Pao School is delighted to announce that it has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
WASC accredits educational institutions in the United States and a select number of schools abroad. WASC accreditation signifies that an institution has the resources, policies and practices in place to achieve its educational goals. As a school improvement process, WASC acts as a foundation for high-quality education. Earning accreditation from WASC illustrates to the school community and the world that a school is committed to student learning and continuous improvement.
In WASC's 2016-2017 newsletter, Marilyn S. George, Vice President, Accrediting Commission for Schools, WASC, wrote:
The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) has been committed to a transforming, coherent Focus on Learning (FOL) process that empowers schools to develop an integrated, connected improvement process. Schools are engaged in reflection, assessment, and evaluation, culminating in the implementation of an updated action plan that is monitored and continually reassessed based on the impact on student learning and well-being.
Accreditation Pao School is now accredited by both WASC and the Council of International Schools (CIS), says Dr Paul Wood, Executive Principal of Pao School's Secondary Division. He notes that while Pao School has earned an excellent reputation over ten successful years, competition is intensifying in Shanghai's education industry. Thus, accreditation from both CIS and WASC is beneficial as it will help ensure that the Pao School name continues to grow beyond China. Overseas families and teachers who may be considering Pao School will see the CIS and WASC logos on our website and know that we are a school that can meet their needs.
This joint accreditation provides a truly global recognition of the quality of a Pao School education. Our senior secondary graduation diploma now has the same recognition as any US high school diploma. This is an amazing accomplishment.
Dr Paul Wood
Benefits of WASC accreditation include
It is no small feat for a young school to be accredited by both WASC and CIS. Thus, for Pao School (founded in 2007) to earn accreditation from both organisations is a remarkable achievement, showing the success of our mission of whole-person education, passing on traditions of Chinese culture and fostering an international perspective.
Incoming Executive Headmaster David Mansfield, who has worked at Pao School since January 2017, lauds the team of staff, governors, mentors and school leaders who made this award possible. He says:
Pao School is lucky to have in Paul Wood an expert in WASC accreditation, and in Mike Spencer a seasoned CIS assessor. They together with all the staff made this achievement possible. Under Philip Sohmen’s and Headmaster Wu’s inspirational leadership, the school has genuinely come of age. But this is only the beginning - the foundation of what is emerging as a truly world-class school.
