This month, Westfield Vocational Technical High School welcomes the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) for a comprehensive peer review of our programs, facilities and procedures. Every ten years, schools and universities in the six New England states spend one to two years on a self study that includes reflecting, analyzing and drafting reports that detail their student population, facilities and curriculum. Staff, students, parents, and program advisory members at WVTHS completed our self study last school year. Our peers from other schools across the region will review our work and observe our practices from October 27 until October 30. The visit by this team of our colleagues completes this intensive and meticulous process and results in the continued formal accreditation of Westfield Vocational Technical High School by NEASC.
NEASC is the oldest educational accreditation organization in the United States, and its seal of accreditation ensures that schools are promoting quality education based on established standards that define the qualities of good schools and educational practices. Undergoing the self evaluation and peer review process ensures that our school is adhering to these standards. Our accreditation review kicks off on October 27 with a Welcome Dinner for the visiting committee put on by our Culinary Arts staff and students. Then, over the course of the next few days, the visiting committee reads the self-evaluation reports written by our faculty and staff, and tours our facility to observe and verify the self-study’s findings through an on-site evaluation process.
Undergoing the NEASC process is a testament to Westfield Vocational Technical High School’s commitment to improving its offerings, teaching practices, procedures, and facilities. All of the faculty and staff at WVTHS look forward to improving our school via the final recommendations of the NEASC visiting team. We also will celebrate what we do well with the team’s commendations. For more information on the NEASC accreditation process, please visit http://cpss.neasc.org/about-accreditation/.
Stefan Czaporowski
Principal
Westfield Vocational Technical High School
