St. Bernard Elementary School receives continued accreditation

St. Bernard Elementary School in Fitchburg was granted continued accreditation until 2033, by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges after an extensive review process, according to a press release sent by the school.

NEASC’s Commission on Independent Schools made the decision following a review of a self-study report prepared by St. Bernard’s staff, on-site visits and the visiting team report. 

The school’s work toward decennial accreditation began with a 16-month self-study that reviewed and documented the school’s operations as well as addressed educational standards, student instruction, teacher qualifications, strategic planning and long-term organizational viability.

According to the release, during two on-site visits in April and October 2023 a team of peer educators appointed by the Commission on Independent Schools, validated the self-study report by observing classroom instruction and interviewing school leadership, including Father Joseph Dolan, pastor of St. Bernard Parish, Fitchburg and school administration, faculty, staff, and advisory board members, as well as parents and students enrolled at the school.
 
Timothy J. Fluharty, chairman of St. Bernard Elementary School advisory board stated in the release, “While there were several commendations noted we are perhaps most proud of the visiting team’s recognition of the school’s ability to create a community where all members feel safe and welcome. That’s a tribute to our dedicated principal [Deborah W. Wright], her outstanding staff of educators and support team members, and our school volunteers.”
 
As a part of the accreditation process recommendations were made by the visiting team that included the establishment of a formal mentorship program for new teachers, options to improve the infrastructure of the school by replacing the building heating system along with the addition of solar energy, adding staff for counseling and creating a development office.
The release said that work on implementing the recommendations is under way and the school’s progress in meeting those recommendations will be included in its annual reports to NEASC. 

– St. Bernard Elementary serves children in pre-K through grade 8 and is the second oldest continuously operating Catholic school in Worcester County.