2012 Manual Edition New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Independent Schools Report of the Visiting Committee Bishop Brady High School Concord, New Hampshire April 6-9, 2014 1 2012 Manual Edition Visiting Committee Members Bishop Brady High School April 6-9, 2014 Christopher W. Keavy - Chair Head of School Pope John Paul High School & St. Francis Xavier Preparatory School Hyannis, MA David Flaherty – Assistant Chair Christopher Carmody Assistant Principal Religion Teacher, Self-Study Coordinator The Prout School St. Mary's High School Wakefield, RI Lynn, MA Benjamin Grasso Michele Harris History & English Teacher Math & Economics Teacher Thornton Academy Ethel Walker School Saco, ME Simsbury, CT Lorrie Herz Elizabeth Heston Arts & Humanities Department Head History Department Chairperson Putnam Science Academy Pope John Paul II High School Putnam, CT 06260 Hyannis, MA Judith Licht Kelly Richards Science Department Head Director of College Counseling St. Joseph Central High School St. George's School Pittsfield, MA Newport, RI 2 2012 Manual Edition SCHOOL DATA SHEET School Name: Bishop Brady High School Address: 25 Columbus Avenue, Concord, New Hampshire 03301 Telephone: (603) 224 - 7418 Date of Founding: 1963 Total Enrollment (at the time of evaluation visit): 344 P K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 PG Totals Male 60 46 34 48 188 Female 32 37 46 41 156 Day 92 83 80 89 344 Boarding Homestay International students included in the above table who are not U.S. residents: Day 5 4 13 6 28 Boarding Homestay Number of Faculty: 20 full-time; 10 part-time Number of Administrators: 4 full-time; 0 part-time Brief statement of school’s history, mission, and culture – what makes this school unique? Founded in 1963, Bishop Brady is a 4-year coeducational high school under the auspices of the Diocese of Manchester. The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the State of New Hampshire. Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire, have a long history of excellence in education rooted in Jesus Christ and the Catholic tradition. The Superintendent of Schools, Reverend John Fortin, expressed that “the Roman Catholic Bishop of Manchester, as chief teacher of the faith, believes that students in Catholic schools must be offered an academically rigorous and doctrinally sound program of education and faith formation designed to strengthen the union of children with Christ and His church. They are to receive sound teaching through a broad-based curriculum where Catholic faith and culture are intertwined in all areas of school life.” After 50 years of service to the Diocese of Manchester and the community at large, Bishop Brady continues to provide an excellent education for life. Students are prepared academically to pursue their profession and vocation in life, and they are able to share the Gospel message of Christ through service. Person completing this form: _Alana Barchey, Administrative Assistant Date: _March 3, 2014 3 2012 Manual Edition TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page Introduction 5 Standard 1 (Mission) 7 Standard 2 (Governance) 10 Standard 3 (Enrollment) 13 Standard 4 (Program) 16 Standard 5 (Experience of the Students) 21 Standard 6 (Resources to Support the Program) 25 Standard 8 (Residential Program and/or Homestay Program) 29 Standard 9 (Faculty) 32 Standard 10 (Administration) 36 Standard 11 (Evaluation and Assessment) 40 Standard 12 (Health and Safety) 43 Standard 13 (Communication) 48 Standard 14 (Infrastructure) 53 Standard 15 (The Accreditation Process) 56 Part II: Reflection, Recommendations, and Issues for Further Discussion 58 Major Commendations 63 Major Recommendations 64 Report on Standards for Accreditation 65 4 2012 Manual Edition INTRODUCTION Founded in 1885, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC) is the nation’s oldest accrediting agency. Since its inception in 1885, the Association has awarded accreditation to educational institutions in the six New England states that seek voluntary affiliation. The governing body of NEASC is its Board of Trustees which oversees the work of four Commissions: ● Commission on American and International Schools Abroad ● Commission on Institutions of Higher Education ● Commission on Independent Schools ● Commission on Public Schools The evaluation program which the schools undergo is a three-fold process: the self-study conducted by the school, the evaluation by the visiting committee, and the follow-up program carried out by the school to implement the findings of its own self-study (Part II), and the valid recommendations of the visiting committee and the Commission. The Commission on Independent Schools oversees the entire process. Each school is evaluated in terms of compliance with the Standards for Accreditation, the quality of Part II: Reflection, Recommendations, and Issues for Further Discussion, and how well it is serving the needs of its students. Because each school is different, the base that undergirds the evaluation is the school’s own statement of mission and core values. The members of the visiting