106 Lutheran schools earn accreditation for 2013-14 academic year

For Immediate Release

Contact: Vicki Biggs, 314-996-1236, 314-556-3829 (cell), @theLCMS

Missouri Synod’s accreditation process assures schools are evaluated according to national quality standards, Christ-centered nature

ST. LOUIS, August 28, 2013—At its annual meeting July 30-Aug. 1, the National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA) commission – operated under the auspices of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) School Ministry – accredited 106 LCMS schools.

The newly accredited schools include:

18 early-childhood centers

80 elementary schools

Eight high schools

Most of the schools were applying to renew their accreditation. Accreditation is granted for a period of five years. Generally, schools begin the renewal process when they are in the fourth year of their accreditation. However, among those earning first-time accreditation was Hope Lutheran Christian School in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia.

“NLSA accreditation is special,” said Terry L. Schmidt, director of the LCMS’ school ministry. “The schools that undergo the process are evaluated according to national standards for educational quality, but their very Christ-centered nature also is evaluated. We thank and praise God for our schools that make the commitment to voluntarily engage in continuous improvement.”

At its meeting, NLSA leaders also passed sweeping changes to the organization’s evaluation materials and process.

“Our goal is to prepare students for vocation in the 21st century,” explained Schmidt. “Our process needed to be updated so as to become more relevant and transformational. The new evaluation process embraces 21st century teaching and learning methodologies, and will encourage our teachers to even better serve their students.”

The new accreditation process will encompass the use of these tools for teaching and learning in the 21st century:

Authentic assessment

Making accommodations

Individual learning styles

Service learning

Life skills

Critical thinking ability

Applied learning

Differentiation

Professional learning opportunities

NLSA encourages and recognizes schools that provide quality Christian education and engage in continuous improvement. To date, 701 of the Synod’s 2,300 schools – preschools, elementary schools and high schools – have chosen to undergo the vigorous self-study and evaluation the process requires.

To see a full list of the newly accredited schools, visit www.lcms.org/schools.

About The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is a biblical, confessional, witness-oriented Christian denomination with 2.3 million members – 600,000 households – in 6,200 congregations. Through acts of witness and mercy, the church carries out its mission worldwide to make known the love of Jesus Christ. Learn more at www.lcms.org.

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