St. Stanislaus Kostka School Earns NEASC Accreditation
ADAMS, Mass. — The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) has awarded full 10 year accreditation to St. Stanislaus Kostka School in Adams.
The accreditation process is centered on two elements: first, a structured self-study, which involves the entire school community and second, a peer evaluation by two visiting committees. The Self Study addressed NEASC Standards for Independent Schools as well as NEASC Indicators for Catholic Schools.
Accreditation is not a one-time event, but rather an ongoing, voluntary cycle of comprehensive internal and external assessments, short- and long-term strategic planning, and periodic reporting sustained by professional partnership and support.
"Our recent NEASC accreditation is an exciting achievement for our school community. It represents a long, careful process of gathering and analyzing data, and documenting our work. Thank you to all who played a part in this tremendous effort, especially our teachers, school board, the people of NEASC, and our supportive superintendent, Maria Wagner. This recognition confirms the positive direction we're heading and provides meaningful guidance as we continue to grow and improve," said Chris Bersaw, principal.
In its review, the NEASC team recognized areas of strength, including steady enrollment growth, commitment to Catholic mission, faculty enthusiasm for professional development and collaboration, and a school culture in which students feel valued, respected, and supported.
"We are excited for St. Stan's! The NEASC team recognized so many positives, and the recommendations will help us continue to move the school forward," said Judy Roy, School Board Chair. "We look forward to a long and productive relationship with NEASC."
As part of a process of ongoing study and improvement, NEASC recommended the school implement an expanded process of financial planning, consolidate emergency planning procedures, and conduct a technology audit. Over the next ten years, school administration will submit annual updates to NEASC, along with progress reports in 2028 and 2031, before continuing the accreditation process with a self study and site visits in 2035.
St. Stanislaus Kostka School today educates 115 children in preschool through 8th grade.
NEASC is an independent, voluntary, nonprofit organization whose membership represents an array of diverse educational institutions unified in their commitment to improvement and growth. More than 1600 public, independent, and international schools in the United States and in over 90 countries around the world are NEASC Members, Candidates for Accreditation, or have achieved Eligibility for Accreditation.
