Music conservatory awarded accreditation status
—Daily Bee file photo Isabella Smith, left, and Lila Kinman play the cello at a Music Conservatory of Sandpoint concert last year.
Meeting or exceeding 10 stringent criteria, Music Conservatory of Sandpoint has received a more than positive mid-cycle review to continue their accreditation through June 2019.
The Accrediting Commission for Schools Western Association of Schools and Colleges accredits K-12 schools and not-for-profit, non-degree granting postsecondary institutions.
“We are the only accredited school of performing arts in our region,” MCS board chair Kathi Samuels said, “and, I would love to give a shout out to the hard work that our instructors and administrators put toward our mission – ‘to instruct and inspire musical excellence.’”
Accreditation is voluntary, but MCS feels that the benefits are of utmost importance to the organization and students. Accreditation emphasizes a commitment to meeting high standards of quality education. With over fifteen instructors, MCS is able to provide specialized performing arts classes and workshops each year.
“Accreditation allows our students attending LPOSD charter or high school to receive elective credit towards graduation for their classes with us,” Samuels said. “We also measure progress in skill development from early childhood through adulthood. Our measurement is consistent with nationally recognized music standards.”
The criteria include having a qualified faculty that is sufficient in size to support the educational programs and that the educational programs include a curriculum that can be assessed. It also states that the “faculty members use a variety of instructional strategies that meet the diverse learning needs of the students,” according to ACS WASC’s website.
In the confirmation letter sent by Fred Van Leuven, Ed.D., Executive Director of ACS WASC he stated, “The Commission looks forward to The Music Conservatory of Sandpoint’s anticipated success and continuing improvement in keeping with ACS WASC’s pursuit of excellence in elementary, secondary, and adult education.”
MCS will be hosting an open house from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 27, to show off the expansion of their facility at 110 Main Street and to celebrate the accreditation. The public is encouraged to attend.