Sapolu Destined Academy is fully accredited by the WASC, or the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. This is a massive testament to our dedication to educational excellence and a true honor.
Here’s what you need to know about WASC, accreditation, and its implications for SDA students and their futures.
What is the Western Association of Schools and Colleges?
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges, or WASC, was founded in 1962 to accredit and support American institutions of learning in California, Hawaii, Guam, the Mariana Islands, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Fiji, and worldwide.
Regional vs. National Accreditation
WASC is a regional accreditation agency, which means that it covers a particular region of the United States. It is one of six regional accreditation agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
There are also national accreditation agencies, which accredit schools across the country. These agencies often serve a broader swath of schools, including online and vocational options.
What Are the WASC’s Criteria for Schools?
According to the WASC website, an accredited school must “[be] student-oriented and examines its students’ performance continuously; it accepts objective evaluation from a team of outside peer professionals trained by WASC; it maintains a qualified faculty within an effectively organized school; it collaboratively assesses the quality of its educational programs on a regular basis; and it plans for the future.”
In other words, the school provides a high-quality learning environment, maintains high academic standards, and is continually pursuing improvement and excellence—essentially our ethos here at SDA.
How Does a School Become Accredited?
To become WASC accredited, a school must first submit an application and complete some preliminary forms. From there, two representatives from WASC will visit the school for 1-2 days and then submit a report on their visit to the WASC Commission, a group comprising up to 35 education professionals. Members serve three-year terms.
SDA has completed all these steps and is now WASC-accredited!
The Benefits of Accreditation
There are many benefits of being (and attending!) a WASC-accredited institution, including:
Academic Recognition
Our WASC accreditation ensures that credits earned at SDA are widely recognized and transferable to other educational institutions. This opens doors for our students’ future educational endeavors and provides flexibility in their academic journey.
Commitment to Growth
WASC-accredited institutions commit to continuous growth and development. This means you can count on your child’s SDA experience to include cutting-edge technology and innovative, research-based educational practices.
Benefits When Applying to High School and College
Other institutions, including high schools and colleges, value WASC accreditation when making admissions decisions. So might some future employers!
Peace of Mind for Parents
WASC accreditation is just another reason that parents can rest assured that their student-athlete is learning from passionate instructors and staff, experiencing rigorous athletics and academics, and becoming an educated global citizen.
SDA is proud to be WASC-accredited—and to provide the high-quality educational and athletic environment in which our students thrive. Contact the SDA admissions team to learn more.