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Saipan International impresses WASC
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Posted on Apr 23 1999
Its class size, curriculum and standard will secure Saipan International School its first accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges since it was founded five years ago.
During a meeting with the accreditation team and school officials, the maximum of 16 students each class was listed as one of its strengths. Currently the school has 125 students from its pre-kinder to grade 9 classes.
According to the team, the school’s on going parent and teacher communication is one of its kind, said Mark Udstuen, who is presently the officer-in-charge of SIS. The chairman of the accreditation team told officials that it was his first time to witness a school’s impressive parental involvement and discussion with teachers after so many years visiting campuses.
“All the time we have parents coming in,” Udstuen said. The school also distributed a weekly newsletter called as the “Friday Folder” to inform parents the activities and programs that took place during the week.
Its theme-based curriculum was also commended by the WASC officials. The school maintains an academic portfolio for each student containing samples of their work in all areas of the curriculum. A conference between parents and teacher is scheduled end of each quarter where the portfolio is presented. The portfolio follows each student, from kindergarten to the next grade.
With its current size and operations, WASC told SIS to keep up with the good work in serving the community of Saipan.
