee also interacted with teachers to gather their feedback on the overall school environment. Additionally, the committee reviewed academic programs, extracurricular activities, and counseling services to ensure they meet the standards required for accreditation.
Francis Granaderos, Basketball Varsity Captain, says that he was interviewed with other varsity members about the varsity curriculum. He recalled, “It was a great experience to talk to the WASC interviewers and I look forward to future talks with them.”
Meanwhile, Volleyball Varsity Captain Chiara Peñera said, “We felt comfortable enough to open up to them about our concerns and it wasn’t nerve-wracking at all.”
'Truly commendable'
On April 25, 2024, SISC hosted the 2024 WASC Accreditation Closing Program in the Luxembourg Hall, with Minami Oikawa and Matthew Mariano as the event’s hosts. The program provided the school an opportunity to express their gratitude to the accreditation committee for their time and evaluation of the school.
The WASC Committee also offered their feedback through a presentation that addressed the school’s different aspects, including its strengths and weaknesses. This encompassed various areas such as school purpose, governance, leadership, staff, school improvement process, resources, curriculum, instruction, assessment, student support, school culture, child protection, parent and community involvement, and residential life.
Furthermore, the accreditors underscored the school’s general strengths, such as its commitment to offering hybrid and online learning opportunities. They also identified areas for improvement, such as the lack of smoke and gas detectors in many of the school’s facilities.
During the event, SISC highlighted the importance of the WASC Committee’s visit and their contributions to the school’s continuous improvement. “Throughout this accreditation visit, our accreditors have provided us with invaluable insights, feedback, and recommendations that will help guide our journey toward excellence. Their dedication to ensuring the quality and integrity of our institution is truly commendable,” said Matthew Mariano.
SISC is currently awaiting the results of the accreditation, hoping that it would renew the school’s six-year status as a WASC-accredited international school.
WASC has been recognized as a symbol of educational excellence globally for exactly sixty years now. Their accreditation represents schools’ dedication in giving students access to high-level, rigorous learning opportunities by equipping students with the essential tools and skills for academic and career success.
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