The New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) mission statement reads “NYSAIS promotes the independence, well-being and public understanding of, and respect for, New York independent schools and serves as an accrediting body chartered by the New York State Board of Regents.”
The NYSAIS accreditation process confirms that a school meets the highest standards through a rigorous, year-long process centered on a comprehensive self-study that examines every aspect of school life in relation to its mission. Following this, a committee of peer experts visits the school and reports to the NYSAIS Commission for Accreditation, which recommends accreditation terms to the NYSAIS Board of Trustees. All full NYSAIS member schools are required to be accredited by this body, which is authorized by the New York State Board of Regents. The re-accreditation cycle is continuous and happens every ten years, and it is a tenuous process of self-study.
Over the last school year, this summer, and continuing until now, Ms. Jill Walker, Mr. Stephen Reed, Mr. Gino Riffle, Mr. Tom Broderick, and ten other veteran Northwood faculty members worked on the document and process.
“I was chosen because I ran the same process 10 years ago and have good organizational skills,” said Ms. Walker. She also said, “The most difficult part has been trying to coordinate all the different people that have to take part in the different sections and find time for them to do the work necessary to create the document.”
First-year Headmaster Gino Riffle said, “Ms. Walker and Mr. Reed drove the re-accreditation process with the help of appointed heads of different steering committees. These individuals organized smaller groups of faculty and staff to address specific questions set by NYSAIS and culminated in a document presented to the visiting committee. I was brought in to consult in certain areas, but the work was really done by Ms. Walker and Mr. Reed.”
“The process allows us to give ourselves the credentials to continue teaching. For me, it provides a roadmap for approaching a vision and strategic plan for the next five years, working with colleagues and board members to continue the growth of our school. It also allowed us to reflect on what we do well and areas we can improve,” said Mr. Riffle about how this re-accreditation process makes Northwood a better place for students and faculty.
This tenuous re-accreditation process should prove worth it in the long run, as it will allow Northwood to continue to operate at its high standards and uphold its core values.
