The GIMS Journey Through MSA Accreditation: A Story of Growth, Determination, and Achievement
As you already know, Granada International Montessori School achieved a milestone a few years ago that reflects the effort of our entire educational community: accreditation by the Middle States Association (MSA). We celebrated this accomplishment with all of you in 2021 (it was the news that brightened the Pandemic era), and today, we take a moment to look back on it. This achievement, which is more than just a recognition, confirms the mission that drives us: to provide an exceptional quality education. Today, we’d like to share with you how this journey began, the steps we’ve taken, and the exciting road ahead as we prepare for MSA’s midterm review.
The First Steps: Aiming for Excellence
Back in 2019, we began planning for the MSA accreditation process. This was a natural step for GIMS as we continued to grow and as more families from diverse backgrounds joined our community. But what does MSA accreditation really mean? Essentially, it’s a rigorous evaluation by an external team, assessing the school against the highest standards in areas like student performance, educational programming, faculty development, and school operations. Achieving MSA accreditation shows that we not only meet these standards but are also committed to continuous growth and improvement.
Preparing for the Team Visit: Self-Study and Reflection
By early 2021, we started our self-study, an in-depth review of every aspect of our school. We collaborated as a community, gathering feedback from teachers, administrators, parents, and even students. Every element of our mission, vision, and core values was examined to see how well we were fulfilling our goals.
This self-reflective phase helped us see what we were already doing well and highlighted areas where we could grow. For instance, we took steps to clarify our bilingual curriculum and strengthened our support systems for students with diverse needs. From fine-tuning our financial planning to ensuring each classroom provided a nurturing environment, we made every effort to showcase GIMS as the thriving educational community we envisioned.
The Visit: An In-Depth Evaluation
Then, in March 2021, the MSA team arrived for a three-day visit. They observed classes, met with faculty, and evaluated all facets of the school. Our leadership team, including Head of School Ms. McKinnon, worked tirelessly alongside co-founder Olga Hernando and other team members to ensure everything was in place.
At the end of their visit, the team provided a detailed report. They praised our dedication to holistic education, our passionate faculty, and our commitment to bilingual learning. There were a few recommendations, such as simplifying parts of the curriculum to avoid overwhelming students and teachers. We took this feedback to heart, knowing that every suggestion was an opportunity to strengthen GIMS further.
Official Accreditation—With No Stipulations!
In October 2021, we received the official notification: GIMS was awarded full accreditation for seven years—without any stipulations. This was a moment of immense pride! Achieving this accreditation without conditions underscored the hard work, expertise, and passion our entire team had poured into the process. It meant that we were meeting every MSA standard for excellence in education and that we had built a strong foundation for the future.
Moving Forward: Continuous Improvement and the Mid-Term Review
Now, as we approach the mid-term review, our focus shifts to sustaining and building upon the growth we’ve achieved. The MSA mid-term review will help us assess our progress in meeting the improvement objectives we set during our initial accreditation. Over the last few years, we’ve implemented strategies to enhance student assessment, professional growth for faculty, and bilingual learning. As part of this process, we’ll be submitting data, updates, and new evidence of our ongoing development.
This review is not just a formality; it’s a chance to reaffirm our commitment to improvement and innovation. We’re proud of our achievements so far, but there’s always room to grow. We’re dedicated to meeting each objective we’ve set, from enhancing our curriculum to fostering a school environment that supports each student’s unique needs and talents.
Thank You to Our GIMS Community!
The journey to MSA accreditation has been an incredible experience—one that would not have been possible without the support of our GIMS community. To our students, families, teachers, and staff, thank you for your trust, commitment, and enthusiasm.
As we look forward to the next phase of our accreditation journey, we’re excited to continue growing together, always striving to make GIMS a place where every child can thrive, learn, and become a compassionate, engaged global citizen.
Stay tuned for updates on our mid-term review and what the future holds for GIMS! Together, we are building something truly special.
