Mt. Lebanon athletic department recognized
Mt. Lebanon High School’s athletic department was selected as a program of distinction by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)
MSA-CESS announced the honor during its spring accreditation actions which include 167 schools and school systems in 16 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands as well as 42 other countries. The accreditation or reaccreditation is the gold standard for measuring and advancing school improvement.
In the past, Mt. Lebanon’s counseling, visual arts, and music programs have all been awarded this distinction but this is the first time an athletic program has been given this honor. In fact, Mt. Lebanon is only one of two schools selected. The other was located in Valencia, Spain.
“The accreditation process is a valuable tool to help schools and school systems set and achieve goals and stay focused on continuous growth and improvement,” said Henry G. Cram, interim president of MSA-CESS. “The newly accredited and reaccredited schools should be commended for their commitment to excellence, and for providing their students with a high-quality education.”
The five Middle States Standards for Accreditation are: foundations; governance and organization; student well-being; resources; and teaching and learning. Additional special purpose indicators are: designed for specific programs or types of schools, or for areas not fully addressed in the Standards for Accreditation. The special purpose indicators are online learning; early childhood education; faith-based schools; Pennsylvania schools; and boarding program.
The accreditation process begins with a self-study that is conducted by the school or school system and requires input from school leaders, teachers, parents and students. Next, a team of volunteer educators conducts a peer review.
That team makes its recommendation for accreditation or reaccreditation to the Middle States Association Commissions, which votes on the recommendations at its biannual meeting.
John Grogan is Mt. Lebanon’s athletic director. Mary Jo Astfalk is the secretary and Brian Kattan is the coordinator. Kim Neidbala also is a member of the athletics staff.