Accreditation

Accreditation is an important quality assurance process in which a school voluntarily seeks an external body to help it measure its effectiveness in fulfilling its mission and setting a course for continuous improvement. In this process, an accrediting body and a school mutually agree on a framework and standards of excellence and work together to support the school community in its striving for greater attainment of those standards.

Saint Joseph Catholic School is accredited by the Minnesota Non-Public School Accrediting Association (MNSAA). We completed our first accreditation process in 1990 and have enjoyed full accredited status since that time. We submit reports annually to the MNSAA board in order to meet Association standards. Our strategic plan is updated with our accomplishments and, when applicable, new strategies and action steps are added. An intensive self-study and validation is required every seven years to maintain accreditation status.

To ensure that students faithfully receive high-quality Catholic education, Saint Joseph Catholic School is also accredited by Lumen Accreditation. National and state organizations, such as the National Council for Private School Accreditation, recognize Lumen Accreditation as a qualified and credible accrediting association. We benefit from this accreditation that promotes best practices in all areas: academic excellence, character development, spiritual growth, governance and financial sustainability. Lumen Accreditation integrates foundational Church teachings on Catholic education and evaluates every aspect of a school in light of its Catholic mission, ensuring we have an all-around excellent Catholic school.

Saint Joseph Catholic School chooses to seek accreditation because it:

  • Ensures the best possible educational program for our students.

  • Provides recognized credibility.

  • Provides outside validation.

  • Assures our stakeholders that we periodically go through an intensive self-evaluation.

  • Provides a framework for long-range strategic planning.

  • Makes a public statement that we are committed to quality education and ongoing improvement.

  • Provides a network of educational relationships.

  • Provides us with an objective outside viewpoint.

  • Promotes improvement in staff communication and cohesiveness.

  • Provides an opportunity for us to highlight our many accomplishments.