Accreditation Kicks Off Strategic Planning Process
Crescent’s recently completed CAIS Accreditation serves as the first step in the school’s strategic planning process that is currently underway. The report’s commendations and recommendations act as a blueprint for the school’s strengths and areas of opportunity.
Headmaster Michael Fellin presented the report highlights at an all-staff meeting in early October. He began by thanking everyone for their involvement. “Every school approaches accreditation differently. Some involve the whole staff; some don't. Some communicate results back to their staff; some don't. Our approach was to involve everybody and communicate the results once received,” he said. “Accreditation, on the whole, was a very valuable process to go through, and there is much to celebrate in this report.”
CAIS Accreditation supports continuous improvement in all aspects of independent schools. The 18-month process began with a full school self-study and concluded with a peer review visit from April 28 through May 1, 2024. Formerly a seven-year cycle, it now takes place every five years. The timing of Crescent’s accreditation was intentional. Much of what the report contains will find its way into our 2025–2030 strategic plan.
The report covers 12 standards across three main sections: 1) strategic direction, 2) education program, and 3) school operations. Commendations are things the school is doing exceptionally well; recommendations are areas of growth that require action and are classified into four types: urgent, high-priority, short-term, and long-term.
There were two areas in the report deemed urgent to ensure the high quality of school safety; both were addressed before students returned in September. One was the addition of a new crosswalk in the parking lot, and the second was ensuring faculty and staff receive regular, updated training and access to emergency procedures.
Other recommendations included the need to conduct an alumni survey to learn how to best engage them in future strategic initiatives and fundraising efforts, to review the number and scheduling of student co-curricular options, and to strengthen existing and explore new partnerships with local organizations as part of a financial assistance enrolment plan.
The report carried this message from the Peer Review Team: “It should be noted that the School is coming from a position of strength and is poised to develop a forward-thinking and goal-oriented strategic plan for the future. (...)Faculty and staff demonstrate their strong belief in the values of the School and it is clear from their passion for the community and the boys in their care that the mission—Men of Character from Boys of Promise—is one that everyone strives to uphold.” Their comments concluded with these words: “Thank you for sharing your warm and caring community with us. It was truly a gift to visit Crescent School.”
