The Mission of Catholic Education

Catholic schools exist to form young persons in Christ and in culture.  The formation in Christ entails building the capacities of each student for life with God in time and in eternity.  The formation in culture entails building the intellectual, emotional, and physical capacities of each student for responsible life in society.
 

The Philosophy of Catholic Education

Catholic school education is distinguished by religious principles, such as:

• Humans are created in the image of God.
• Christ—per Catholic Church understanding—is THE model for human living.
• The human capacity for God—our faith—and the human capacity for truth—our reason—are complementary.
• Love of God and love of neighbor are enjoined on all.
• Freedom (rights) and responsibility (duties) are ordered to each other.

Catholic school education is distinguished by professional principles, such as:

• School and parents are educational partners.
• The school engages the ‘whole person’ of the student.
• Teachers are professionally competent and personally suited to educate.
• The school commits to building the maximum learning capacities of each student.
• The student commits to working to one's maximum learning capacity (with the support of parents).

"Here is where students discover the true value of the human person: loved by God, with a mission on earth and a destiny that is immortal. As a result, they learn the virtues of self-respect and self-love, and of love for others - a love that is universal. In addition, each student will develop a willingness to embrace life, and also his or her own unique vocation, as a fulfillment of God's will."

The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School, #76

Accreditation

Accreditation is the professional verification of the quality of a school’s educational program. Each Catholic school in the Diocese of Santa Rosa is accredited jointly by two agencies: the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). WCEA - WASC Accreditation is an ongoing, rigorous, data-driven process with high standards and expectations. 

WCEA Accreditation

The Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) is a private educational accrediting agency established under the auspices of the Bishops of the Catholic (Arch)Dioceses of California. Each Member diocese has both an Elementary School and High School WCEA Commissioner who assists the school community in the preparation of a Self-Study document using an approved Protocol to examine specific aspects of school life and the extent to which they are met in this time in the school's history such as:

• Catholic Identity (the school is measured by 8 standards, i.e. prayer life, sacramental life, service projects, and the permeation of Catholic values in all aspects of school life) 
• Organization for Learning (how the school is governed and administrated)
• Curriculum and Instruction (what is learned and how it is taught)
• Support Services (Academic Counseling, Assisting Students with Special Needs, Spiritual Counseling)
• Resources (Financial and Human Resources)

A Visiting Committee spends three days with the school community after review of the Self Study document. During the three-day visit, the Committee visits classrooms, investigates the written evidence of responses to the WCEA criteria, holds interviews with the members of the school community, and prepares a written report on its findings. The Visiting Committee also writes a recommendation of an Accreditation Status based upon factors relative to the school community’s successes and growth needs. This report and recommendation is given to the WCEA Commissioner. In May of each year, the full WCEA Commission reads the reports and recommendations and votes for an Accreditation Status for each school. For more information, see: http://www.westwcea.org

WASC Accreditation

The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) is one of the six regional accrediting agencies in the United States. WASC serves over 4,600 public, independent, church-related, and proprietary pre-K–12 and adult schools, works with 18 associations (including the WCEA) in joint accreditation processes and collaborates with other organizations such as the California Department of Education (CDE). WASC helps schools identify and implement school improvement needs and supports accountability through a process that centers upon three beliefs: (1) a school’s goal is successful student learning; (2) each school has a clear purpose and schoolwide student goals; and (3) a school engages in external and internal evaluations as part of continued school improvement to support student learning. For more information, see: http://www.acswasc.org

Each of our Catholic schools is fully accredited by both WCEA and WASC!