CyberPlainsman

NCA Accreditation

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 By Patrick Pajak & Songlin Cai

After two days in January of meticulous tests, interviews, and observations, the National Central Association concluded that Laramie High School is a great place for young adults to continue to develop their minds. The NCA was founded in 1895 and accredits 8500 schools, universities, and districts in 19 different states. Its purpose is to encourage academic excellence, improve teaching and learning. They accredit everything from pre-kindergarten, through post secondary schools. The process included selecting random students, teachers, parents, and faculty members for interviews. The NCA asked about their opinions of the school, along with the school’s quality. Ellen Nye, a junior at LHS said, “I think our student body has very diverse interests. We have interesting extracurricular activities that wouldn’t be available in other palaces. I also really like the open campus lunches.” The NCA team that visited LHS consisted of seven individuals; they are principles or superintendents from other school districts. Michael Klopfenstein of Cheyenne led the team that conducted the LHS accreditation. A few other things they were looking at were students’ involvement in classes, teaching techniques, athletics, and the school’s technological advances. “Most of the things they [the NCA] had to say about our school were positive, certainly about the students,” LHS instructor Angie Varca said. The students are positive about their school as well. Junior Levin Zars said, “I like LHS because it is a safe place to hang out with my friends, while I get to learn new and exciting things.” Zars concluded by saying, “I am very happy the NCA accredited the school.” Overall, as LHS instructor Carol Kirkwood put it, “We passed with flying colors.” The NCA accredits schools once every five to seven years, and rest assured; LHS will be hoping to impress the NCA in the future just as much as they did this year.