HE TANDARD T SFrom the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools Fall 2013 What is the value of Accreditation? INSIDE THIS ISSUE: It’s about getting things done! What is the value of Message from the President Henry G. Cram Ed.D Accreditation? It’s What have you been able to get done? about getting things As president of the Middle States Association’s Commissions on The accreditation process helps keep done! Elementary and Secondary Schools our best intentions front and center and increases the probability that we The Berkeley I am often asked about the value of accreditation. The short answer can will realize them. Institute be found in the results of our most It’s about organization recent member survey in which 91% Standards for of the respondents reported that Sometimes it’s a matter of knowing Accreditation for accreditation improved their school’s how to get things done. Having a plan Schools Revised performance. But the added value is that builds a critical mass of individuals 2013 much more than that. The accreditation within the school who not only agree process is a catalyst for change on what it is that needs to be done but Fall 2013 and improvement; an organizational also have the skills needed to get it structure for getting things done; and done is essential. The accreditation Accreditation process helps develop that consensus, Actions a system of accountability that builds public support and sustains continuous provides the organizational framework Sister Shaun improvement. for action and provides the knowledge Thomas Callahan- and skills needed to get things done. I’m not just the president of CESS. Sustaining Before coming to work at Middle States, It’s about support Excellence in I served as a teacher, administrator Maintaining a focus and sustaining Education for Over and superintendent of schools and as commitment is indispensable when a volunteer for MSA. Those collective Thirty-Five Years it comes to school improvement. experiences allowed me to experience Monitoring progress and being firsthand the value of the process and Long Time MSA publically accountable and transparent how as an educational leader the with the school community is Volunteer, Former process helped me get things done. critical. The accreditation process Commissioner and It’s about time promotes accountability and helps Associate Director to build community awareness and Announces His Every year we begin a new school year communications that provide that Retirement hoping to improve school performance. support. It externally validates the But as the school year unfolds and school’s improvement process, as well Dr. David Montroni the challenges of the day to day as celebrating its success. to Join CESS operations demand our attention our best intentions are overwhelmed and It’s about focus The F. Laird Evans too infrequently not fulfilled. As you are There are lots of things competing for reading this message more than a third and Susan K. the limited time, energy and resources of the “new” school year has gone by. that each of us has to devote to Nicklas Outstanding Volunteer Awards (continued on page 3) 1 The Berkeley Institute

The Berkeley Institute, located in were denied access to all the Pembroke West, Bermuda, is a very other secondary schools on unique school with a proud history the island which had been of providing quality education to the founded for the education of children of that island nation. only the White community. The first class of students Many schools spend a lot of time consisted of 15 boys and and effort gathering and reporting 12 girls. Significantly, one data to prepare for accreditation or of the boys was white while re-accreditation. During the self- all other students were study period, schools compile data Bermudians of color. to demonstrate how well they are Second, the long history of performing and the progress they The Berkeley Institute’s facility, opened in 2006. are making towards their strategic the Institute has resulted objectives. For many schools, in a rich legacy among the of Governors of the Society tracking down and compiling this island’s citizens and is known by receives an annual grant from the data is a stressful event that requires everyone as “the Berkeley legacy.” government of Bermuda to operate a lot of energy. But there is a It is indeed rare to find a school the school, but all aspects of the relatively simple way to significantly that has a legacy of 116 continuous school’s programs, services, and reduce that stress. Make data years of service to children. This activities are managed by the Board collection, reporting and analysis legacy greeted the recent Middle of Governors. a part of your routine operations States Visiting Team from the very moment it stepped onto Bermudian The institute’s new and modern rather than a once every few years school facility was paid for by the crisis. soil. From the taxi drivers, the bellmen at the hotel, the parents, Bermuda government. The facility First, the Institute’s uniqueness the teachers, and many others with provides an environment that is can be seen in a long and storied whom Team members interacted extremely conducive to learning history. The Institute’s founders there came a very strong sense and teaching and that presents no were members of the Berkeley of pride and identification with this obstacles to the community’s efforts Society and, when Berkeley first legacy. Residents said so very to achieve the Institute’s mission. opened its doors on September proudly, “I am a Berkeleyite!” or “My Everyone who has served on a 6, 1897, it became the first school child is a Berkeleyite!” Middle States visiting team knows on the island to offer a racially A strong identification with the that one of the questions team mixed education for Whites and members always ask a school’s non-Whites, thereby ensuring that Berkeley legacy can also be found in the Institute’s current students. students is: If they could, what one non-Whites would be able to have thing would they change in the access to a good education as they They know about the legacy; they know the standard to school? At Berkeley, this question which they are expected was asked of students selected by to perform to preserve that the school to be interviewed and legacy; they accept that students selected randomly by the challenge willingly; and they Team. To the Visiting Team’s great challenge each other to surprise, and for the first time in the demonstrate the same level Team members’ vast experience of commitment. serving on visiting teams, the majority of the students said that Third, Berkeley is a private they would not change anything. school—owned by the Nothing! The Team took this as a Berkeley Society—that is resounding endorsement of the funded by the government educational opportunities being of Bermuda as provided provided by the Institute. Unlike student parking lots in the U.S., mopeds are in the Berkeley Institute the preferred form of transportation for Bermudian Act of 1933. The Board (continued on page 8) teens. 2 Standards for Accreditation of Schools Revised 2013

