The Value of Accreditation
As we continue to prepare for the opening of Christ Lutheran High School we are continually reminded that this work is about more than opening the doors of a new school. We are laying a foundation for a ministry that we pray will impact students, families, churches, and communities for generations to come.
Our mission is clear: to prepare students to be Christian leaders in all walks of life, providing strong college-preparatory, vocational, and agricultural education while helping every student know his or her identity in Christ.
One important part of laying that foundation is accreditation.
Accreditation: What is it and Why do we do it?
Accreditation is an independent evaluation process that asks whether the school is meeting established standards for educational quality, governance, personnel, curriculum, student services, facilities, finance, and continuous improvement.
For us, accreditation is not simply about receiving a certificate or checking a box. It is about being willing to ask ourselves, “Are we doing what we say we are going to do – and are doing it well?”
As we build a new school, that accountability is valuable. We are in the process of pursing accreditation right now through a series of modules provided by Iowa Christian Schools Association. This process will help us establish strong practices from the beginning rather than trying to correct weaknesses later.
Why NLSA?
Christ Lutheran High School is pursuing accreditation through National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA). NLSA is specifically designed for Lutheran schools and understands the unique mission of Lutheran education.
NLSA understands both sides of what we are seeking to accomplish: academic excellence and faithful Lutheran education.
NLSA evaluates areas such as school purpose, governance, professional personnel, student services, teaching and learning, relationships, facilities, and finances. The process includes our own careful self-evaluation as well as an external review. This occurs within a 5-year cycle, and repeats itself in another five years, and so on.
That is important because our goal is not simply to earn an accreditation designation. Our goal is to become a better school through ongoing school improvement while preserving our identity in Christ.
We want strong teachers, excellent academics, responsible governance, financial accountability, effective student support, and a culture of continuous improvement – all while keeping Christ at the center of our mission. In other words, we will not simply tell others that Christ Lutheran High School is a quality Lutheran school. We will be prepared to show the evidence.
Why is This Especially Important Today?
Iowa’s Education Savings Account program has brought increased attention to accredited nonpublic schools. Families have more opportunities to choose the educational setting that best serves their children, and with these opportunities comes an important responsibility for schools.
Families and taxpayers want to know: “How do we know this school is providing a quality education?”
Accreditation is one important answer.
As Lutheran schools, we welcome that accountability. We want to be good stewards of the resources God provides – including financial resources entrusted to our families, donors, and supporters. Most importantly, we recognize that we will be entrusted with something far more valuable than financial resources: the lives and futures of young people.
Preparing for the Future
We believe accreditation will help Christ Lutheran High School become the kind of school our community needs and our students deserve.
It will help establish strong educational practices.
It will encourage continual improvement.
It will provide accountability.
And it will help us remain focused on our mission.
But accreditation is not our ultimate goal.
Faithful Christian education is the goal.
Student growth is the goal.
Preparing Christian leaders is the goal.
And above all, pointing young people to Jesus Christ is the ultimate goal.
We are building carefully. We are building intentionally. We are building with accountability. And we are building on the foundation that matters most – Jesus Christ.
– Jan Doellinger
Assistant to the President – Schools, Iowa District East
Member Ex Officio, CLHS Board of Directors
