Accreditation for Growth or "AFG" is a unique accreditation process that helps direct the district through a comprehensive self-assessment of all its programs and procedures. NBC will implement a variety of strategic planning elements as a vehicle for growing in student performance and the institution's capacity to affect that growth.


What is Strategic Planning?


Strategic planning is the means by which an organization continually recreates itself for extraordinary purposes. Implicit in this definition is the concentration of all efforts, resources, activities, and energies toward defined goals. Planning is based on the organization's vision of a preferred future.


What steps have we taken?


NBC began the self-assessment process two years ago. In the first year, a strategic planning committee was formed. It was comprised of school board members, administrators, teachers, parents, and students. This committee helped develop a vision statement, belief statements, and the profile of a Northern graduate and these documents can be viewed if one clicks on the tabs to the right. AFG Objectives for Academics, Cultural, and Multiple and Divers Paths to Graduation were established and planning committees were identified in both the Middle School and the High School. The task of these committees is to establish strategies to accomplish specific objectives for each goal. In addition, focus on "Essential Skills" was established and a committee formed to address this very important component.

The Steering Committee (members include the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, building principals and the internal coordinators) continues to facilitate the strategic planning process. During the 2007 - 2008 school year, Internal Coordinators Ms. Zaic and Ms. Stella established fifteen committees in the middle school and high school to meet the district's objectives. Faculty and administrator committee members collaborated on developing action plans to meet the district's objectives. The Steering Committee received updates on the committees' progress. Opportunities for horizontal articulation (collaboration among committees recommending similar changes) and vertical articulation (collaboration among middle school and high school committees of a similar nature) have brought clarity and cohesiveness to the district in this comprehensive planning initiative. The Steering Committee will continue monitor the process of the committees in preparation of the Spring 2009 visit.

 

During the 2008-2009 school year, the Academic, Culture, Multiple and Diverse Paths to Graduation, and Essential Skills Committees in both buildings (15 in each building) were condensed into eight committees (4 per building). Staff members who elected to continue in the planning process  developed the action plans to accomplish the district's strategic planning objectives. These work sessions transpired during scheduled meeting time (faculty/department/team/professional development).

In the Spring of 2009, the Visitation Team arrived and completed the review process.   I am pleased to report that both the Middle School and the High School has received accreditation.  The final report follows: