Algonquin Gets 44 Commendations From Visiting Committee

Algonquin Regional High School received 44 commendations from the committee that visited the school last May as part of Algonquin's 10-year accreditation.

The New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Public Secondary Schools visiting committee also made 28 recommendations to the school, according to its final report.

A copy of that 65-page report is available here. 

The visiting committee was here May 5 to May 8.

Algonquin's Follow-Up Committee now awaits a letter from the commission outlining the school's "timeline for responding to (the) recommendations," according to an update that Principal Tom Mead presented to the regional school committee recently.

The association asks schools to complete two- and five-year reports, the update states.

The school's follow-up committee will seek input from a variety of groups, such as the faculty senate and the student council, toward addressing the recommendations, the update states.

Among the commendations are:

• The numerous curricular programs, services, and student activities that reflect the core values and beliefs as a living document.
• The use of student surveys by many teachers to solicit feedback on individual courses and instruction.
• The routine examination of results from standardized assessments such as MCAS to revise curriculum and improve instruction.
• The district's commitment to keeping class sizes and teacher loads appropriate.

• Create a formalized process for the regular review of the core values, beliefs and learning expectations that includes a plan for implementation and authentic school-wide use.
• Create formal structures and opportunities for teachers to examine student work for the purpose of improving instruction.
• Provide professional development to all staff on the creation and implementation of both course-specific and school-wide rubrics.
• Develop and implement a formal, ongoing program to assure that adult members of the school community are guiding all students toward achievement of the school-wide learning expectations.