Twin Oaks Completes Re-accreditation Process

For a few weeks now, we have been looking forward to sharing some good news with you! Twin Oaks recently completed a year-long re-accreditation process through Christian Schools International (CSI).  Accreditation provides accountability for the work we do to ensure the quality of our program and confirms to parents that their children are receiving an excellent Christian education.

Typically, we submit an annual report that demonstrates how we continue to meet the criteria for CSI accreditation.  However, every five years Twin Oaks Christian School undergoes a more intensive accreditation process that includes a year-long self-study and culminates in a 2 ½ day site visit by an independent team made up of a CSI regional director and other local Christian educators.  

At the end of this past March, this Site Visit Team was on campus in order to make observations and interview key stakeholders including teachers and staff, Board members, parents, students, and church staff.  The purpose of their visit was to establish that Twin Oaks Christian School meets the rigorous criteria for CSI accreditation status and to provide suggestions for ways the school can continue to grow as it lives out its mission.

The entire accreditation process, culminating in the Site Visit at the end of March, was both encouraging and validating.  We have been recommended for re-accreditation, and the Site Team members found much to celebrate about how God is working in and through Twin Oaks Christian School.  Included in their report were several commendations that we would like to share with you.

CSI Commendations for Twin Oaks Christian School:

1. The school’s communication is exceptionally strong, hard-won, and well-maintained between all stakeholders (board members, administration, teachers, students, parents, and more.)
   1. Twin Oaks Christian School has excellent communication between teachers and parents, faculty and staff, and the school to parents.
   2. The school demonstrates intentional communication with all of its stakeholders.
2. The community of Twin Oaks Christian School sacrificially and intentionally demonstrates love, warmth, and proactive care of all stakeholders.
   1. Communication is healthy, consistent, open, and prioritized.
   2. The students at Twin Oaks Christian School feel loved, known, and guided in their faith journey as seen in the school’s Crew Groups that continue from kindergarten until 8th grade.
   3. Twin Oaks Christian School has a great foundation of creating a gospel-centered community for students, teachers, and parents. This was a theme that was expressed throughout all interviews.
3. Twin Oaks Christian School teachers and leaders demonstrate an unwavering commitment and desire to implement a biblical perspective in curriculum while also modeling a life of faith. 
   1. It is evident that the best interest of each individual student is taken into account when planning experiences for classes. 
   2. It is incredibly clear that students are highly engaged in the classrooms. Students speak highly of the care their teachers have for them, creating automatic buy-in for students.
   3. Teachers have their classrooms running smoothly and are strong in academic excellence. Students evidence a solid understanding of material, of social skills, and of a relationship with the Lord.
4. The school board, church, and head of school have created an intentional partnership that benefits all members of Twin Oaks Christian School and seeks the thriving of all students.
   1. It is highly evident that healthy collaboration is a priority in this school and has even become one of the foundational pieces. There is a strong integration between board, faculty, staff, parents, and church, all pulling in the same direction and wanting the same thriving for Twin Oaks Christian School. 
   2. The school board and the head of school have a great working relationship. There is an open line of communication and support for each other in many different ways
5. The head of school is appreciated, respected, valued, and loved. Several stakeholders indicated that God’s Hand is obvious in the school’s leadership and priorities.
6. The Twin Oaks Christian School facility is beautifully maintained, serves the community well, and provides opportunities for growth.
   1. The Twin Oaks Christian School facilities are very well kept and clean. The playground is also developmentally appropriate for all students at the school and is aesthetically pleasing
7. While firmly grounded in tradition and core values, Twin Oaks Christian School continues to strive for excellence and growth in all curricular areas.
   1. Teachers know their material, understand their students, and continually evidence the grace of God in their teaching.
   2. Teachers and staff work together to use data and technology to create an adventurous, hands-on, innovative academic training for students
8. The school has a deep commitment and heart for serving students of all backgrounds and ability levels and seeks to grow the school’s capacity to do so. 

We pray that these commendations are an affirmation for you that your children are receiving an excellent Christian education.  We pray also that we all recognize that God is the bearer of this good fruit.  All of our desires and efforts to be a school of excellence would be misguided and unproductive if not submitted to the Lord in humble recognition that, “. . . neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow” (1 Corinthians 3:7).  May we never forget it.