CAAPS School Accreditation Handbook

2300-2850 Shaughnessy St,
Port Coquitlam,
B.C, V3C 6K5, Canada
www.caapseducation.com
info@caapseducation.com
+1 604.475.0911
604.552.7709
February 2015
CAAPS School
Accreditation Handbook
Background
The Canadian Association of Accredited Private Schools (CAAPS) is a subsidiary company of
Vancouver Offshore Schools Group Ltd (VOSG), a Canadian education company registered in
Vancouver, British Columbia. CAAPS is managed by a group of Canadian education consultants
who enjoy over 100 years of combined educational leadership and business experiences.
CAAPS collaborates with the Canadian ministries of education and the post-secondary
institutions to provide comprehensive and specialized professional services for international
private schools that lead to accreditation, therefore, ensuring effective delivery of curriculum
and sustainable growth of students and staff. CAAPS helps its schools members to pursue
non-traditional educational leadership, research-based professional training that suit their
specific needs leading to high standards of academic excellence.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Background ......................................................................................................................2
Vision..................................................................................................................................2
Mission ...............................................................................................................................2
Services .............................................................................................................................3
Members Ongoing Consultancy Services...................................................................4
Pre-Accreditation Services............................................................................................5
Why Accreditation of Private Schools Matters?...........................................................7
Vision
Ensuring effective
delivery of educational
services in every
member International
School.
Mission
Our purpose is to create
exceptional values for our
K-12 International School
members and their
stakeholders by ensuring
effective delivery of
services enabling them to
achieve sustainable
growth.
Slogan
Global Reach
Enhancing
Children's
Education
Benefits of Accreditation ..............................................................................................8
Private School Accreditation Process .........................................................................9
Application Process .......................................................................................................9
Financial Obligations .....................................................................................................10
Accreditation Cycle ......................................................................................................11
Candidacy Cycle-Year 1 ..............................................................................................11
Accreditation Cycle-Year 2..........................................................................................11
Maintaining Accreditation Status ................................................................................12
Accreditation Process Chart ........................................................................................13
Minimum Accreditation Requirements .......................................................................14
Appendix A: Organizational Chart ................................................................................14
Appendix B: Application for Accreditation .................................................................15
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MEMBERS ONGOING
CONSULTANCY SERVICES
To ensure maintenance of the
accreditation conditions, our school
members enjoy the following continuous
evaluation consultancy services as part of
our annual accreditation fees:
Assessment and Learning
Human resources including
recruitment and professional
development
Public relations issues
Resource acquisition
Educational technology
SERVICES
CAAPS’ services are not limited to schools that offer Canadian education
programs. In addition to the ongoing consultancy services provided to our
school members, CAAPS offers professional pre-accreditation and
post-accreditation services to private schools that provide any education
programs to children from Pre-kg to Grade 12, including bilingual and
international schools that offer Canadian, American, and British curriculum.
To provide our services, CAAPS draws upon a vast pool of experienced
consultants who enjoy a successful track record of providing outstanding
educational leadership solutions to schools across the globe.
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For schools that seek accreditation, the process begins with
our comprehensive school system evaluation that includes the
following:
Regulatory requirements
Evaluation of curriculum and teaching
Evaluation of human resources system and board of governance
Evaluation of policies and procedures
Evaluation of school climate and faculty culture
Evaluation of faculty recruitment
Evaluation of marketing and communication strategies
Evaluation of financial planning and resource management
Evaluation of resources
Evaluation of school premises
Following the issuance of our pre-accreditation comprehensive evaluation report, depending on the outcomes of the
evaluation, together with our subsidiary company, VOSG,
http://www.vosgedu.com, we offer the following services that
lead to final school accreditation:
PRE-ACCREDITATION
SERVICES
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Comprehensive school system optimization
Developing school master strategic plan
Developing school operation plan including
financial scenarios
Developing human resources system including staff
handbook, job responsibilities, employment
contract, and staff recruitment and retention plans
Developing school marketing and communication
plans
Aligning marketing plan with the school vision to
ensure congruency
Developing academic and administrative policies
Developing students data management system
Rebuilding school educational program and
curriculum
Providing professional development and coaching
for senior staff and board of governance
Developing transition plans
Establishing international affiliation partnerships
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Benefits of Accreditation
Why Accreditation of
Private Schools Matters?
Private schools accreditation provides assurance that ensures high
standards are met. Accreditation is proof that a member private school has
met specific standards necessary to deliver outstanding educational
services to its students, therefore, producing global graduates ready to
pursue university and career education competitively. CAAPS, sets high
standards that standardize the operation of private schools to ensure
sustainable growth of students and staff.
CAAPS promotes professional and ethical practices that lead to educational excellence.
