Accreditation & Affiliations

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Schools in the Archdiocese of Washington receive accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, a division of AdvancED. In addition, they must meet the new National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools.

This dual accreditation approach:

  • Ensures that our schools maintain the same high standards as other schools and have a clear Catholic identity

  • Uses a process of data review and continuous school improvement planning that focuses on student success

  • Includes annual evaluations of each school by the Catholic Schools Office to ensure quality

  • Sends a team of professionals from outside the archdiocese to review the work of the Catholic Schools Office itself

Regional:

  • AdvanceED – Cardinal Hickey Academy has received Accreditation from AdvancED. CHA has met the requirements established by the AdvancED Accreditation Commission and Board of Trustees and is thereby accredited.

  • Archdiocese of Washington Catholic School Academic Standards – We are in complete compliance with the Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools Academic Standards for our entire academic curriculum. These standards reflect the moral and spiritual code of conduct that is rooted in the Gospel values – values that inspire leadership, stimulate creativity, and utilize each child’s individual talents. Please visit their website for more information at: http://www.adw.org/.

  • National Catholic Education Association – located at 1077 30th Street, NW, Suite 100, Washington, D.C. 20007. This association “provides leadership, direction, and service to fulfill the evangelizing catechizing and teaching mission of the church”. Please visit their website for more information at: http://www.ncea.org.

State/National:

  • National Blue Ribbon School – The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States government program created in 1982 to honor schools that have achieved high levels of performance. “Exemplary High Performing” schools have their state’s highest high school graduation rates and the highest achieving students (the top 15%) in English and mathematics, measured by state assessments. Only about 8% of schools earn this prestigious award.  CHA earned the award in 2015.

  • Maryland Department of Education –CHA is fully approved by the Maryland State Department of Education. This approval is based on the inspection of our facilities, the quality of our program, and the certification of our teachers.

  • The National Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – As a member of this association we stand together “To assist the involvement of children and adults in a common religious experience in which the religious values of childhood, primarily those values of contemplation and enjoyment of God, are predominant.” For more information about Catholic Montessori Atriums, visit: http://www.cgsusa.org/about/default.aspx