In June 2003, Granada Islamic School received a six-year term of accreditation by Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) after an extensive 18-month self-study. In April 2006, an interim visit by WASC reaffirmed the accreditation status to the end of the six-year term (2009). We are currently implementing the six-year action plan that resulted from our self-study.

Please check the following PowerPoint presentation for summary information on the Accreditateion process: GIS Accreditation - Cycle 2

The following is an excerpt from WASC Visiting Committee Report section: Schoolwide Strengths and Critical Areas for Follow-up (p. 31)

Schoolwide Areas of Strength

1. A strong, competent and effective principal and administrative team.
2. The dedication of the entire staff
3. The strong support of the GIS Board, parents and Islamic community.
4. The commitment of the parents, administration and teachers to providing a nurturing learning environment that addresses the academic and spiritual needs of the students and creates a “family atmosphere.”
5. The pride the students take in their school as exhibited by their positive attitudes and behavior.
6. The high level of achievement reflected in the standardized test scores, student work and class performance.
7. The GIS Board, parents and staff for providing a safe learning environment.
8. The commitment of the GIS Board and school administration to staff development and improvement.
9. The school’s dedication to improve as evidence by the self-study, schoolwide action plan and interviews with all constituents.
10. The commitment and dedication of the community volunteers
11. The efforts of the teachers to provide an attractive classroom environment, which also celebrates student work.

Why is accreditation important?

• The accreditation process validates the integrity of a school’s program and student transcripts.
• Accreditation fosters excellence and ongoing improvement in public and private schools.
• The accreditation process assures a school community that the school’s purposes are appropriate and being accomplished through a viable educational program.
• Accreditation helps a school to establish its priority areas for improvement.

What is WASC?

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six regional accrediting associations in the United States. It extends its services to a variety of public and private schools.