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April 15, 2021The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)The Mid-Atlantic Region Commission on Higher Education, doing business as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), was formally incorporated under Pennsylvania Commonwealth law on March 1, 2013. From its origins in 1919 through February 2013, the Commission was a unit of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is now an independent corporation.
ABOUT US
The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to conduct accreditation and pre-accreditation (candidacy status) activities for institutions of higher education in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including distance education and correspondence education programs offered at those institutions. MSCHE is also recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to accredit degree-granting institutions which offer one or more post-secondary educational programs of at least one academic year in length in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and any other geographic areas in which the Commission elects to conduct accrediting activities within the United States.
The Commission is a voluntary, non-governmental, membership association that defines, maintains, and promotes educational excellence across institutions with diverse missions, student populations, and resources. It examines each institution as a whole, rather than specific programs within institutions.
Highlights of Middle States Committee Report on
Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic School
∙ The St. Michael’s community is an observed and confirmed reality. The school is a true, “Old School, Catholic School.” This is not stated in an antiquated, old-fashioned, inadequate way. In all the aspects of the Profile of the school, SMA reflects its rich history, present reality, and dedication of the school leadership and staff to serve their constituents in raising the next generation in a faith-based, quality education...while having a rich desire to grow and develop.
∙ SMA has a great balance of student performance within the context of a faith-based learning environment. Test scores are an empirical evidence of student performance, yet the evidence of the added element of faith development in the school’s overall program is exemplary. This faith and learning relationship binds the school stakeholders’ together (administration, staff, parents, supporters) in an extraordinary manner. It seems to have an impact on student performance and achievement of the students.
The MSA Visiting Team has no specific recommendations to make to this section. Our observations, interviews, and inspection of the evidence all conclude that there is a direct correlation between the atmosphere of learning created at “St. Mike’s” and what the student performance data indicate.
The Visiting Team observed that:
● The Mission, Beliefs, and Profile of the Graduate are the strongest foundational and operational elements of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School
● These live and breathe, and have their being in the fabric of the school...it’s contagious to anyone (MSA Team included!) who enter and spend any time among the school’s stakeholders
Fall 2020 Visit Report: St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School, Levittown PA 16
Recommendations
In this section, the Team lists any recommendations to the school regarding how it can improve its Mission, Beliefs, and/or Profile of Graduates. Recommendations are suggestions and ideas of the Visiting Team, but the school is not required to accept or act on them.
● Keep it going…!
The Visiting Team observed that:
● The school’s Mission is posted on every classroom wall at the entrance to the room ● The Principal promotes the Mission in his demeanor, his supervision of his staff, his relationship with the students and parents, and encourages the expression of the Mission in all the school represents.
● The Mission is stated in a number of published ways including the school’s website, newsletters, classroom artwork, hallways, etc.
● Teachers expressed the Mission in some form in the interviews and conversations.
The Visiting Team determined that the school exceeds the expectations of this Standard in the following ways:
● In summarizing the observations above, the school exceeds the expectations of this Standard with the immersion of the Mission into every aspect of the life and operation of the school. ● The Principal not only promotes the Mission with the faculty, but actually “lives it out” in his dealings with all who enter St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School
● The school expands the Mission into the intellectual, personal, social, as well as spiritual life of the teachers, parents, and students (stakeholders) who call “St. Mike’s home.
● This is a very central and consistent area of the school’s environment and atmosphere ● Mission may well be the strongest Standard of the school.
● It is evident that their strong Mission has helped carry the school through the pandemic crisis and has helped stabilize the atmosphere of the school to “weather the storm.”
● St. Michael the Archangel began their accreditation process before the onset of the pandemic. Obviously, things changed very rapidly and drastically for this small, financially struggling school. It was in this that the school’s Mission evidenced itself in how the church/school community rallied around itself in order to “Keep Calm & Carry On.”
Recommendations
In this section, the Team lists any recommendations to the school regarding how it can improve the degree to which it meets the requirements of this Standard and/or its Indicators of Quality. Recommendations are suggestions by the Team, but the school is not required to accept or act on them.
The Visiting Team recommends:
Fall 2020 Visit Report: St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School, Levittown PA 20
● Keep it going.
