ASV is proud to share that the school has been selected as the first Middle States Association (MSA) accredited school in the world to pilot a new accreditation protocol called a Program of Distinction in Athletics. This new Program of Distinction was created by MSA to recognize “schools for their commitment to facilitating students’ well-being by either participation in athletics programs or supporting the program as spectators and school esprit des corps.”
ASV Director, Mr. Michael L. Smith states that, “Once again, the ASV community can be proud that our school is continuing with its pioneering approach to school improvement by being selected to be the first school to pilot this new and exciting MSA protocol.” The Athletic Department, ASV+ Program and the Leadership Team have been diligently preparing a comprehensive and evidence-based Self-Study that supports ASV’s candidature as a school that supports and promotes athletics as a curricular program and co-curricular activity to support a holistic student experience.
An MSA Visiting Team is scheduled to visit ASV on February 15-17, 2022; although, the team visit may be subject to change based on the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. The MSA Visiting Team will review the Self-Study, the supporting documentation, tour the school’s facilities, speak with a number of school stakeholders, and prepare a Visiting Team Report that will be submitted to MSA. The report will then pass through a multi-tiered accreditation review process, and the MSA-CESS Commissioners are likely to vote on the Program of Distinction accreditation in mid-2022.
Mr. Smith would especially like to thank Mr. Andy Ojelade, ASV’s Athletic Director; Ms. Escarlata Casas, the ASV+ Coordinator; the Athletic Department and ASV+ staff; and the Leadership Team for their commitment to completing an exhaustive Self-Study and for supporting student-athletes and the school’s athletic programs. Teamwork makes the dreamwork!
ASV has been accredited by the Middle States Association (MSA) since its establishment in 1980. In November 2019, ASV hosted an MSA Visiting Team and in May 2020, ASV earned its MSA re-accreditation for another seven years until May 2027.
ASV is also in the initial phases of evaluating another Program of Distinction in World Languages for the 2022-2023 Academic Year. The work of maintaining our MSA accreditation is an ongoing process of growth and development and serves as a hallmark of the school, staff and board’s commitment to excellence. Please stay tuned for future updates and as always, thank you for your continued support.
MSA Athletics Program of Distinction Team
