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Congratulations to Yosemite High School for earning accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges! Keep up the great work!

Yosemite High School Earns WASC Accreditation

OAKHURSTYosemite High School has earned accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) through June 2025. The school was notified of its renewed status after a recent mid-cycle visit.

Image of the Yosemite High School logo.The accreditation process includes an evaluation by members of a committee to examine the school’s purpose, program, and operations, based on WASC criteria.

An essential aspect of this criteria is a school’s commitment to a continuous cycle of improvement, with all stakeholder groups participating in the process.

Image of Dr. Stephanie Osowski.

Dr. Stephanie Osowski.

“We are proud to maintain our WASC accreditation, as it reflects the outstanding things that are happening in our building and classrooms on a daily basis,” said Dr. Stephanie Osowski, YHS Principal. “I want to thank our amazing teachers and staff, our dedicated students, and our supportive families for making this accreditation possible. We will continue to seek ways to improve and provide our students with the best possible learning experiences and opportunities.”

YHS must continue to follow all relevant policies, procedures, and criteria to maintain its accreditation. Click here to learn more about WASC.

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About the Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Image of a group of young children in a classroom.The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is a regional accrediting agency that accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the western United States. WASC was founded in 1962 and has since then played a crucial role in ensuring the quality of education in the region.

The origins of WASC can be traced back to the early 20th century, when a group of educators in California began to explore the possibility of establishing a regional accrediting agency for schools and colleges in the state. In 1924, the California Association of Secondary Schools was formed, and it soon began to accredit high schools in the state. Over time, the organization expanded its scope to include community colleges and universities as well.

Image of a group of students in a computer lab.In the years that followed, other states in the western United States began to establish their own regional accrediting agencies, including the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

In 1962, these accrediting agencies merged to form the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, which became the primary accrediting agency for schools and colleges in the western United States. The organization’s mission was to promote the welfare, interests, and effectiveness of higher education in the region by ensuring the quality and improvement of educational programs through accreditation.

Image of a group of teenage students sitting on a lawn. Since its founding, WASC has played a critical role in ensuring the quality of education in the western United States. Accreditation by WASC is widely recognized as a mark of academic excellence, and it is a requirement for schools and colleges to receive federal funding and participate in many intercollegiate athletic programs.

Over the years, WASC has continued to evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of schools and colleges in the region. In the 1980s, the organization began to focus more heavily on student learning outcomes and assessment, which became a key component of the accreditation process. In the 1990s, WASC expanded its accreditation services to include international schools and colleges, recognizing the growing importance of global education.

Image of a young student working on a computer.Today, WASC accredits over 4,500 public and private schools, colleges, and universities in California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Micronesia, Palau, and Northern Marianas Islands. The organization is committed to promoting educational excellence and ensuring that students in the western United States have access to high-quality educational programs that prepare them for success in the global economy.

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has a rich history of promoting educational excellence in the western United States. From its early beginnings in California to its current role as a leading accrediting agency for schools and colleges in the region, WASC has played a critical role in ensuring the quality of education in the western United States. As the organization continues to evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of schools and colleges, it will undoubtedly continue to play a vital role in promoting educational excellence and preparing students for success in the 21st century.

Check out this short video on the WASC accreditation process!

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