Father Michael and Mr. “D” (Principal) have a long and close relationship which gives both leadership and support for St. Michael’s operations.
The Visiting Team determined that the school exceeds the expectations of this Standard in the following ways:
● The school is compliant with all local, State, and ecclesiastical governing ordinances and regulations ● The leadership goes well beyond expectations in building community, a faith/learning environment, and a nurturing atmosphere for their children
● All stakeholders are committed to the program, environment, and teaching of SMA ● The Principal of the school is very much involved in the Catholic educational community, serving on a number of committees in garnering support for his school and seeking avenues of funding for growth and development.
● There is a strong sense of community among all the stakeholders, that has been created by the principal’s personality, love of the children, commitment to his staff, and his deep faith.
● Respect and confidence in their principal and pastor.
● The very open and supportive manner in which the staff of St. Michael’s work with one another.
The Visiting Team determined that the school exceeds the expectations of this Standard in the following ways:
● The school is to be commended for compiling detailed plans for managing the COVID situation to provide a safe environment for the return of students and staff to school last September.
In this section, the Team lists 1) any general observations regarding the degree to which the school meets this Standard and/or its Indicators of Quality and 2) any areas in which the school exceeds the requirements of this Standard and/or its Indicators of Quality.
The Visiting Team observed that:
● Technology was used to assist with instruction.
● Deliberate strategies for keeping students attention, i.e. spell this with me as you write it on your paper
● Expanding the efforts for additional STREAM opportunities the school has brought The Science Fusion program to SMA
● The school provides faith based experiences that develop religious formation with activities such as Pennywalk, Saint’s Parade, and prayer partners.
● The educational program, as seen, reflects current research and best practices, as displayed in differentiated assessments and teaching individually, small groups, and large groups.
The Visiting Team determined that the school exceeds the expectations of this Standard in the following ways:
● Teachers promoted active learning by referring to projects students had constructed ● School provides complete consistency with its educational program for students during the time of COVID-19.
The Visiting Team observed that:
● Data from Terra Nova standardized testing is used to assist in identifying student learning needs ● Students are offered extra credit opportunities as an alternative to traditional written tests ● Teachers set high yet attainable expectations for student performance
The Visiting Team determined that the school exceeds the expectations of this Standard in the following ways:
● Parents and students are very satisfied with communication from teachers regarding assessment grades
The Visiting Team observed that:
● The school provides student activities for all ages and interests that enhance the educational programs
● Students and staff are recognized for accomplishments and contributions
● The school actively encourages and promotes students involvement in co-curricular or extra curricular activities within the school and the community
● The Staff, students, and parents have great pride in the school and it’s successes.
● Staff, students, and parents all referenced the community as a family, not just a school.
The Visiting Team determined that the school exceeds the expectations of this Standard in the following ways:
● The incredibly varied scope of activities offered to students from horticulture to chess or robotics provides for an array of interests, bringing literally something for everyone.
Recommendations
In this section, the Team lists any recommendations to the school regarding how it can improve the degree to which it meets the requirements of this Standard and/or its Indicators of Quality. Recommendations are suggestions by the Team, but the school is not required to accept or act on them.
The Visiting Team recommends:
● NONE at this time
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Highlights ORAL REPORT Bill Stevens,
Chair of the Middle States Visiting Team to
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School.- For those of you who haven’t met me…yet heard the rousing applause that Mr. “D” called for each morning, I am I am the Middle States Visiting Team Chair Bill Stevens. Thank you for staying this afternoon to hear the Visiting Team report. It certainly has been a different experience for us all, with its own set of circumstances, limitations, and challenges (We were scheduled to be here in April!). Yet, we, of the visiting team (me) will leave SMA at the end of this report feeling that we have had a full and rich experience in your school. We appreciate the warm reception we have received and the passion with which you have shared your love for both the school and your students...believe me, it showed!
- This oral report is a brief summary of the major points that will be included in the written report. We asked nearly all of the groups with whom we interviewed to identify what they see as the primary strengths of your school. The overwhelming responses can be summarized by the word “COMMUNITY.” Many schools talk about being a community of learners, but “St. Mike’s” is an example of such a community…and so much more. Your shared faith, mission, and love for your students bears witness to this!
