BEVERLY — A team of 15 people from the New England Association of Schools & Colleges came to Beverly High School for three days last week to review the school and its effectiveness. The association is responsible for accrediting New England schools, visiting each school only once every 10 years.
The visit "went very well," said Marie Galinski, the Beverly schools superintendent. "We're looking forward to a very positive report. There were no surprises. I think we did a good job identifying our strengths and things we need to improve."
Beverly High School is one of just nine schools in Massachusetts that is currently on probationary status from NEASC, meaning shape up or face losing accreditation. That status stems from the last time a team from NEASC visited Beverly. The main factor for the demerit was the poor condition of the school building itself.
"We figured we probably have that under control" this time, Galinski said.
During the Thanksgiving recess, teachers will move their classrooms into the new $80 million building adjacent to the old school, which was built in large part in response to NEASC's last visit. Students will begin classes in the new building Nov. 30.
NEASC's latest report on Beverly High will be released sometime in January, and it will vote on accreditation sometime in March, Galinski said. The report will include recommendations for the school to improve going forward. No matter how well a school is performing or how well it meets standards, there are always at least a few recommendations, Galinski said.
"This is meant to be a continuous improvement process," Galinski said.
Accreditation is important for school districts because it not only reflects on the community and quality of education, but it has real implications for being awarded grants, and for students who want to go to college, she said.
"If a student applies to college from Beverly High School and the school has lost accreditation, it may impact that student's acceptance," Galinski said. "The school may wonder if that student is ready for college."
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