The Standards for Accreditation of the Middle States For example, here is how one subset of Indicators Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools for the Educational Program Standard is stated and (MSA-CESS) form the very heart of the Commissions’ organized: accreditation process. The Standards are statements INDICATORS OF QUALITY FOR ALL SCHOOLS that reflect the quality expected in an accredited The governing body and leadership ensure that the school’s educational program, services, activities, and school: operations. As such, they provide the foundation for all 8.1 Has and implements policies and/or procedural accreditation actions taken by the Commissions. guidelines and criteria for regularly reviewing MSA-CESS Policy 5.1 directs the Commissions and revising programs of study/courses, on Elementary and Secondary Schools to conduct developing new programs of study/courses, a comprehensive review of their Standards for and eliminating programs of study/courses that Accreditation every five years unless other factors are determined to be no longer effective or that warrant a more frequent review. no longer contribute effectively to achieving the school’s mission and goals for student The Commissions have now completed a yearlong learning. review of the Standards for Accreditation for Schools 8.2 Publishes for all students and their families an and, at their April 2013 meetings, they approved revised overview of the school’s educational program Standards for Schools. and its programs of study. The revised Standards reflect: The revised Standards for Schools also reflect a change • New developments in educational research that in the names of two Standards: pertain to the areas addressed by the Standards; • The Philosophy/Mission Standard is now the • New developments in best practices for schools; Mission Standard for Accreditation. • The experiences of the schools and the • The Information Resource and Technology Standard Commissions in applying the previous Standards is now the Information Resources Standard. in the accreditation process; and • Reorganization and rephrasing of the Standards The revised Standards for Accreditation for Schools will and Indicators to improve logic and clarity; and be effective for schools entering into self-study on or • Identifying specifically who or what group within a after September 1, 2014. The Standards can be viewed school is responsible for ensuring the school meets on the Commissions’ website at: http://msa-cess.org/ the requirements of the Indicators. RelId/606537/ISvars/default/Standards.htm;

What is the value of Accreditation? It’s about getting things done! (continued)

(continued from page 1) improving our school’s performance. There are obstacles and challenges to making our schools into the places we know they can be that at times are overwhelming. The accreditation process and its strategic planning platform help ensure that there is a consistent focus on getting from the current reality to a preferred future. It’s about lessons learned Each of us over the course of our careers has had successful and unsuccessful attempts at school improvement. The difference between success and failure is more often than not a question of devoting the time required, having the organization needed, developing the support necessary and maintaining our focus. The accreditation process with its self-study, onsite visit and school improvement planning helps ensure that the conditions are ripe for every school to succeed. Whether your school is in need of improvement or a consistently high performing school, each year should be one in which we strive to “out-perform our previous best”. What is accreditation? It’s simply the best way I know of ensuring that every school keeps getting better.; 3 Fall 2013 Accreditation Actions

