In April, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) sent a visiting committee to Kent to evaluate the school as the final step of the accreditation process, which happens once every 10 years.

The accreditation process, headed by Mr. Saxton, starts two years before the visiting committee is due. The faculty begins a self-study, carefully documenting the process, reflecting upon how they might improve the school.

After this self-study, the school writes up a report and turns it in to the NEASC. The NEASC then sends a visiting committee to verify the contents in the report and also give their own opinions and comments. The visiting committee carefully documents everything they experience at the school. They sat in on classes, inspected school facilities, met with the faculty, and used the results of their interviews and time on campus to create a report that offers the school a roadmap for future success.

Ultimately, the NEASC accreditation process allows the school to improve itself. Mr. Saxton said that the process was long but enjoyable, and noted that he was “impressed by the motivation behind the self-study” from the faculty during the two-year self-study period, and was very pleased with what the visiting committee had to say—“the faculty are engaged and enthusiastic about their work, and the students love to be here.”