Last week the Western Association of Schools and Colleges people–also known as “WASC”– were on Colton High school campus to visit our school. Led by Dr. Moohay Ahn Choe, a retired Assistant Principal from Chatsworth, the eight member committee visited each classroom, evaluating every class to make sure they saw general expectations of performance and quality. Many students didn’t know that they were going to be on campus this week– nothing was said to us students. Many asked what WASC was all about. It’s the affairs administered by a board of directors composed of representatives from three commissions
- Accrediting commissions for senior colleges and universities
- Accrediting commission for community and junior colleges
- Accrediting commission for schools
WASC visiting committee member Charles Mazet, an Assistant Principal from Indio, entered my Renaissance classroom. He asked what we did for the school, and what we do to try and help the school out. We explained that we hold academic assemblies for the 3.0 and above GPA. He asked if we felt safe here at school, we said yes, compared to last year, we feel 50 % safer.
“I thought that, overall, it was a good experience,” said Principal Amanda Corridan. “What they had to report back to us will be very helpful for the future of Colton High. It was a long three days, but in the end, the process really helped us to come together as a staff and school.”
During the three day campus visit, we had a different scanned event happening; for example, Monday was Dress for Success, Tuesday was Colton Pride Day (sport your Colton High spirit), Wednesday was College Apparel day. That went well– a lot of people participated.
The only reason I knew that WASC was here was that if our school got accredited then our graduation diplomas would actually mean something. If we didn’t , they actually won’t mean anything. To be clear, our school did get accredited, the visiting committee was pleased at what was happening as they came to visit. Our school showed great pride, and our principal agreed.
“I’m very proud of Colton High School,” Corridan remarked as the committee packed up to leave. “CHS showed its pride in being Yellowjackets. WASC was also very proud of our school spirit.”
The full report written by the WASC committee, along with our length of accreditation, will be released in several weeks.