Thorpe, PA Dematha Catholic High School, Hyattsville, At their Fall 2013 meetings, the Saint Mark Catholic School, Bristol, PA MD Middle States Commissions on Saint Mary School, Middletown, NJ Easton Area High School, Easton, PA Elementary and Secondary Schools Saint Mary’s School, Vineland, NJ Elmwood Park Memorial High School, took the following actions: Saint Matthew School, Philadelphia, PA Elmwood Park, NJ Saint Raphael Grade School, Pittsburgh, Holy Cross High School, Delran, NJ PA Holy Cross High School, Dunmore, PA Actions Taken by the Saint Raymond School, Philadelphia, PA John E. Dwyer Technology Academy, Saint Thomas the Apostle School, West Elizabeth, NJ Commission on Elementary Hempstead, NY John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High Schools Saint William the Abbot School, Seaford, School, Philadelphia, PA NY Kenmare High School, Jersey City, NJ Accreditation Ten Years Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Academy, Kensington International Business High Falk Laboratory School, Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh, PA* School, Philadelphia, PA Accreditation Seven Years Yavneh Academy, Paramus, NJ Lenape High School, Medford, NJ Manchester Valley High School, Academy of Our Lady of Peace, New Accreditation Six Years Manchester, MD Providence, NJ Asheville-Pisgah Christian School, Mater Dei Prep, Middletown, NJ Academy of Our Lady of Peace, New Candler, NC Maya Angelou Public Charter School, Providence, NJ Madison Campus Elementary School, Washington, DC Ambassador Christian Academy, Toms Madison, TN North Schuylkill Junior/Senior High School, River, NJ* Orlando Junior Academy, Orlando, FL Ashland, PA Arts and Technology Academy, Notre Dame High School, Easton, PA Washington, DC Accreditation Five Years Nutley High School, Nutley, NJ Cape Trinity Catholic School, North Biltmore School (The), Miami, FL Options Public Charter School, Wildwood, NJ Gainesville Country Day School, Washington, DC Cornerstone Christian Academy, Gainesville, FL Our Lady of Mercy Academy, Newfield, NJ* Philadelphia, PA Lighthouse Christian Private Academy, Our Lady of Mercy High School, East Harlem School at the Exodus House Gulf Breeze, FL Rochester, NY (The), New York, NY Piscataway High School, Piscataway, NJ Escuela Josefita Monserrate de Selles, Accreditation Removal of Pittsburgh University Preparatory, San Juan, PR Probation Pittsburgh, PA Goddard School – Ramsey (The), Ramsey, Far Brook School, Short Hills, NJ* Queen of Peace High School, North NJ* Arlington, NJ Holy Name School, Camden, NJ Probationary Accreditation Saint Croix Central High School, St. Croix, Our Lady of Confidence Day School, Sacred Heart Regional School, Allentown, VI Willow Grove, PA PA Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Our Lady of Mercy Regional School, New International School, Japan Girls, Philadelphia, PA Cutchogue, NY Saint Peter’s Boys High School, Staten Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Erie, Island, NY PA Actions Taken by the Saint Thomas More Academy, Magnolia, Our Lady of Peace School, Erie, PA Commission on Secondary DE Our Lady of Peace School, Lynbrook, NY Schools South Carroll High School, Sykesville, MD Presentation BVM School, Cheltenham, PA Winters Mill High School, Westminster, MD Ross University School of Veterinary Accreditation Seven Years Medicine Prep School, Saint Kitts and Academy of the New Church Secondary Accreditation Six Years Nevis Schools (The), Bryn Athyn, PA Atlanta Adventist Academy, Duluth, GA Sacred Heart School, Camden, NJ Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr. Leadership Georgia Cumberland Academy, Calhun, Saint Agnes School, Towanda, PA Academy, Elizabeth, NJ GA Saint Ambrose School, Schuylkill Haven, Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy, Great Lakes Adventist Academy, Cedar PA Elizabeth, NJ Lake, MI* Saint Benedict School, Carrolltown, NJ All Hallows High School, Bronx, NY Highland Academy, Portland, TN* Saint Dorothy School, Drexel Hill, PA Benedictine Academy, Elizabeth, NJ Northeastern Academy, New York, NY Saint Elizabeth Interparochial School, Berkeley Institute (The), Bermuda* Sunnydale Adventist Academy, Centralia, Wyckoff, NJ Bishop Canevin High School, Pittsburgh, MO* Saint Elizabeth Parish School, Uwchlan, PA* PA Cazenovia Junior/Senior High School, Accreditation Five Years Saint Francis Xavier School, Newark, NJ Cazenovia, NY AMG Medical Institute, Paterson, NJ* Saint James School, Sewickley, PA Chartiers Valley High School, Bridgeville, Saint Croix Career and Technical Saint James the Apostle School, PA Education Center, St. Croix, VI* Springfield, NJ Cherokee High School, Marlton, NJ Saint John the Baptist School, Monaca, PA Croton-Harmon High School, Croton-on- Accreditation Remainder of Term Saint Joseph Regional Academy, Jim Hudson, NY (continued on page 5) 4 Fall 2013 Accreditation Actions (continued)

