The Office of Catholic Education has announced that the Western Association for Schools and Colleges has granted a two year accreditation for Fa’asao Marist High School with the next re-visit to be in 2020.
Director of Catholic Education, Brother Christopher Popwell said, “Ideally, accreditation with WASC is for 6 years, with a re-visit done after 3 years to check progress.
“After the recent visitation, accreditation was given for just 2 years, called “probationary” because of significant changes needed in the format of the school’s self-review.
Brother Christopher said changed reporting requirements were introduced in 2016, but the school was unaware of these changes and therefore the review was considered incomplete.
“It means a re-visit will be done in 2 years (instead of 3) and a new report done before then, incorporating the needed changes,” he said.
Faasao Marist High School was the only private high school which underwent an accreditation review during the WASC visit in May.
High school diplomas issued during the probationary term are still recognized. Other local high schools and the ASCC were also put on probation by WASC in previous reviews.
Manu’a, Tafuna, Fagaitua and Leone high schools were also reviewed and Director of Education dr. Ruth Matagi Tofiga has publicly announced the results for Manu’a, Tafuna and Fagaitua…they are all accredited for six years.
Up to now the DOE Director has not responded to questions about Leone High School’s WASC review.
