Recently, Piedmont Academy hosted a five-member team of peer educators for the purpose of evaluating the school for SAIS/Advanced Education accreditation. SAIS/Advanced Education member schools historically and traditionally promote quality assurance in education. SAIS began its organizational life in 1903 as the "Mid-South Association of Independent Schools," providing training for teachers in private schools and some early public schools in the Southeastern states.
Today, SAIS works to help both established and emerging schools approach various issues with creativity and innovation. Working at the state, regional and national levels, SAIS serves and strengthens member schools through the promotion of the highest quality educational standards and ethical conduct.
The current partnership offers schools a process for achieving SAIS/Advanced Education accreditation Piedmont Academy is a candidate for this accreditation. In today's world of accountability in schooling, accreditation serves as a critical component of a school's demonstrated effectiveness to provide successful schooling for children.
A school that is able to achieve accreditation demonstrates a commitment to a process that requires the school to meet a set of rigorous, research-based standards; to engage in a program of continuous school improvement; and to demonstrate quality assurance to its stakeholders through self-evaluation and peer review. SAIS/Advanced Education accreditation provides schools access to an integrated network of services and technical assistance that supports every school's ability to identify and meet its goals for improving student performance and the teaching and learning process.
A SAIS/Advanced Education accredited school is part of an international network of accredited schools which have demonstrated success in educating children. As such, SAIS/Advanced Education accreditation is recognized throughout the world as a symbol of quality in education for students and teachers.
To earn accreditation, schools must meet quality standards, be evaluated by an outside group of peer professionals, and implement a school plan focused on strategic improvement and student performance. Accreditation is voluntary and must be renewed each year.
During the course of the team's review, SAIS committee members spent two and a half days evaluating the school and meeting with faculty and staff, students, current parents, alumni of the school, board members, and school administrators.
The team visited various classrooms, ate lunch with the students and toured the campus.
Committee members included Catherine Trotter, Assistant Head of School, Brookstone School, Columbus; Jennifer Cain, Technology Director, Thomas Sumter Academy, Rembert, S.C.; Jeff Bell, Academic Dean, St. Andrew's Suwanee, Suwanee, Tenn.; SAIS Committee Chair Carol Rigby, Head of School, Copiah Academy, Gallman, Miss.; and John Kennedy, Headmaster, Lakeview Academy, Gainesville; Georgia Independent School Association President Jeff Jackson, Thomaston; and Emily Goldman, SAIS Coordinator, Alpharetta.
Piedmont Academy is currently "Accredited with Quality" by the Georgia Accrediting Commission.
Established in 1970 as a co-educational, independent, college preparation curriculum, Piedmont Academy is located in Monticello.
The school's website can be viewed by visiting piedmontacademy.com. For campus tours, please contact the school at (706) 468-8818, ext. 19.