(continued from page 4) Horace Mann School Grove, IL Jefferson Elementary School Huntington Learning Center QG1, NFTY-EIE High School in Israel, Israel MacArthur School Highland Park, IL Perkiomen School, Pennsburg, PA Roosevelt Elementary School Huntington Learning Center UR0, Ashburn, Scranton Preparatory School, Scranton, West Middle School VA PA Wilson Elementary School Huntington Learning Center VM2, Susquehanna Township High School, Champion Christian School, Champion, PA Kempsville, VA Harrisburg, PA Christian International School of Prague, Huntington Learning Center VM3, Newport Accreditation Removal of Czech Republic* News, VA Stipulations Christian Nazarene Academy, Toa Baja, Huntington Learning Center WY0, Stow, PR OH Advantage Career Institute, Eatontown, NJ Conestoga Christian School, Morgantown, Pine Tree Academy, Freeport, ME* George Washington University Online High PA South Lancaster Academy, South School, Ashburn, VA Escuela Prescolar, Elemental y Superior Lancaster, MA Martin Luther School, Maspeth, NY Daskalos, San Juan, PR Tampa Adventist Academy, Tampa, FL Philadelphia Technician Training, Grace Academy, Hagerstown, MD Philadelphia, PA Grace Brethren Christian School, Clinton, Accreditation Five Years Potomac High School, Oxon Hill, MD MD Westminster Academy, Fort Lauderdale, Hazlet Township Public Schools, Hazlet, FL NJ Yeshiva Toras Chaim-Toras Emes Actions Taken by the Beers Street School Academy of Miami, North Miami Beach, Commissions on Elementary Cove Road School FL Hazlet Middle School and Secondary Schools Accreditation Removal of Lillian Drive School Accreditation Ten Years Middle Road School Stipulations Byram Hills School District, Armonk, NY Raritan High School Centro San Francisco, Ponce, PR Byram Hills High School Raritan Valley School Colegio San Conrado, Ponce, PR Coman Hill Elementary School Sycamore Drive School Haven of Peace Academy, Tanzania H.C. Crittenden Middle School Kyiv International School, Ukraine Probationary Accreditation Wampas Elementary School Liceo Aguadillano, Inc., Aguadilla, PR* Jeddah International School, Saudi Arabia Cairo English School, Egypt* Matheny Medical and Educational Center, Germantown Friends School, Philadelphia, Peapack, NJ Recognition of Accreditation PA Meadowbrook Christian School, Milton, PA A Beka Academy, Pensacola, FL International Community School of Abidjan, Mekeel Christian Academy, Scotia, NY Bible Baptist Christian School, Matthews, Cote D’Ivoire* Overbrook School for the Blind, NC William Penn Charter School, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA International School of Choueifat-Abu PA QSI International School of Bratislava, Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Slovakia Accreditation Seven Years International School of Choueifat-Al Ain, QSI International School of Dili, East Timor United Arab Emirates American Academy, Gurabo, PR* QSI International School of El Tigre, International School of Choueifat-Amman, American Community School, Jordan Venezuela Jordan American School of Dubai, United Arab QSI International School of Yerevan, International School of Choueifat- Emirates* Armenia Choueifat, Lebanon Ashgabat International School, Redeemer Classical Christian School, International School of Choueifat-Dubai, Turkmenistan Kingsville, MD United Arab Emirates Bahrain Bayan School, Kingdom of Riverdale Baptist School, Upper Marlboro, International School of Choueifat-Koura, Bahrain MD* Lebanon Bayamon Military Academy, Sabana Seca, Western Pennsylvania School for Blind International School of Choueifat-Muscat, PR* Children, Pittsburgh, PA Sultanate of Oman Bergenfield School District, Bergenfield, NJ International School of Choueifat-Ras Al Bergenfield High School Accreditation Six Years Khaimah, United Arab Emirates Franklin School Central Vermont Academy, Barre, VT* International School of Choueifat—Ruwais, Hoover School Grand Rapids Seventh-day Adventist United Arab Emirates Jefferson School Academy, Grand Rapids, MI International School of Choueifat— Lincoln School Hinsdale Adventist Academy, Hinsdale, IL Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Roy W. Brown Middle School Huntington Learning Center GL0, Cary, NC ISR Intenationale Schule am Rhein in Washington School Huntington Learning Center GT2, Camp Nuess, Germany Binghamton City School District, Springs, MD SABIS International School-Adma, Binghamton, NY Huntington Learning Center GZ0, Lebanon Benjamin Franklin Elementary School Jacksonville, FL Binghamton High School Huntington Learning Center NH0, *Accredited with Stipulations Coolidge Elementary School Bethesda, MD East Middle School Huntington Learning Center QG0, Buffalo

