School principal Yvonne Reyes said this is the second six-year accreditation granted to GES.
“GES has always valued a classroom atmosphere that encourages creative thinking and contextual learning,” she said in an interview. “We are satisfied with the WASC visit and elated that they have decided, through their own observations of our daily activities and operations, to affirm our six-year accreditation.”
Reyes said GES will continue to provide quality of services to its students.
The next accreditation visit will be in 2011.
GES was commended for providing at least two computers to each classroom, consistent participation in workshops on reading, thematic teaching, science, character education and physical education strategies.
“Despite the current economical conditions of the island and budget setbacks, GES continues to make strides in providing relevant and current professional development training for teachers and staff,” the WASC report stated.
GES, it added, has provided a positive environment for learning and its classroom teachers are effective in the content areas for meaningful student learning.
Its activities and programs that aim to address accreditation issues were also lauded by the accreditation team that visited GES in May.
These include the Teacher Learning Communities, the school’s focus on Expected Schoolwide Learning Results and Mega Skills, Teen Talk Too, Project Familia, HIV/Wellness, and the school nutrition and physical fitness program.
“The leadership continues to empower the faculty and staff to promote a learning atmosphere that is encouraging and nurturing,” the WASC report stated. “The faculty and staff participate in multidisciplinary teams for child study, character education, faculty meetings, grade level meetings, accreditation meetings, school in-service, and state professional development.”
In its recommendations, WASC noted the lack of a compulsory kindergarten program that “impacts first grade teachers who are faced with a large number of students entering school with no basic academic or social skills.”
At the beginning of school year 2007-2008, some 31 percent of GES’ first grade students had no previous school experience.
To address this concern, WASC said GES continues to prioritize kindergarten instruction, “stretching its funding to provide two teachers who teach double sessions.”
The accreditation team said there is a need to be “more pro-active in renovating and building adequate safe and secure facilities including playground areas, electrical infrastructure and main campus structure to accommodate all GES students on the main campus.”
GES expects to have over 800 this school year.
“Because of the many challenges facing the school, there is a critical need for all stakeholders at Garapan Elementary School, to take a strong responsible role in meeting the fiscal and educational challenges that face the school,” the WASC report stated.
