Providence Celebrates Fine Arts Awards Breakfast Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox recently celebrated a Fine Arts Awards Breakfast on Sunday, May 20 for students who participated in its rapidly growing Fine Arts Program this school year. After celebrating Mass and enjoying a delicious breakfast, several students were recognized for outstanding levels of participation in various components of the school s Fine Arts Program. By North Central Association Fr. Richard J. McGrath, O.S.A., President of Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, has announced that the school s North Central Association accreditation has been extended throughout the 1999-2000 school year. The accreditation was renewed by the NCA s Commission on Schools during the Association s recent Annual Meeting in Chicago.
Accreditation is for one year at a time and requires a reapplication each year.
The North Central Association, which was founded in 1895, is the largest of the country s regional accreditation agencies. It is a voluntary organization of over 8,700 schools and 1,000 colleges and universities in 19 states, plus the Department of Defense Dependent Schools throughout the world. Accreditation by the North Central Association ensures that the school is meeting at least the minimal conditions for effectiveness. By setting standards for the basic operations of the school and by requiring continuous school improvement efforts, NCA requires each member to improve student performance and to document that improvement. NCA accreditation helps to build public confidence by providing evidence to the public as well as to other schools and educational institutions that the school is meeting expectations and fulfilling not only local standards but also those more widely accepted throughout the region and the nation.