5 Sister Shaun Thomas Callahan- Sustaining Excellence in Education for Over Thirty-Five Years

When you first encounter her email, “headnun1”, Moving into the Future you know that Sister Shaun Thomas Callahan, IHM, Building on her school community’s work with Penn, is strong in spirit and accustomed to leadership. Her Sister Shaun is once again on the cutting edge of passion for education and her answer to that call have change at Middle States. The “enthusiasm and great benefited countless students and colleagues. Sister interest of Middle States in this unique partnering” has taught in Lynchburg, VA and East Brunswick, NJ, led to a decision to pilot MSA’s newest protocol for as well as the Philadelphia Archdiocese during her reaccreditation. Sister Shaun feels that with Sustaining 44 years in education. For the last seven years she Excellence, MSA has “totally changed the orientation has served as the principal of Saint Dominic School of this protocol” and its approach to reaccreditation. in Philadelphia, a small, community oriented parish As Sister Shaun sees it, “Now that (MSA) has looked school. through our eyes at what is happening in these city schools, they see that this is a program that can result Growing with MSA in improving educational opportunities for all types of To say that Sister Shaun is an important member of the children, which is the reason for Middle States.” Middle States community would not be an exaggeration. Tracing her service back to 1978, the founding year of Sustaining Excellence is a major revision to the former the Commission on Elementary Schools, Sister Shaun Project protocol that focuses on an action research believes she has “grown up well” with Middle States. project. When asked why Sister chose that protocol She was introduced to the process as a teacher “by she described it as, “dynamic, ongoing, something a principal who was very knowledgeable about the bigger than a certain period of time. I think there is great process so it was a very good experience for me.” connectivity from the time the visiting team is at your school until your next accreditation. So I see projects as “As a teacher, I worked through the entire process on extremely helpful and useful to the school community.” many levels,” reminisces Sister Shaun. “Leading the Sustaining Excellence is a great next step especially in process as a principal brings another perspective. I this 21st century when there are more demands being was a reader for Middle States for a while and found made on educational institutions,” says Sister Shaun that very enlightening.” Since 1996, Sister has served as a Visiting Team Member and is currently a trained Hoping that the colloquium presented as part of the Chairperson preparing to lead a Visiting Team Visit in Sustaining Excellence visit will inspire others to partner spring 2014. with universities and follow the distributive leadership ideal, the aim will be to entice others to replicate the Working with the University of Pennsylvania work done at Saint Dominic and implement, “something In 2010, working through the International Center that really works; a program that’s going to last longer for Education of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia than the individual building principal.” and seeking a means to further grow her school’s interest in teacher collaboration, Sister established Once again providing leadership to her school and her a connection with the University of Pennsylvania’s community, we hear Sister’s passion when she tells Distributive Leadership Program. This program uses us, “Middle State supplies an internal and external professional development and ongoing peer coaching validation of schools. It allows teachers to see all the to develop school-based distributed leadership teams. wonderful things happening in their school that they Implementing that model at Saint Dominic “has been never would have seen if it wasn’t for the Middle States a very effective tool.” First, through training and then process. That we are an accredited school means by providing professional development, Sister feels something in this day and age.” And when you serve they have received tremendous support from Penn. on a team? ”Not only do you contribute to a school “We have had professional development by people we through your service but you also come back enriched could never have afforded to have in our school, “ says by what you saw in another school. I come back with Sister, “and for the last couple of years we have also great ideas. I think people may underestimate the partnered with two smaller schools. They now have reciprocal value of being a team member. It’s not just virtual grade partners and we see a growing synergy giving, it’s receiving.” among grade partner groups. Penn has always been Sister Shaun Thomas, a Middle Sates leader for over there to answer our questions. It has been an incredible thirty-five years.; relationship.” 6 Long Time MSA Volunteer, Former Commissioner and Associate Director Announces His Retirement

Ken Rigby, who has been an Associate Director with the Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools since 2000, will retire early next year. Ken served as a volunteer with the Middle States Association beginning in 1978 as a team member serving on a team with CES founder Dr. John Stoops. Since then he has chaired more than 75 teams himself. He has also served as both an Elementary Commissioner and as a member of the Middle States Association Board of Trustees before becoming an employee of the Association. Reflecting on his affiliation with MSA, Ken said, “My 35 years with Middle states have had a profound influence on both my personal and professional life!” Ken’s career began in 1965 and includes experience as a teacher, principal, director of elementary education, and professional development coordinator for the Franklin Regional School District. He was also an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburg and St. Francis of Loreto College. As a volunteer and Associate Director Ken has represented MSA in the Caribbean, Guatemala, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Spain, Sweden and Pakistan. When asked what he will miss most, Ken sited the personal relationships he has made, “I have had the opportunity to work with tremendous educators both in our member schools and with the employees of Middle States’’. What’s next for Ken? “In retirement I plan to enjoy my family, especially my two grandchildren, read, travel and certainly play a lot more golf.” Sounds like a plan. All of us at MSA wish Ken a long, happy and healthy, retirement.;

