HIGH SCHOOL EARNS MIDDLE STATES
REACCREDITATION
Music, School Counseling & Visual Arts Named Programs of Distinction
F
ox Chapel Area High School has earned
reaccreditation by the Middle States Association
Commissions on Elementary and Secondary
Schools (MSA-CESS), a worldwide leader in
accreditation and continuous school improvement.
“Middle States accreditation serves as an independent
validation of the good work we do, and the reaccreditation
process again focused our attention on comprehensive
planning and continuous improvement practices,” said Fox
Chapel Area High School Lead Principal Michael Hower,
Ed.D. “We are proud to have earned reaccreditation and
look forward to continuing to work with our administrators,
teachers, and parents to provide a high-quality education for
all students.”
Accreditation is a multifaceted evaluation process that schools
and school systems voluntarily use to demonstrate they
are meeting a defined set of research-based performance
standards. The 12 Middle States Standards for Accreditation
are: mission; governance and leadership; school improvement
planning; finances; facilities; school organization and staff;
health and safety; educational program; assessment and
evidence of student learning; student services; student life and
activities; and information resources.
The accreditation process, which Fox Chapel Area undertakes
every seven years, begins with a self-study that is conducted
by the school and requires input from school leaders, teachers,
parents, and students. Following the self-study, a team of
volunteer educators from Middle States member schools
conducts an on-site peer review visit to observe school
operations and interview various stakeholders.
In addition to the general reaccreditation, the music, school
counseling, and visual arts departments at the high school
received Program of Distinction status for the second time.
The Middle States Programs of Distinction initiative provides
external validation of an accredited school’s accomplishments
in specific areas of expertise. It also enables departments
to identify strengths and areas for growth, and provides
High school art teacher Sarah Stewart assists a student in a jewelry and
glass class.
inspiration and recommendations for maintaining a high-
quality program.
Fox Chapel Area High School first received Programs of
Distinction in Music and School Counseling in 2012, and in
the Visual Arts in 2015. Of note, in 2012, Fox Chapel Area’s
school counseling department was the first ever in the history
of Middle States to receive Program of Distinction status, and
the music department was the first public school to receive the
award. Additionally, in 2015, Fox Chapel Area High School
was the first school – nationally and internationally – to
receive Program of Distinction status in Visual Arts.
“Earning a Program of Distinction is an important
accomplishment for any school,” said Lisa Marie McCauley,
president of MSA-CESS. “Successfully pursuing three
Programs of Distinction in diverse fields is an especially
impressive feat. We commend Fox Chapel Area and its
faculty and staff for their perseverance and commitment to
excellence.”
The Fox Chapel Area High School counselors are, from left to right, John
Baxter, Rachel Machen, Dana Papalia, Tara DeComo, Ben O’Connor, and
Tim McLister.
10
FOX CHAPEL AREA
According to the high school counseling department chair,
Tara DeComo, the intensive self-study process and thoroughly