Epiphany's Accreditation Process
For over a year the entire staff at Epiphany has been working toward our accreditation review sponsored by the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE). The first step in the process was a comprehensive self-study in which every aspect of life at Epiphany was explained in writing. This was a major endeavor in which the whole school became involved. Frannie Armstrong, founding master teacher, and Bill Polk, chair of the Governance Committee, shepherded this immense process, eventually producing a comprehensive (and beautifully presented) master document.
A six-member team from six different AISNE member schools was given the task of getting to know Epiphany very well. Their first assignment was to read the self-study carefully and write down questions they wanted to ask during their visit. The team arrived on Sunday night, Feb. 8th and was welcomed by a friendly dinner organized by Makeeba McCreary in our cafeteria with trustees, teachers and parent representation. For the next three days these six people examined every facet of life at Epiphany. They visited classes, interviewed teachers, students, parents, and volunteers, met with trustees and non-teaching staff, asked lots of questions and observed every moment of typical days at Epiphany. The guiding goal for the visiting team was how Epiphany was living into its mission.
Epiphany is a tuition-free middle-school for children of low-income families from Boston neighborhoods. We admit children of diverse faiths, races, cultures, and cognitive profiles, believing in the Episcopal tradition that we find God in and through each other's presence.
Epiphany's small classes, individualized curricula, and extended school days provide rigorous academic, moral, and social instruction. In close partnership with families, we are an innovative learning community that affords structured support to help students thrive. Together, we are a school that never gives up on a child.
Epiphany challenges students to discover and develop the fullness of their individual gifts. We seek to prepare graduates who will contribute intelligently, morally and actively to the society they will inherit.
On the last day of their visit two members of the visiting team gathered the Epiphany staff in the library for an emotional conclusion. They commented on the clear dedication and determination our staff exhibited in working toward the success of each and every student, identified a clear commitment from our trustees, and likened the work of our teachers to that of "angels". From a staff perspective, having this outside group of educators understand and appreciate our mission and its ramifications was a powerful tribute.
AISNE will soon receive the evaluation from our review team. There are two final steps. One is a vote by the AISNE board as to whether or not we should receive accreditation. The other is a report back to Epiphany that carefully comments on each section of the self-study, telling us where they found us to be strong and where there are areas that need improving. The next step for Epiphany will be to study this report and set our goals for the future.
-Sherley Smith, Volunteer Coordinator
For over a year the entire staff at Epiphany has been working toward our accreditation review sponsored by the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE). The first step in the process was a comprehensive self-study in which every aspect of life at Epiphany was explained in writing. This was a major endeavor in which the whole school became involved. Frannie Armstrong, founding master teacher, and Bill Polk, chair of the Governance Committee, shepherded this immense process, eventually producing a comprehensive (and beautifully presented) master document.
A six-member team from six different AISNE member schools was given the task of getting to know Epiphany very well. Their first assignment was to read the self-study carefully and write down questions they wanted to ask during their visit. The team arrived on Sunday night, Feb. 8th and was welcomed by a friendly dinner organized by Makeeba McCreary in our cafeteria with trustees, teachers and parent representation. For the next three days these six people examined every facet of life at Epiphany. They visited classes, interviewed teachers, students, parents, and volunteers, met with trustees and non-teaching staff, asked lots of questions and observed every moment of typical days at Epiphany. The guiding goal for the visiting team was how Epiphany was living into its mission.
Epiphany is a tuition-free middle-school for children of low-income families from Boston neighborhoods. We admit children of diverse faiths, races, cultures, and cognitive profiles, believing in the Episcopal tradition that we find God in and through each other's presence.
Epiphany's small classes, individualized curricula, and extended school days provide rigorous academic, moral, and social instruction. In close partnership with families, we are an innovative learning community that affords structured support to help students thrive. Together, we are a school that never gives up on a child.
Epiphany challenges students to discover and develop the fullness of their individual gifts. We seek to prepare graduates who will contribute intelligently, morally and actively to the society they will inherit.
On the last day of their visit two members of the visiting team gathered the Epiphany staff in the library for an emotional conclusion. They commented on the clear dedication and determination our staff exhibited in working toward the success of each and every student, identified a clear commitment from our trustees, and likened the work of our teachers to that of "angels". From a staff perspective, having this outside group of educators understand and appreciate our mission and its ramifications was a powerful tribute.
AISNE will soon receive the evaluation from our review team. There are two final steps. One is a vote by the AISNE board as to whether or not we should receive accreditation. The other is a report back to Epiphany that carefully comments on each section of the self-study, telling us where they found us to be strong and where there are areas that need improving. The next step for Epiphany will be to study this report and set our goals for the future.
-Sherley Smith, Volunteer Coordinator