Dr. David Montroni to Join CESS

Dr. David Montroni will become MSA’s newest associate director in January. Dr. Montroni is a former principal, school business official, counselor and teacher. David has also taught courses in school law and facilities planning at Montclair State University and has a number of presentations and publications to his credit. According to CESS President Dr. Henry Cram, “David’s addition will increase our depth in areas like facilities, finance, governance, student services, bi- lingual and career and technical education”. David joins MSA following his teaching and administrative career, most recently with the Clifton Public Schools in New Jersey where he served as an elementary school principal. Dr. Montroni holds a doctorate from Columbia University in educational administration. “I am honored and delighted to serve as a member of the MSA team. I look forward to blending my experiences with the opportunity of assisting in the accreditation process in recognizing student achievement and school improvement.” Dr. Montroni will initially be assigned to assisting all of the associate directors in their work with member schools throughout the Middle States region.;

7 The F. Laird Evans and Susan K. Nicklas Outstanding Volunteer Awards

Dr. F. Laird Evans was President/Executive Director of in times of unique challenge or emergency. the Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools Dr. Kathleen Gerritz has served both the Elementary from 1996 to 2010, and Dr. Susan K. Nicklas was and Secondary Commissions since 2003. During that Executive Director of the Middle States Commission time she has been a team member, team chair, and on Secondary Schools from 2002 to 2005. Both Dr. serves on the Domestic Schools Advisory Committee. Evans and Dr. Nicklas held the educators and others Willing to lead a wide variety of teams each year, she who volunteered their services to their respective is especially valuable in her leadership of Special Commission in the highest esteem. Education schools due to her in-depth knowledge of On the occasion of their retirement, their respective these schools. What makes Kalle unique is her ability Commission endowed an award in their honor. The to guide schools to successful goals with sensitivity awards are given to volunteers for their long and and grace that ensures schools respond, maintain valued service to the member institutions and the their involvement in the process, and find themselves Commission. in a position of growth. A staunch supporter of Middle States, her advocacy on behalf of our Commissions is The F. Laird Evans Award (2013) incalculable. This year, there are two recipients of the Evans Susan K. Nicklas Award (2013) Award. Dr. Dwight Wagner is a retired administrator with the Susan Hillers has been a volunteer for the Elementary Anne Arundel County (MD) Public Schools. During Commission since 1991. During that time she has his time there, he was the internal coordinator for been both a team member and a chair; chairing over accreditation of his high school. 25 visits. Currently acting as an MSA Ambassador, she has also represented our Commission as a mid-term Currently, Dr. Wagner serves on the Domestic reviewer and a representative on cooperative visits to Schools Advisory Committee and as a Middle States schools seeking dual accreditation. Possibly the most Ambassador. diverse of our volunteers, Susan has worked with all Dr. Wagner’s service on Middle States visiting teams types of educational providers including supplemental began in 1983. Since then, he has chaired more than learning centers, early childhood centers, elementary 19 visiting teams. He has also conducted numerous schools, and high schools and has used her talent to Five-Year Renewal visits and mid-term visits. assist schools of all types in the learning community including independent, public and parochial schools. The staff agrees that Dwight Wagner is one of the Always willing to take on a new challenge, Susan Commission’s very best volunteers and that it owes continues to be one of the Commission’s go-to people him a debt of gratitude for all he does for us and for the Commission’s member schools.;

The Berkeley Institute (continued)

(continued from page 2) For 116 years, the Berkeley Institute has been inspired by its motto— Respice Finem, Keep the End in View. The “end” for its students, as defined by the Berkeley community, is a student who demonstrates high levels of academic knowledge and skills and is a “whole person” personally, intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally. In the minds of the school’s leaders, such students will be thoughtful human beings mindful of their obligations to their proud heritage and of their responsibilities to each other and to their society. A proud heritage indeed, and one that is deeply ingrained in the life of The view from the Berkeley Institute. this unique school.; 8