April WASC Visit

wasc-logoOn April 22-24, 2018, a Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Visiting Committee will be meeting at Christbridge Academy as a part of their review of our Mid-Cycle Progress Report. This visit is designed for them to review our progress on our six-year action plan which we began after their last accreditation visit in 2015.

They will be interacting with students, parents, teachers, administrators, and supporters from the community. As a part of the “Focus on Learning” self-study we conducted six years ago, we developed a four-point action plan to aid in assisting students in learning. This visit is designed to see first-hand how well students are learning, what specific actions have taken place during the past three years, and to assess how well we are reaching our targeted goals.

These are our current four action plans and a summary of what has been accomplished:

Growth Area Action Plan #1: English Language Arts (ELA) Program

Our goal in this area was to strengthen the 9th-12th English Language Arts Program in order to help English Learner (EL) students read and write at or above the national and California averages according to ITBS and PSAT standards.

Accomplishments in this area:

  • Addressed the immediate needs of our incoming English Language Development (ELD) group
  • Maintained the current ELA curricula for domestic/mainstreamed students
  • Appointed an ELD Program Coordinator
  • Implemented additional SRI testing
  • Made curriculum adjustments
  • Integrated students
  • Conducted teacher training and preparation
  • Created benchmarks for all ELD classes
  • Conducted research into new ELA curricula and tutoring materials and programs
  • Researched apps for Samsung Galaxy tablets for ELA classes

Growth Area Action Plan #2: Professional Development

Our goal here was to advance our professional development with a focus on modern living and learning skills and with an additional focus on ELD teaching strategies. Professional development opportunities increase teacher knowledge in the different areas of technology, math, English, reading, science, social studies, and AP classes.

Accomplishments in this area:

  • Clarified needs
  • Implemented “Teacher Training Week”
  • Focused spiritual advance week
  • Conducted staff meetings
  • Conducted prayer meetings
  • Implemented technology professional training
  • Conducted ELD professional development training
  • Augmented planning

Growth Area Action Plan #3: Facility Expansion and Technology

CBA will construct a facility consisting of additional classrooms, a science lab, a library, and a multipurpose room. Classrooms will be used for high school and middle school and will integrate computer and educational technology to further student learning.

Accomplishments in this area:

  • Implemented usage of Samsung Galaxy tablets and apps
  • Enhanced computer lab for learning
  • Pursuing funding for the facility expansion

Growth Area Action Plan #4: International Admissions, Homestay Development, and ELD Student Integration

Our goal in this category was to modify critical aspects of the international/ELD program, specifically: ongoing development of the school’s admissions process, especially for ELD students; ongoing development of the school’s homestay family inclusion/orientation to the CBA culture; and, increased integration, inclusion, and support of ELD students into the school.

Accomplishments in this area:

  • Selected marketing consultant and web designer
  • Implemented technological innovations
  • Made social media and technology enhancements
  • Started monthly newsletter with Mail Chimp marketing distribution
  • Selected international student representative
  • Developing our international admissions and culture
  • Started Aimanyi international student group
  • Working with Asians in America homestay organization
  • Mainstreaming more classes sooner