Member schools adhere to sustainable growth of students and staff through ongoing
improvement plans. CAAPS accreditation serves multiple purposes that impact the
operation of Member schools such as:
Quality of
Teaching
and Learning
The school adheres to high standards and
code of ethics that impact the quality of
teaching and learning
Credibility
Accreditation enhances school credibility in its
stakeholders’ minds
Sustainability
Ongoing program/outcome evaluations providing
information on effectiveness, efficiency, and
stakeholders satisfaction
Assurance
Accreditation provides assurance for investors
that the school is well operated therefore
securing their investment
Consultancy
Services
Members enjoy annually 24 hour accessibility to consultants:
Superintendent of Schools, Director of Assessment and Learning,
Director of Educational Technology, Director of Strategic
Planning, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Director of
Human Resources, and Director of Projects Development
Networking
Research
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The School benefits from networking for ideas and
professional development opportunities
Member schools participate in Action Research
projects organized by CAAPS and its affiliates
Canadian universities
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PRIVATE SCHOOL
ACCREDITATION PROCESS
CAAPS accreditation is a three-phase process:
Application Phase
Candidacy Phase
Accreditation Phase
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply for accreditation, a school is
required to complete the online
Accreditation Application Form ,
found at caapseducation.com, and
pay a non-refundable application fee.
The following are minimum
requirements for private schools
pursuing CAAPS membership:
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The school must be licensed by
the local authority
The school must have adequate
and appropriate facilities
The school must have a duly
constituted board of trustees who
are independently responsible for
the policies and financial integrity
of the school
FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
Applicant Schools
Member Schools
An applicant school must
submit an Application Fee of
US $3000 along with the
Application for Membership
and must submit an
Evaluation Fee of US $25,000 if
the Evaluation Committee
authorizes the school to
proceed with the Candidacy
Phase. The applicant school is
responsible for travel airfare,
accommodation and meals
expenses of CAAPS Evaluation
Committee Directors.
An annual association fee of US
$25,000 for accredited schools
is payable on June 1. A
Member school will enjoy 24
hours of accessibility to our
team of professional
consultants for consultancy
purposes related to school
operating and accreditation
topics. A Member school is
responsible for all expenses of
evaluations and visits involved
in its accreditation process.
Fees for educational and
professional development
services such as workshops for
school staff will be determined
by CAAPS staff.
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ACCREDITATION CYCLE
MAINTAINING ACCREDITATION STATUS
CAAPS accreditation is a two-cycle process;
however, maintaining accreditation status is an
ongoing process. First, an interested school must be
accepted as a Member. After becoming a CAAPS
Member, Member schools proceed through a
two-year Evaluation Cycles, as follows:
To maintain accreditation, Members schools must adhere to CAAPS standards, and requirements as stipulated in its Accreditation Agreement,
and file Accreditation Adherence Report, annually, to demonstrate the
school’s compliance with CAAPS Standards and submit a three-year Strategic Improvement Plan. Should the school Adherence to Accreditation
Report prove compliance, the Evaluation Committee, chaired by the
Superintendent of the Schools, will issue Accreditation Certificate and sign
Accreditation Agreement with the school by the end of the second year.
Candidacy Cycle-Year 1
If a school Application is accepted, members of
CAAPS Evaluation Committee composed of
three Directors: Director of Assessment and
Learning, Director of Strategic Planning, and
Director of Human Resources, visits the school
to assess its readiness for accreditation based
on CAAPS Accreditation Criteria.
This site evaluation covers:
The effectiveness of the school’s
programs
Measures the congruency of the
school’s operation and education
plans with its stated vision and mission
Legal status of the school in the
country it operates
HR plans, school policies and
procedures
The available educational resources
Upon completion, the Evaluation
Committee issues a Site Evaluation Report
that comprises recommendations to assist
the school in improving its operation and
meets the Accreditation Criteria in the
second year. During the first school year,
school administration is required to issue
two written Progress Reports that will be
reviewed with CAAPS Evaluation Committee
via online conference meetings.
In the event that a school did not meet CAAPS Accreditation Criteria in
the second year, the school will be offered an extension for a third year to
fulfil the requirements based on clear milestones. During the third year, the
school will be required to issue two Progress Reports that will be discussed
online with CAAPS Evaluation Committee. If the school still does not meet
CAAPS requirements during the third year, the Candidacy agreement will
be discontinued.
The two Progress Reports comprises
information related to:
School Operation Budget
Organizational Structure
Employment Contracts and Policies
Student Enrolment Plan and its
Governing Policies
Students Evaluation Policies
School facilities
Safety policies and procedures
Accreditation Cycle-Year 2
Provided that the school has made steady progress in meeting CAAPS accreditation criteria as
reflected in the second Progress Report’s results, CAAPS Evaluation Committee will visit the school
beginning of the second school year to conduct a final Site Evaluation. Following the site visit, the
Site Evaluation Committee will issue a recommendation letter to the Superintendent of the
Schools to issue Candidate Accreditation Certificate and consider the school for final accreditation
by the end of the second school year.
