20 OCT 2026
Respect, Responsibility and Resourcefulness
Dear St. Mary's Families,
I am excited to share that St. Mary's Catholic School has begun the accreditation process with the Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Accredited Catholic schools in our region go through this review every six years. It is a wonderful opportunity for our whole school community to reflect on who we are, celebrate what we do well, and plan for where God is calling us to grow.
In this letter, I want to explain what this process involves, why it matters for your children, and how we will need your help.
What Is WCEA/WASC Accreditation?
WCEA accredits Catholic schools in the western United States. It works together with WASC, which accredits public and private schools across the region. Together, they make sure a school provides an excellent education rooted in its mission and, for us, in our Catholic faith.
Every six years, an independent team of educators reviews our school using the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools (NSBECS). These national standards describe what an excellent Catholic school looks like, and Catholic schools nationwide use them. The NSBECS include thirteen standards organized into four areas:
Mission and Catholic Identity
Governance and Leadership
Academic Excellence
Operational Vitality
Our self-study will examine how St. Mary's lives out each of these standards. Every faculty and staff member serves on a committee for one of these four areas, so this is truly a whole-school effort.
The Accreditation Process
Self-Study. Over the coming months, our faculty, staff, families, and students will take an honest look at St. Mary's: our strengths, areas for growth, and future goals. We will use the NSBECS benchmarks to gather evidence, including student learning data, surveys, and classroom work, and to reflect on what we find.
Visit from the Accreditation Team. A team of experienced Catholic school educators will visit St. Mary's in [season and year]. They will observe classes, meet with teachers, staff, students, and parents, and review our self-study.
Feedback and Action Plan. The team will share feedback and recommend our accreditation term, typically six years with a mid-cycle review after three. Accreditation is not a test we pass or fail. It is based on how well we use evidence to understand ourselves and build an action plan for growth.
Ongoing Improvement. Accreditation is not a one-time event. Our action plan will guide our work in the years ahead, and we will regularly check our progress.
Why This Matters for Our Children
Accountability. Accreditation holds St. Mary's to high standards in both academics and faith formation, so your children receive an education that forms their minds and their hearts.
Growth. The self-study helps us see clearly where we can improve the learning experience for every student. Each child is made in the image and likeness of God and deserves our very best.
Recognition. Accreditation shows that St. Mary's meets recognized national standards of quality, which matters as our students move on to high school and beyond.
How You Can Help
Your voice is essential to our self-study and we need feedback from all families. WCEA provides a family survey, and your honest feedback will help shape our report and future plans. We will share a summary of the results with the St. Mary's community, and the full results, including comments, with the visiting team. Please complete the survey by NOVEMBER 6.
Thank you for your partnership and for the trust you place in St. Mary's. I look forward to sharing updates with you throughout this year as we grow together in faith and learning. If you have any questions about the accreditation process, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
Dr. Marie Bordeleau