Farmington High School's faculty members met on October 1, 2019, to listen to strategies on preparing for the school's Self-Reflection offered by a staff member from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Kathleen Montagano, Associate Director, for the Association's Commission on Public Schools, provided the faculty with an overall picture of the Commission's Accreditation procedures and Standards for Accreditation during the hour-long session. Montagano noted that the New England Association is a voluntary accrediting agency of more than 2,000 public and independent schools, colleges and universities, and vocational, technical, and career institutions. Of these, approximately 725 schools are accredited through the Association's Commission on Public Schools. The Commission works with individual schools to improve the quality of education through a continuous process of evaluation and Accreditation.

Since this initial session with the Associate Director, Farmington High School faculty has gathered evidence needed for the Self-Reflection. Currently, the Self-Reflection committee which includes faculty, administration, students, parents, and community members, has been working to determine whether or not the standards are being met. After this process is complete, the Self-Reflection will be written by volunteer faculty members.

One of the major requirements for NEASC membership is that the entire school be assessed following the extensive Self-Reflection by the professional staff. This assessment is conducted by visiting teams of professional educators, sent by the Commission, who review all materials prepared by the faculty in the Self-Reflection, visit classes, and talk with students, teachers, administrators, parents, and community members during their two-day visit to the school.  Farmington High School has been scheduled for a visit at the conclusion of the Self-Reflection on April 14 & 15, 2020. The school will then be scheduled for a Collaborative Conference.

The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, founded in 1885, is the oldest accrediting agency in the country and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the sole agency to award Accreditation to PreK-12 schools, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools in New England.

For more information contact:
Barbara Gardner: bgardner@sau61.org
Kaili Varley: kvarley@sau61.org
Whitney Carrier: wcarrier@sau61.org
Farmington HIgh School
40 Thayer Drive
Farmington, NH 03835
Telephone: (603)755-2811