Dear Community,
One of the most powerful expressions within our learning community is the shared trust and expectation we have for quality teaching and learning.
For our Dalian campus community of parents to know and understand the value of this shared trust, we commit to have an independent evaluation of our school's vision and mission, and how that is represented in our resources, organization, policies, procedures, practices, and actions to support assured outcomes for relevant high quality and high impact student learning opportunities and experiences.
During the past 2 years, many of you have supported the school and participated in the process for our independent study and the recent visit by the Accrediting Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
We want to thank each of you on behalf of Nord Anglia Education, the Board, Administration and staff of the DAIS/DHS school community, for your constant support and commitment to our school, and for the ongoing trust you place in us in the education we provide for your children.
I am pleased to share with all of you the great news regarding the outcome of the recent WASC Accreditation process.
We have received from the Chairperson Dr. R. David Gaudi Jr., the following official announcement of Full Accreditation:
"The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) announces the action taken at the Summer 2022 Commission Meeting. The ACS WASC Commissioners have determined Dalian American International School (K-12) meets the ACS WASC criteria for accreditation. This accreditation status is based on all of the information provided by the school, including the school's report, and the satisfactory completion of the accreditation visit.
It is the decision of the Commission to grant six-year accreditation status through June 30, 2028 with a mid-cycle visit during the 2024-2025 school year.
Accreditation status is conditioned upon Dalian American International School's continued adherence with the ACS WASC policies, procedures, and criteria for accreditation. This includes a requirement that an accredited school annually contribute members to participate on visiting committees."
On behalf of the Steering Committee led by Ms. Beth Rohrbeck and Mr. Scott Pare, I convey our deep appreciation to every member of our teaching and learning team, the school administration staff and to the parent community. Your engagement and support of the process, and involvement in seeking ongoing school improvement and planning, will enable us to work together to build confidence for the outcomes of our aspirations for DAIS.
I also want to thank Dr. Blair Lee as the Head of School throughout the process and especially for his support and transparent leadership in sharing with me, as he guided the Steering Committee in their commitment and dedication to the task in building a continuously stronger school for our students in their learning pathways. It was a privilege to be directly involved in the process over the past year and to join with Dr. Lee in ensuring a smooth transition in the administration and school leadership team.
I am eager to share with you our forward journey as we commit to the next phase in the research, design, and provision of exciting education opportunities for our DAIS learning community.
With best wishes,
Dr. Richard Swann
Head of School and Regional Education Advisor
