Accreditation - SACS CASI

Accreditation is a voluntary method of evaluating, verifying, and improving an institution’s quality. Holy Spirit Regional Catholic School has been accredited since 1998 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Founded in 1895, this organization accredits schools and school systems in 30 states, the Navajo Nation, the Department of Defense Schools and Latin America. Holy Spirit Regional Catholic School is a member of the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama, a school system which stimulates and supports improvement and effectiveness throughout the system.

In order for schools to be accredited, each must meet high standards that are research-based and apply to all schools within the 30-state region. These schools must also engage in continuous improvement and demonstrate quality assurance through external review. “The standards require that a school has a clear vision and purpose; has effective and responsive leadership; has a rigorous curriculum taught through sound, research-based methods; collects, reports, and uses performance results; provides adequate resources and support for its educational programs; and values and communicates with its stakeholders.” Considering and applying the standards listed, the school’s Leadership Team (SLT) at Holy Spirit Regional Catholic School implements an ongoing improvement plan, Constructing Foundations for Spiritual and Academic Success.

The primary focus of the school’s Leadership Team is continuous school improvement. Since 1998, the SLT has been entrusted with the responsibility to ensure that Holy Spirit Regional Catholic School is in compliance with the standards imposed by SACS CASI, and to prepare and organize the school’s faculty and staff to update and write the school’s improvement plan. Hence the team meets regularly to review, critique, and update or revise actions implemented.

Promoted by SACS, the Diocese requires that the SLT evaluate the progress of the school’s continuous improvement using the Standardized Assessment Report (SAR) annually. Every five years, a quality review team (QAR) from the Diocese visits and recommends the school for re-accreditation.

For more information regarding SACS accreditation, please go to the accreditation web site.