Hillside Catholic Academy             

The Commission on Elementary Schools Grants

             Accreditation to  Hillside Catholic Academy.

The Middle States Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools are pleased to announce that Hillside Catholic Academy has been awarded accreditation  by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The award was announced by

Dr. Thomas L. Seidenberger, Chair of the Commission on Elementary Schools and Superintendent of the east Penn School District (Emmaus, PA), following the Commissions’ April 2011 meetings. Hillside Catholic Academy was one of approximately 200 schools so honored by the two Commissions.

MSCESS accreditation signifies the educational community of Hillside Catholic Academy has engaged in a rigorous process of developing self-knowledge: has hosted an evaluation team of independently- appointed educators; and has created an on-going Strategic Plan to move school improvement forward. This ten month process was governed by a Steering Committee, chaired by Judy Jones and
Pat D’agostino. The process involved many elements of the Hillside Catholic Academy community, including faculty, parents, and students.

Accreditation also signifies that Hillside Catholic Academy has met with the Middle States Standards for a quality school. These Standards reflect current research and best practices from throughout the eduction profession. During the term of  accreditation the school community will engage in a Commission-directed series of reports and/or site visits to maintain the vigor of the accreditation process.

MSCESS, which works with public and private schools from New York State to the District of Columbia, in the US Caribbean, and various locations around the globe, represents two of the three accrediting Commissions of the over 100-year old Middle States Association. The Middle States Association is the second-oldest regional accreditor in the United States and is comprised of the Commission on Elementary School, the Commission on Secondary Schools and the Commission on Higher Education.

Accreditation by MSCESS is recognized around the world as an indication of trustworthiness, educational quality, and a commitment to on-going school improvement. Henry G. Cram, Jr., Ed.D., President of MSCESS, offered his congratulations to the entire Hillside Catholic Academy community, adding: “ Middle States accreditation is recognition of both prior achievements and a commitment to greater future accomplishment.”