Middle States Association
of Colleges and Schools Background

The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools was established in 1887.  This is one of six regional accrediting associations whose initial mission was related to the College Board and admission standards.  In 1926, it began accreditation of secondary schools and in 1978, elementary schools.  A single board of trustees oversees the entire process.

The structure of the Middle States Association (MSA) is a volunteer-based organization that provides self-study and self-improvement instruments for schools. The purpose of a self-study is to assist schools in discovering their strengths and identifying their weaknesses.  By identifying these weaknesses, school communities are then able to develop and launch a strategic plan leading schools to embark on a continual path for improvement.   MSA consistently evaluates its own protocols in an effort to offer the finest instruments to the various educational institutions it serves.

Notre Dame of Bethlehem School initiated its self-study in the spring of 1991.  Led by our steering committee, we composed our philosophy and conducted an in-depth study of our community, student services, curriculum areas, Religion program, leadership and organization as well as resources.  A visiting team evaluated our school in the spring of 1993, and we received our first accreditation on October 29, 1993.

In our third year progress report, completed in May 1997, we examined the goals set in our initial strategic plan and evaluated their degree of implementation.  We then set future strategic goals to further our self-improvement.

For our sixth year progress report, we developed a DOAS, or Description of an Accredited School, by introducing our Notre Dame of Bethlehem School web site in May 2000.

The decision was made in 2003 to complete a project evaluation for accreditation renewal.  Notre Dame continued its journey toward education excellence by choosing a project entitled “Strengthening our Catholic Community through Conflict Resolution and Peer Mediation.”  We piloted and continue to utilize the Second Step Curriculum developed by the Committee for Children.  This program has guided our school community in developing positive social and emotional skills that cultivate an atmosphere of respect and a trusting acceptance of self and others. 

Through the completion of annual reports submitted to the evaluators of the Commission on Elementary Schools (CES) since 1994, Notre Dame has demonstrated advances in the quality of educational experiences it offers to the students.  We have met standards for: 

VDefining appropriate educational goals and providing educational programs to achieve these goals.
VMaintaining a qualified faculty and effective school organization.
VAssessing outcomes of school experiences and controlling quality educational programs.
VResponding to concerns of parents and needs of the school community.
VProviding for the continuity of its programs and planning for their future.
VDescribing with accuracy the content of its services and programs. 

Notre Dame of Bethlehem School complies with the standards for accreditation that are established by the CES and approved by the membership of the Association and has been granted re-accreditation for the period of November 2003 through May 2010.  Our school is dedicated to the continuous monitoring of progress and to further self-improvement toward excellence in Catholic education.