Important Announcement to the Garden School Community
On Friday, we completed the 2016-2017 school year, our 94th year. It has been a astonishing year, filled with enthusiasm, projects, productions, trips, special events, and academic discovery. Now, we begin planning for next year, and we design schedules and programs to address our students’ needs and to move our mission forward.
Among our many activities this year was preparing for our New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) Accreditation Visit. Members of the administration, trustees, faculty, staff, students, parents, and especially our NYSAIS Accreditation Committee, worked for over a year to organize the necessary accreditation materials, and to prepare for the NYSAIS onsite visit last October.
I am happy to report that Garden School has been granted accreditation by NYSAIS! Congratulations to everyone involved. I am proud and thankful to all of you for making this happen.
Make no mistake, this is a significant achievement for any independent school. The New York State Association of Independent Schools is authorized by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York to evaluate and accredit nursery schools, kindergartens, elementary and secondary schools operating with the State of New York. Additionally, NYSAIS is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Commission on Accreditation which includes nineteen regional and state accrediting agencies. As a member of the NAIS Commission on Accreditation, the NYSAIS accreditation process is recognized across the United States and throughout the world. Garden School is also a member of NAIS.
A NYSAIS accreditation represents the culmination of an in-depth self-study that includes an exhaustive internal and external examination of all aspects of the school community including mission and culture, governance, educational program, student and student services, finance and school operations, parents, faculty and non-teaching personnel, community relations, and communications. Through a process of continual self-improvement that includes visiting teams of professions from outside the school Community, Garden School has fulfilled the accreditation requirements for an independent school.
According to Dr. Mark Lauria, NYSAIS Executive Director, “the rigorous accreditation process that each NYSAIS school undergoes represents a significant commitment of time and energy allowing the school and NYSAIS to thoroughly examine all facets of the school as part of the continuous improvement that is needed to best serve students and their families. Garden School is to be commended for their participation in this important process of self-examinations.”
Congratulations again to our entire community. Now, the next phase of our work begins as we continue to self-examine, to improve, and to build on this recognition and success.
Have a wonderful Summer!
Dr. Richard Marotta
