High school passes NEASC accreditation with flying colors
By Angela Greiner Contributing Writer

Hudson - Hudson High School surpassed the standard high school expectations, receiving an outstanding review during its scheduled 10-year accreditation review.

The school was recently reviewed by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), which is the regional division of the national school regulation organization that has been primarily responsible for accrediting schools.

Kathy Somerville, chair of the steering committee, said the school did remarkably well. The accreditation process that last took place in 1997 is a major process, beginning with an evaluation that began more than two years ago.

The evaluation was then followed by a two-day school visit by a panel of specialists from all over New England. The panel evaluated the school on several elements, including teaching practices, curriculum, instruction methods, assessment evaluation of student learning, leadership, organization, and school resources.

In the final NEASC accreditation report, the school received an exemplary review in several areas. Somerville is a NEASC team accreditor responsible for reviewing other schools.

"This is a remarkable list," said Somerville, noting that the school received more than 30 commendable items. NEASC only gives out commendations when a school system is really exceeding expectations in a particular area.

"The number of commendable programs and services was extraordinary," Somerville said. "The school has to do something unusually good to be commended."

The positive review of the school's strengths spanned a variety of areas, including standards for accreditation on instruction, assessment of student learning, school resources for learning, and community resources for learning.

"The instructional practices in Hudson High School are exemplary and addresses the learning needs of all students," the NEASC report said.

Somerville was happy with the review of the quality of teaching.

"I am pleased with this because it sets us apart from other schools in New England," she said. "I am just happy that they recognize how successful our teaching staff is."

Some of the programs and services that were specifically recognized by the commission were: the well-maintained building; teachers' commitment to civic and social expectations; consistent assessment of students work; the principal's vision; positive and respectful school climate; student-to-guidance councilor ratio; engagement of parents and families; partnership with community organizations; school committee's support and understanding of the school; quality of the school's self-study; the state-of-the-art facility; students' access and use of the library and media center; the inclusion model; the cluster initiative; and co-curriculum learning.

The accreditation team expects all schools to submit a list of proposed improvements. The list of 10 recommended improvements suggested the following: provide formal leadership of the world language, fine arts and guidance departments; develop and implement a school-wide plan for assessing progress; develop and implement a program for at-risk students; and regulate temperatures throughout the building to ensure that all classrooms are conducive to learning throughout the year.

The school is subject to a twoyear progress report visit that will be conducted in October 2009.