WCEA

Catholic School Accreditation … a process for determining the quality of a school’s overall Catholic Identity and educational program. The Catholic school examines itself in order to understand what is working well for the total school community and what it needs to do better to meet the learning needs of the students and to ensure long-term viability and vitality.

LEGACY & EXPERIENCE

WCEA is the oldest and largest Catholic accreditation agency in the United States, with over 60 years of experience, serving over 900 schools and 30 archdioceses in 11 states (and Guam). WCEA developed Catholic accreditation in America, and we are constantly learning and growing to provide the best tools for Catholic schools today.

AUTHENTIC CATHOLIC IDENTITY

WCEA accreditation calls schools to examine everything it means to be a Catholic school, including:

• Effective instruction and catechesis that aligns with the USCCB Conformity Listing of Catechetical Texts and Series
• Effective formation programs for students through prayer, Liturgy, Sacraments, service, retreats, spiritual guidance, etc.
• Infusion of Catholic Identity in all aspects of curriculum and school programs.
• Ongoing formation of school administrators, faculty, staff, parents, and other stakeholders.

DATA BASED/STANDARDS BASED

WCEA utilizes the National Standards and Benchmarks of Effective Catholic Schools (NSBECS) in designing a data-based protocol that leads schools in self-examination, self-evaluation, and goal-setting in each of the following four domains:

• Catholic Identity & Mission
• Governance & Leadership
• Academic Excellence
• Operational Vitality

ONGOING IMPROVEMENT

Schools develop and monitor a comprehensive improvement plan to address critical needs identified in the Self-Study process.

OUTSIDE VERIFICATION

WCEA couples a school’s Self-Study with a team of professional peer educators who visit the school to verify the accuracy of the school’s report as well as provide additional input on the current state of the school and its plans for ongoing improvement.

SITE-BASED ACCREDITATION

Focusing on individual needs of all Catholic schools, WCEA accreditation serves Catholic elementary and secondary schools with a variety of curriculum focus, charism, and governance to include: 

• Parish Schools
• Classical Curriculum Schools
• Dual Language Immersion Schools STEM/STEAM/STREAM program schools
• Independent Catholic Schools
• Microschools

CO-ACCREDITATION WITH REGIONAL AGENCIES

WCEA partners with secular accrediting agencies to offer Catholic schools dual accreditation using the authentically Catholic WCEA protocol.

CENTRALIZED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

WCEA provides all member schools, visiting committees, and (arch)diocesan commissioners live training and support in all stages of the accreditation process.

LOCAL SUPPORT

Local Commissioners for each member arch/diocese monitor and support the accreditation process and ongoing progress of all arch/diocesan schools.

VOICE FOR EVERY MEMBER ARCH/DIOCESE

WCEA organization allows for each arch/diocesan Commissioner to sit on the WCEA Commission, providing input on the accreditation protocols and processes, as well as helping to determine the direction of the organization.