Olympia offically applies for WASC accreditation

With a journey of 15 years of establishment and development, Olympia has always been putting students at the center and searching for the best models and methods to promote students’ learning process and holistic growth.

In the school year 2020-2021, Olympia once again demonstrated our determination to improve quality by registering for accreditation with the Committee of School Quality Accreditation, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) (Western Association of Schools and Colleges). Since March 2021, Olympia has officially been carrying out the accreditation process with WASC. The process usually takes 2-3 years and is considered a self-improvement journey of The Olympia Schools according to international standards.

WASC is a globally respected not-for-profit accrediting organization. Headquartered in the United States, WASC specializes in accrediting high schools in these geographical areas: California, Hawaii, Guam (USA), Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. WASC has audited 5000 schools, including preschools, primary schools, middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities (public, private); has connected with 18 associations in implementing accreditation processes, and worked closely with international educational institutions.

Among many well-known accrediting organizations in the world, The Olympia Schools has chosen WASC to apply for accreditation because the entire accreditation process of WASC focuses on students’ learning process.. WASC provides certifications of schools that meet “Focus on Learning” standards. WASC-accredited schools are organizations which ensure all students are fully equipped with global citizen competence, 21st century essential skills, and effective interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teaching.

In addition, WASC acknowledges local characteristics in each school’s operation process and students’ learning curriculum to ensure that the standards are appropriate to the geographical, cultural and social conditions of different regions in the world. Therefore, the goal of educating generations of 21st century citizens with the spirit of integration but still perceiving the values of Vietnamese identity is completely possible in terms of this standard system.

WASC assesses schools holistically. All areas, including learning content, learning methods, assessment methods, support for students’ personal and academic development, allocation of development resources, school operations are assessed on how well they support students’ learning process.

(visit https://www.acswasc.org/ for further information)

With a total focus on learners, WASC’s approach is completely similar to the student-centered philosophy of The Olympia Schools, where all school activities always put safety first in order to support effective learning.

TAccording to WASC, the accreditation process usually lasts for three years which is the time it takes a school to perfect itself to meet international standards. The Olympia Schools see this as an opportunity to systematize and upgrade our operation quality. In the process of self-improvement and accreditation, Olympian parents are those who will directly participate and contribute ideas to the school and meet with the representatives of the Committee of Accreditation..