STA Extends “Accredited” Status to More Than 100 Consecutive Years

“Cognia Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school and its community on the primary goal of ensuring all students can flourish in engaging and equitable learning environments. We commend St. Teresa’s Academy for meeting high standards and making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.”

– Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia

August 9, 2024

Over the summer, St. Teresa’s Academy received word from Cognia, a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, that STA’s institutional accreditation was once again renewed.  The Academy first earned this accolade in 1923, making this the school’s 101st consecutive year of being accredited. In addition, the school earned STEM certification for its outstanding work in STEM-related programming.

Institutional Accreditation Results

Cognia recognizes schools that meet rigorous standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation, and effective leadership. To earn Cognia accreditation, a school must submit to internal and external review. Earning accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission means that the school meets Cognia Performance Standards and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement. Schools in good standing can maintain their accreditation for a six-year term.

The Cognia team praised STA for numerous, noteworthy accomplishments, “Through a multifaceted approach encompassing developmental, physical, emotional, and intellectual domains, the institution ensures that each student is empowered to thrive academically and personally.”

The Academy’s “Institution Index of Education Quality” (IEQ), a measure of overall performance, was 366 vs. the Cognia network average of 253. Scores above 300 indicate the institution meets Cognia’s highest standards for accreditation.

STA IEQ: 366 vs. Network Average: 253

“Accreditation as conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission provides STA a nationally recognized mark of quality for our school,” said Siabhan May-Washington, Ed.D., president of STA,  “It demonstrates our commitment to excellence, our willingness to enact meaningful change based on evaluation and feedback, and our desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we serve.” She continued, “This is in large part due to the STA Board of Directors and our team of talented and dedicated faculty and staff, who believe in our strategic plan and keep our mission of educating and empowering our young women at the forefront.”

STA exceeded network averages on all seven high-level performance criteria:

  • Stakeholder Feedback Analysis – STA score of 4.0 vs. network average of 3.1
  • Student Performance Analysis – 4.0 vs. 3.1 average
  • Learning Environments Analysis – 4.0 vs. 3.1 average
  • Culture of Learning – 3.5 vs. 3.1 average
  • Leadership for Learning – 3.5 vs. 3.1 average
  • Engagement of Learning – 4.0 vs. 3.0 average
  • Growth in Learning – 3.8 vs. 3.0 average

STEM Certification Results

This is the second consecutive STEM certification since the school’s STEM/STEAM program rolled out in 2016. STA scored 3.4 (vs. a requirement of 2.7). STA was the second all-girls’ high school in the U.S. and second school in the bi-state areas to earn STEM Certification for excellence in STEM education.

“At STA, the commitment to fostering excellence in STEAM education is reflected in every facet of the curriculum,” the report reads. In addition, it cites the Academy’s innovative STEM Certificate program, its vibrant culture of learning, a solid commitment to fostering a dynamic and enriching STEAM learning environment.

“I’m very proud of these results,” said Mandi Sonnenberg, Ed.D., STA’s Director of STEAM Projects and Education. “They demonstrate not just a program-level commitment to educating our students to succeed in a competitive environment, but the Academy’s pursuit as a whole to develop young women to thrive in historically male-dominated fields. We will continue to build on the momentum of this program and create innovative and unique opportunities around real-world, interdisciplinary, problem- and project-based units of study.”

Cognia is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Parents and interested community members can learn more about Cognia Accreditation at cognia.org