Two New Accreditations. Principal Allan Dueck announced that Bethany Christian Schools has earned dual accreditation from the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and from Mennonite Education Agency (MEA). Bethany continues to be fully-accredited by Indiana Department of Education, as it has been since the school's inception in 1954.

"Accreditation demonstrates to our students, parents, and community that we are focused on student achievement, providing a safe and enriching learning environment, and maintaining an efficient and effective operation staffed by highly qualified educators," stated Principal Dueck. "Accreditation by these two bodies assures parents that the school is meeting or surpassing nationally-accepted standards for quality and Mennonite Church USA criteria for Christian education."

To earn accreditation, a Quality Assurance Review Team (QART) of educational professionals representing both accrediting bodies visited the school and verified that Bethany meets both NCA CASI and MEA's high standards and is operating with institutional integrity-fulfilling its vision and mission for its students. Bethany was judged to be highly functional or operational in all seven standards for accreditation: vision and purpose, governance and leadership, teaching and learning, documenting and using results, resource and support systems, stakeholder communications and relationships, and commitment to continuous improvement. Based on their review, QART issued four commendations on school performance and one recommendation for improvement.

QART commended Bethany for consistently fostering a learning community, noting that "the nurturing environment and committed staff members create an atmosphere for optimal student achievement." More specifically the team commended faculty for integrating student learning and faith in all curricular areas on a consistent basis and the school administration for hiring quality faculty, motivating students, maintaining a small school size, and encouraging a supportive and caring environment.

Second, QART commended Bethany for maximizing student success. The team noted that students consistently perform well on standardized tests and upon entering college are known for their skills in writing and articulating their beliefs. Parents often express satisfaction on students' learning supported by an integration of strong faith values.

Third, QART commended Bethany for demonstrating a strong commitment to Anabaptist-Mennonite education and distinctives in blending academic excellence with Christian faith-integration that provides opportunities for students to both achieve and prepare for a life of discipleship and service.

Fourth, QART commended Bethany for exemplary efforts in completing "Validating the Vision," a comprehensive self-assessment that provides a baseline to measure future effectiveness. All stakeholder groups, including community members not affiliated with the school, contributed in part fort he report.

The school began the self-assessment and accreditation process as part of its strategic plan in October 2006. Other components of the strategic plan included establishing two fast-track initiatives in fall 2007, creating a set of foundation documents, and establishing an action plan. The Fast Track Team created a school-wide communication/marketing plan and established a Leadership Development Program that provides goals, teaching tools, and evaluation of skills for students in leadership roles.

Representatives of stakeholder groups met in several visioning events in 2007 to help create a set of foundation documents: mission statement, vision, core values, and graduate profile. And as part of the self-assessment, the school developed an action plan, which among other priorities, included conducting an alumni survey, reviewing the music program, and implementing the Ophelia Project to help middle school students build respectful and compassionate relationships.

Finally, QART recommended that the school, as it has done for state accreditation in the past, implement an annual student-focused school improvement plan. The administration will meet with JoAnn Roscoe, QART chair and Director of School Improvement for East Allen County Schools, to begin designing this plan.