We are extremely pleased and proud to announce that as of May 1, 2024, Riverside Montessori Academy has been granted accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Riverside Montessori Academy’s accreditation status extends through June 30, 2027, and is a testimony to the dedicated Directors, faculty,  and staff committed to high-quality learning and well-being for all students through a continuous improvement process.

 

The visiting committee report noted the following areas of strength exhibited within our school community:

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• RIVMA’s vision and mission are the foundation for the school and inform all decision-making. 

• RIVMA leadership and staff excels in fostering an inclusive and supportive learning atmosphere that celebrates diversity, offering a secure and respectful environment for all students. 

• Leadership and staff embrace multi-age classrooms that provide diverse learning opportunities and smaller class sizes which contribute to a nurturing and focused academic setting. This blend supports a rigorous curriculum, guaranteeing individualized attention. 

• The school community is dedicated to the Montessori approach which provides a distinctive and imaginative educational method that addresses the holistic development of each child. This approach emphasizes personalized learning and tailored instruction. Parents especially noted that RIVMA does an excellent job at personalizing the education for each child. Parents and teachers also noted how this approach allows for students to become independent, confident learners who feel empowered about their own education. 

• Leadership and teachers foster strong connections with parents, prioritizing accessibility and responsiveness to address concerns promptly and efficiently, scheduling meetings as needed. Parents reported that communication between the school and home is strong.

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The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), a world-renowned accrediting association and one of the six regional accrediting agencies in the United States, works closely with the Office of Overseas Schools under the U.S. Department of State. WASC provides assistance to schools worldwide, especially in California, Hawaii, Guam, Asia, the Pacific Region, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.  Accreditation is a collaborative self-reflection and evaluation of all aspects of the school’s program and its impact on student learning and well-being based on the WASC research-based criteria. Furthermore, accreditation is a certification to the public that the school is a trustworthy institution of learning and well-being that is committed to continuous improvement. 

 

WASC accreditation demonstrates:

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• The school is substantially accomplishing its stated purposes and functions identified as appropriate for an institution of its type

• The school is meeting an acceptable level of quality in accordance with the WASC criteria adopted by the Accrediting Commission

• Assures the school community that the school’s purposes are appropriate and being accomplished through a viable education program  — a trustworthy institution for student learning

• Validates the integrity of the school’s program

• Provides a process for regularly examining programs, processes, and data around school goals and student learning through data analysis, reflection, inquiry, and dialogue

• Builds a professional culture to support the school-wide action plan

• Fosters the continuous improvement of the school’s programs and operations to support student learning

• Provides valuable insight from fellow educators visiting the school

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