- We are also impressed by the uniformity with which the parents and community members support the work of St. Michael’s. This degree of support can be seen in the fact that, while your tuition cannot fund the full cost of operations, the school community comes together in promotion and fund-raising to meet the needs.
- You have a strong, professional teaching staff that certainly goes well beyond “just teaching, and just your classroom.” Behind the strength of the SMA leadership (pastor – behind the scenes, Mr. “D” at the helm, and Mrs. Viola / Mrs. “O” providing the hands-on leadership, you have developed a team who fully exemplifies the meaning of a faith/learning/loving environment. Some of your commendations…
Ø Catapult Learning!
Ø COVID Plans and implementation!
Ø Steady financial accounting in the midst of these times (Jane Brown)
Ø Mr. “D”s involvement in the Catholic educational community, championing his school
Ø STRONG emersion of the school’s MISSION into all expressions and experiences you give to your students
- We heard from students that a strength of your school is the caring and concern the teachers have for them. Your students told us how much they love their school and have strong relationships with their teachers and principal. One student characterized as, “I love that we pray so much!” (Don’t you wish you could bottle this?) You’ve fostered a great atmosphere here of nurturing faith and promoting strong learning…all of it culminating in a vibrant Christian education of strong principles and strong teaching. It’s just that simple…yet just that vital to the health of your school…THE STUDENTS LOVE IT HERE…it’s natural, and it shows!
- Oh, one more thing…You’re doing too much! You’re making the rest of us look bad! I could not believe during the teacher interviews, when you were asked about student activities, the list you rattled off! Then when my team member was going to move on…a teacher said she had more…! “You have an incredibly varied scope of activities…something for everyone” (comment from one of the team members - Tina).
- The parents with whom we spoke all love this place. They mentioned the strong emphasis on faith and academics here at SMA. Comments like, “They value us here!” / “My children have always been very prepared to go to the next level,” / “It’s like heaven on earth…” One parent remarked, “The Principal spends a lot of time in the classroom each day!” Teachers expressed this same sentiment…but seemed to have a different degree of enthusiasm…
- Seriously, I’ve been in Christian education now for over 40 years…I know what a Christian-based school looks like. You testify to the definition!
- You have had to conduct this accreditation process in some very adverse times. Personally, I enjoyed being on site these past 3 days! While we have to be safe and diligent in upholding the protocols, it has been refreshing to “see” the children, and you in your “normal environment.”
- Now, let me move to the accreditation recommendation we will make to the Commission on Elementary Schools. As I stated earlier, part of the decision regarding whether to recommend accreditation of St. Michael the Archangel is based on whether you meet the 12 standards for accreditation. These standards address every aspect of the programs, services, and resources you provide for your students. They also address the school’s capacity to provide an appropriate education based on the standards and expectations of your community.
- The second factor we must consider in making our accreditation recommendation is whether SMA meets the requirements of the Excellence by Design protocol. With regard to these requirements, we found that SMA has a school improvement plan focused on improving student performance, and action plans to achieve the objectives. We also found almost universal agreement regarding the areas of student performance on which your objectives focus.
- Now, we get to the part you all have been waiting for. I am honored to announce that the team will recommend to the Middle States Commission that St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School be accredited under the EXCELLENCE BY DESIGN protocol for seven years.
- As I leave, the members of the Visiting Team wish to thank all of you for opening your school to us, for sharing with us your hopes, your dreams, and your concerns, and for your wonderful hospitality. Our experience here has been a rich and rewarding one. Thank you to Mr. “D” and Father Dilorio for their leadership in always keeping the work of St. Mike’s before the community, and for THEIR work in keeping it going…
- BIG THANKS, ESPECIALLY go to Mrs. “O” and Mrs. Viola, your Internal Coordinators, for their hard work in preparing your school for the visit, for organizing our time “here,” and for being so accommodating and responsive to our requests and needs.
We wish you the Lord’s favor and success in all your endeavors.
Thank you and God Bless...
Bill Stevens,
Chair of the Middle States Visiting Team to
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School.