This past week, students may have noticed new faces walking around on campus, observing classes, and talking to students and teachers.
These officials are a part of WASC, or the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, which visits high schools to ensure their educational accreditation—and students’ high school diplomas—are still valid. This assessment, which takes place every six years, influences future classes, policies, and strategies for teachers and administration.
Leading up to their appearance on campus, teachers prepared their classrooms, lessons, and students by writing lesson plans on the board and briefing students. “We had to do a lot of work as a staff to prepare for WASC, and so it definitely took a lot of time and effort, but it was worth it,” math teacher Laurel Simons said.
English teacher Susie Choe was in charge of the operation, overseeing the creation of the report that was submitted to the WASC committee. She also coordinated accommodation, food, and any other needs to ensure the visitors were comfortable and prepared.
During their examination, WASC officials attended a wide variety of classes in order to understand how teachers and students interact. They also pulled some students out of their classes to ask them questions about their education and overall school satisfaction. “We meet with teacher focus groups, parent focus groups, board groups, and district office students,” Joe Martinez, WASC official and Pacific Law Academy Principal, said.
WASC officials met with teachers and administrators in the library to debrief their findings after school on Wednesday. The findings were overwhelmingly positive. “I had one of the warmest feelings I’ve had on a campus. This is one hell of a school,” WASC visitor Bob Micheals, lecturer at Santa Clara University, said.
M-A’s diverse course offerings were praised multiple times, including its Woodshop, Leadership, and Digital Communications & Streaming classes. “The course offerings are mind-blowing,” WASC visitor Katherine Handschuh, a teacher at Lincoln High School in San Jose, said.
Students’ positive attitudes toward learning were equally emphasized, as WASC officials noted students were engaged and dedicated in the classes they observed. “Students want to do well for themselves and for you,” Handschuh told staff. Officials also praised students’ compliance with teachers’ direction, with Martinez jokingly remarking about the rarity of seeing a whole freshman class dressed in uniform for P.E.
WASC visitors said the students they interviewed mentioned appreciation for M-A’s diversity and social opportunities. The committee highlighted the ease with which students can get involved in campus activities and find their place, especially through clubs and sports.
The officials noted unique aspects of M-A they said they don’t typically find on other campuses. They celebrated the prom dress drive as an example of staff supporting students to create a sense of belonging. They also highlighted PAWS for the accessibility of mental health resources on campus. They were impressed by the lack of phone usage in class, recognizing social connection and general focus.
Teacher and staff dedication to curriculum and campus maintenance was another major point in the presentation. They spoke about teachers’ commitment to students and their ability to create a space of belonging.
The officials noted a couple of areas of improvement, including strengthening middle school articulation from feeder schools, making more consistent grading scales and assessments between teachers of the same subject, and expanding curricular offerings to allow opportunities in CTE pathways and non-degree post-secondary options. They said some students commented on the traffic accumulated by the parking lot and the difficulty of making it to class on time with only five-minute passing periods. However, the officials emphasized that these are not major issues, but rather opportunities for growth.
While the visiting committee could not yet share a definitive answer about M-A’s exact accreditation results, they quelled any fears regarding the official decision with their positivity toward the school. “To conclude, it was a great visit. Wow, what a community,” Martinez said.
