Reviewing and reaffirming our practices through re-accreditation

Every eight years, independent schools in our region have the opportunity to participate in the accreditation process through the NWAIS (Northwest Association of Independent Schools). The last time Overlake participated was in the 2014-15 school year. The cycle was a little longer this time due to the pandemic and our leadership transition. 

“The re-accreditation process takes about three years from start to finish,” explains Karen Zaidberg, Social Studies Department Chair and the NWAIS Self-Study Coordinator.  “For Overlake, it started with introducing the self-study process in August 2023.” 

The self-study process is an internal reflection which involves every employee of the school providing answers and feedback to a series of questions posed by NWAIS. The questions fall into many categories in the school, such as facilities, culture & mission, and school program.  The self-study was delivered to the visiting committee in December. 

“For the past few months, planning and preparation has kicked into higher gear, including wrapping up the self-study report and organizing the logistics for the committee’s visit. Once the committee concludes its visit and issues its report, then the School will respond to the recommendations and address any conditions.  Assuming we are successful, then NWAIS will authorize our reaccreditation by the start of the 2025-26 school year,” says Zaidberg.

This Sunday, the visiting committee will arrive on campus to a reception from school administrators. Then, bright and early Monday morning, their official work on campus begins. “The visiting committee team is comprised of eight school leaders from schools within NWAIS, and they each bring expertise in areas of school life.  The committee is here to learn about Overlake in-person and talk with our community about who we are and what we discovered in our self-study.  Committee members will meet with various members of the community and visit classes to compare and assess the portrait of Overlake that we shared in our self-study with what they see for themselves.”

So how prepared does Zaidberg think we are? “The School took seriously the self-study process, and our community has embraced the chance to critically examine and reflect on who we are and what we do. Our self-study report is balanced and honest, and I feel confident that the visiting committee will be able to reconcile what they read in that document with what is happening on campus. Plus, we are excited for them to come!  I think they will feel welcomed.”