committee wish to express their appreciation for the manner in which Bishop Brady High School undertook the self-study and accreditation process. The self-study report was well organized, thorough, and well-written. All relevant documents were provided to the visiting committee in advance or as part of the supplementary materials. Accommodations and scheduling were arranged in such a way as to make the visiting committee comfortable while allowing the committee to focus on the task of verifying the self-study. The visiting committee’s time at the school was marked by a high level of organization and attention to detail. The visiting committee was able to move throughout the school with little disturbance to the daily routine, thus allowing the visiting committee to verify the self-study in light of the real life of the school. The school began its self-study process in January, 2013. Three members of the staff attended a training scheduled by the Principal and offered by NEASC the third week of January. The staff members met with the Principal and Assistant Principal of Academics to begin the study process. Two coordinators were chosen to facilitate the process. A meeting of the faculty and staff was organized for the first week in February. A presentation given by NEASC described the steps for completing the self-study. In addition, the coordinators conducted an informal survey of all faculty, staff and administration to initially assess each NEASC standard with a rating of Pass or Fail. With the information gathered from the faculty survey results, separate meetings were held to meet with each faculty member who would serve as chairperson of one of the five committees, and to assign additional faculty 5 2012 Manual Edition and staff to each of the five committees. The five committees were assigned various standards then reviewed each of the standards and indicators. Standards 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 were made priorities and the first task for committee assignments. The self-study coordinators established a schedule of events for study and committee work from February 2013 to February 2014. Throughout this yearlong process, committees met regularly and thoroughly examined all aspects of the school. The self-study report gave the visiting committee ample foundation for a meaningful visit. The report portrayed, to a reasonable degree of accuracy, the realities of the school that the visiting committee encountered. The character and strength of the school community are notable. Everyone (faculty, students, administrators, staff, parents, alumni, and advisory board members) treated the visiting committee with respect and warmth and displayed the sense of community spoken about so often. It is clear that Bishop Brady High School is a tight- knit Christian community built on strong relationships and this was expressed explicitly and was also shown in the visiting committee’s experience. Bishop Brady High School provides an extraordinary opportunity for its students to live its mission of faith, learning, and service. The visiting committee experienced a school committed to growth, dedicated to its students and mission, and characterized by a sincere desire to do their very best. Important and significant efforts to improve teaching and learning have resulted in a school marked by academic rigor. Christian service is a particularly noteworthy element of the life of the school. The school would benefit from efforts to broaden involvement in important processes such as mission statement review and strategic planning. More focused planning around academic technology will complement the impressive gains made in the school’s professional culture of teaching and learning. The committee found that improvements can be made in the international students experience and approach to virtual learning opportunities. The school would do well to examine its risk of gaps in health care services. Bishop Brady is in a strong position as it enters a period of leadership transition. With support and guidance from the Diocesan Superintendent, a committed faculty and staff that have made impressive strides in teaching and learning, a growing advancement program, well-cared for facility, and a vibrant, mission-driven community, the visiting committee finds that Bishop Brady High School has every opportunity to continue its excellent educational experience and grown into new stages of development. 6 2012 Manual Edition THE STANDARDS Standard 1 (Mission): There is congruence between the school’s stated mission and core values and its actual program, policies, planning, and decision-making at both the operational and governance levels. Assessment of Standard Passing Failing (The students’ experience is supported.) (The students’ experience is compromised.) P1. Meets Standard: may have minor F1. Fails Standard: aware and plans plans/recommendations or issues for remediation. reflection. P2. Meets Standard: does have significant F2. Fails Standard: aware, but plan of plans/recommendations and issues for remediation is uncertain. reflection. School’s Self-Assessment: P1.