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MINIMUM
ACCREDITATION
REQUIREMENTS
Denied - Feedback
Provided
Step : 1
Application Accepted
Application Received
and Fee Paid
The following are minimum
requirements for private
schools pursuing CAAPS
school accreditation:
Site Evaluation Cost Paid
The school must be licensed by the
local authority
The school employs certified
educators
The school must have adequate
and appropriate facilities
The school must have a duly
constituted board of trustees who
are independently responsible for
the policies and financial integrity
of the school
Site Evaluation Scheduled
APPENDIX A: ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
Step : 2
Candidacy Phase
Launched
Evaluation Unsuccessful
Feedback
Evaluation
Partially Successful
Canadian Association of Accredited Private Schools
Organization and Structure
One Year Candidacy
Agreement Signed
Evaluation
Successful
Board
Members
2nd Evaluation End of
Candidacy Unsuccessful
Chairman
& CEO
Assistant
CEO
2nd Evaluation
End of Candidacy
Director
of Projects
Development
Director
of HR
Step : 3
Accreditation Phase
Candidacy Agreement
May be Extended
Evaluation
Unsuccessful
Adherence
Agreement Signed
Step : 4
Executive
Office
Secretary
End of Candidacy
Evaluation Successful
Director of
Educational
Technology
Director of
Strategic
Planning
Maintaining Accreditation Terms
School continually maintains adherence agreement terms
Annual onsite evaluation
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Director of
Marketing &
Public
Relations
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Appendix B: Application for Accreditation
School Facilities
Number of Buildings:
Date: ..................................................................
Address: .............................................................
School Name: ...................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
............................................................................
Telephone Number:...........................................
Fax Number: .......................................................
Website:...............................................................
Email Address: ....................................................
Principal’s Name: ...............................................
Land size:
m2
Owned
Building 3
Library room size:
m2
Number of science Labs:
Not applicable:
Room size:
m2
Not applicable:
Room size:
m2
Not applicable:
.............................................................................
Education Kitchen
Room size:
m2
Not applicable:
Background
Sport Facilities
The school has been in existence and in continuous operation since (month/year):..............................
The school has a local license to operate.
Individual
Leased
Building 2
.............................................................................
Ownership:
Owned
Building 1
Number of classrooms in each building:
Number of ICT Labs:
Principal’s Email Address: ..................................
Leased
YES
NO
Corporation
External Courtyards: __________Size: _____________m2
Not applicable:
Swimming pool: ______________size: _____________m2
Not applicable:
Gym: _______________________ Size: _____________m2
Not applicable:
Authority's Name:........................................... Tel#: .................................... Email: .......................................
Percentage of all students who are: ................................ National..............% International ...............%
Total student enrolment in the school by grade:
Nursery
G1
G7
G2
G8
Pre-kg
G3
G9
G4
G10
kg
G5
G11
What curriculum are you currently offering? (Local, British, American, Canadian, etc.):
G6
G12
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G2
G8
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
What subjects are taught in English? __________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Students per class
Nursery
G1
G7
Curriculum
Pre-kg
G3
G9
G4
G10
kg
G5
G11
G6
G12
Mailing Address: 2300-2850 Shaughnessy St, Port Coquitlam, B.C, V3C 6K5, Canada
Phone +1- 604 475.0911 |
Fax 604 552.7709 | Email: info@caapseducation.com
Number of instructional days annually: ________ Number of instructional hours/daily _________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Mailing Address: 2300-2850 Shaughnessy St, Port Coquitlam, B.C, V3C 6K5, Canada
Phone +1- 604 475.0911 |
Fax 604 552.7709 | Email: info@caapseducation.com
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School Staff
Reasons for Seeking Accreditation
Are you seeking accreditation for your students to earn Canadian High School Diploma?
YES
NO
Job Title
Number of Employees
Notes
Please rate the reasons that meet your goals from accreditation.
1 = least likely
2 = likely 3 = most likely
Level of assurance that service quality meets or exceeds international standards
Ongoing program/outcome evaluations providing information on effectiveness, efficiency,
and client satisfaction
Providing assurance for investors that the school is well operated securing their investment
Enrollment & Fees
Tuition Fees per grade (please identify currency)
Nursery
G1
G7
G2
G8
Pre-kg
G3
G9
G4
G10
kg
G5
G11
G6
G12
Other fees, please specify below:
Application check list
Please make sure the following requirements are attached to your application:
Finance
Tuition Fees per grade (please identify currency)
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According to your audited accounts, what is the capital investment of the project?
US$
What is the total operation budget for current school year?
US$
What is the deficits, if any, in current school operation budget
US$
Mailing Address: 2300-2850 Shaughnessy St, Port Coquitlam, B.C, V3C 6K5, Canada
Phone +1- 604 475.0911 |
Fax 604 552.7709 | Email: info@caapseducation.com
A non-refundable application fee of US $ 3000 (shall be paid
online or by bank draft to be mailed to:
Canadian Association of Accredited Private Schools Ltd
2300-2850 Shaughnessy St. Port Coquitlam, BC, V3C 6K5, Canada
Copy of local ministry's school license (English version)
If applicable, company's registration certificate (English version)
School calendar (English version)
School timetable (English version)
Mailing Address: 2300-2850 Shaughnessy St, Port Coquitlam, B.C, V3C 6K5, Canada
Phone +1- 604 475.0911 |
Fax 604 552.7709 | Email: info@caapseducation.com
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