> Middle States Accreditation

Recommendation for Full Accreditation

We are very pleased to report that, after spending 3.5 days evaluating our school (February 11–14), the Middle States Validation Team recommended that Thurgood Marshall Academy receive full accreditation!

The recommendation of full accreditation provides a clear declaration of the strength of our school program and opens up new and exciting opportunities for our students. Specifically, our students’ college applications will be strengthened by the school’s status as an accredited institution; students will have access to a greater pool of financial aid resources; and students will be able to participate in a wider variety of competitive pre-college summer programs.

Throughout the Validation Team’s visit—during which they met with students, parents, teachers, staff, and Board members—Team members shared how impressed they were by our school. During the final report, which was presented on the last day of the visit, the Chair of the Validation Team commended our school’s climate of safety, our focus on college preparation and democratic engagement, our portfolio process, our facilities and financial management, and most of all, our commitment to student achievement. As the Team Chair stated, “the commitment to achievement is a prevailing and pervasive theme throughout the Thurgood Marshall Academy community.”

Thank You to the Planning Team

A special thank you to the Accreditation Planning Team members who facilitated our school’s accreditation process:

Kena Allison (Science Teacher)
Shamus Brady (Special Education Teacher)
Julie Clarenbach (Development Director)
Juanita Deval-Gil (Parent)
Julie Dougherty (School-wide Projects Associate)
Savanaa Flakes (Special Education Teacher)
Christol Flowers (Student)
Tracy Foster (Chief of Staff)
Abdi Hashi (Student)
Keisha Hutchinson (Quality Assurance Manager)
Kinny Jeng (Alumni Coordinator)
Yasmine Julien (Assistant Director of Curriculum & Instruction)
Dana Krein (Lower-Grade Level Dean)
Kim Lijana (College Counselor)
Beverly McKnight (Parent)
Alexandra Pardo (Academic Director)
Jacquelyn Patterson (Student)
David Schlossman (Chief Operating Officer)
Jessica Sher (Programs Director)
Sheri Williams (Parent)

Middle States Accreditation Process

Thurgood Marshall Academy began our Middle States Accreditation process in October 2006. It was at this time that the Executive Director of the Middle States Association visited our campus to learn more about the school program and to meet with stakeholders. After this initial review, the school was granted candidacy for accreditation.

In the following months, the school community engaged in an intense study of our compliance with the 12 standards for accreditation using the Accreditation for Growth protocol. A team of over 20 stakeholders—including students, parents, teachers, staff, and administrators—took the lead in facilitating this self study process.

In the spring of 2007, the school developed two student performance objectives centered on the school’s mission; the objectives are 1) to prepare students to succeed in college, and 2) to prepare students to actively engage in our democratic society. Action plans that outline the strategies and action steps we will take to meet these objectives were then developed by various members of the school community, including all faculty and staff members.

On February 11–14, 2008, we welcomed a team of five educators who were commissioned by the Middle States Association to evaluate the school. The evaluators reviewed our accreditation self study results, met with stakeholders, observed instruction, and made a positive recommendation on our accreditation status.

In fall of 2008, the Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Secondary Schools is expected to make an official accreditation decision based on the Validation Team’s recommendation. We look forward to sharing the official decision with supporters and keeping you informed of our accreditation progress.

Why is Accreditation Important?

The accreditation process is designed to foster excellence and ongoing growth and development. Specifically, the process:

Facilitates school improvement through the development of specific, measurable goals;
Fosters stakeholder commitment; and
Provides a means for public accountability and external validation.

Attaining accreditation will provide confirmation to our stakeholders and the broader community that Thurgood Marshall Academy meets rigorous, internationally recognized standards of educational quality.

What is the Accreditation for Growth Protocol?

There are a number of protocols that schools can use for the accreditation process. Thurgood Marshall Academy has elected to use the Accreditation for Growth protocol because of its emphasis on producing strategic outcomes.

The Accreditation for Growth protocol is uniquely focused on:

Student performance and growth;
Sustaining a culture of accountability in student performance;
Ongoing planning and monitoring; and
A commitment to continuous improvement and involvement of representative stakeholders.

Questions about Accreditation?

If you have questions about Thurgood Marshall Academy’s accreditation process, please contact Tracy Foster, Chief of Staff, at (202) 563-6862 x107 or by e-mail.