Less than two weeks after being named a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, Covington Catholic High School received accreditation by AdvancED.
AdvancED is recognized as a global leader in providing continuous improvement and accreditation services to over 32,000 institutions serving 20 million students worldwide. Five experienced educators, including principals and assistant principals from four other Catholic schools in Kentucky, served on the accreditation external review team.
Covington Catholic was previously accredited by the Southern Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, or SACS CASI, which became part of AdvancED in 2006.
The preliminary report shared by the review team at the conclusion of its two-day review included the recommendation to the AdvancED Accreditation Commission that Covington Catholic High School earn the distinction of accreditation by AdvancED.
The team’s review scope included:
• a school Self-Assessment, including survey data from students, parents and staff; student performance data; and other documentation;
• interviews of 67 school stakeholders (school faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, and board members);
• 20 classroom observations;
• discussion and analysis of the review using the AdvancED standards and indicators as the framework;
• a determination of consensus on the report findings.
Strengths cited in the team’s presentation to faculty at the conclusion of the review included:
• Strong evidence of the purpose and direction (mission) manifested in: school culture, student behavior and attitudes; faith-based instruction and services; breadth of community service and extracurricular activities; equitable and challenging academic level options; and many other ways;
• Highly dedicated and committed faculty;
• Blue Ribbon recognition in 2007 and AGAIN in 2016 (citing that “[this is] truly a recognition that distinguishes the school from its peers”);
• Resources and support systems, including the current campus facilities and condition, plus imminent plans for improvement;
• The overall culture, with: a broad sense of ownership; respectful and highly courteous interactions between students and adults; expectations for excellence; a collaborative atmosphere; and commitment to continual growth and improvement.
Rowe
Covington Catholic High School Principal Bob Rowe said about the accreditation review: “We are very pleased and proud to receive this accreditation from AdvancED. We appreciate the rigorous and thorough assessment by the external review team, and will benefit from their findings as we work to leverage our areas of strength and gain continuous improvement in all areas. Thank you to our staff, faculty, students, families, community supporters of Covington Catholic, and Diocese of Covington leadership who have together produced exceptional results in the advancement of our Mission.”
Covington Catholic High School is a 2016 National Blue Ribbon School and college preparatory high school within the Diocese of Covington. It is an all-male school of 597 whose mission is to embrace the Gospel message of Jesus Christ in order to educate students spiritually, academically, physically and socially.
Covington Catholic High School
