Houlton High Times writer
Have you noticed that our school is undergoing many changes?
That’s because there have been many additions to the classroom that you can easily find our school’s mission statement which was craftily designed on a poster by our very own Mrs. [Wendy] Lewis. There are ever-changing improvements to our school resources and our curriculum. And, while you many not be able to see some of the changes, they are there and very prevalent. The committee visiting our school is known as New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). They will be visiting the school March 9 to 12. NEASC will be judging us on many different aspects, as well as, on seven major standards. After the visit, NEASC will be writing detailed reports on what they saw, heard and experienced.
The accreditation committee has been working hard at this since the beginning of last year’s school year. Staff, students and administrators have put in many hard hours to make sure that everything will be set for the March date.
“Everyone has been doing great work, and its been very time consuming,” stated head of the accreditation committee, Joe Fagnant.
Accreditation is a big issue for everyone in the school — even students.
When applying to colleges, the university will indeed look to see if your high school was accredited. The college is more likely to consider an application from an accredited high school. Accreditation shows the college, the state, and anyone else, that we, as a school, have met high standards.
So, when it comes to accreditation, there are many things that the student body has done and still can do to help. Quite a few of the students are part of the accreditation committee. Then, when the NEASC comes, many students will be interviewed and some will be shadowed by a member. Everyone can play a role simply by showing the high standards of Houlton High School in our everyday tasks.
