Earlier this week, Menaul School was elected to membership by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS) having met the requirements necessary for Association accreditation.

“This is a great affirmation for Menaul School!”  said Lindsey Gilbert, Head of School, upon learning of the accreditation while in attendance at the ISAS Heads of School Meeting in Dallas, TX.  “ISAS is a southwest regional accrediting body which has recognized the quality of our program and school.  The Association has rigorous standards and a demanding accreditation process that require schools to put forth sustained effort to achieve. Menaul has been working on the goal of ISAS accreditation for a number of years and we are thrilled to be recognized by such a quality organization.”

Menaul Board of Trustees Chair, Julie Weaks Gutierrez, agrees: “This a landmark event for Menaul School and is the culmination of many years of work by faculty, staff, administration and trustees.  It validates what all of us already know—that the education Menaul provides for its students is excellent. We are privileged, as well, to be a part of the fine community of Albuquerque ISAS schools. Congratulations to everyone involved in this effort.”

The Independent Schools Association of the Southwest is a non-profit voluntary membership association of independent schools. The Association was founded in 1955 and includes schools located in Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Mexico. Other ISAS schools in New Mexico include:  Albuquerque Academy, Bosque School, Manzano Day School, Rio Grande School, Sandia Preparatory School, Santa Fe Preparatory School, and United World College- USA.

ISAS promotes the highest professional and ethical standards of educational excellence for independent schools in the region and recognizes by formal ongoing accreditation those schools which demonstrate adherence to its standards. As a collective voice of the independent schools of the southwest, ISAS fosters collegial relations among its member schools and represents their interests.

ISAS member schools determine their own unique missions and are mission driven. They are incorporated as 501(c)(3) non-profit institutions and are supported primarily by tuition, contributions, and endowment income. Member schools have clearly stated educational philosophies which emphasize academic preparation, are committed to high educational standards and ongoing institutional improvement, and are governed by independent boards of trustees. ISAS member schools practice non-discriminatory policies and demonstrate good faith efforts to diversify the student body, faculty, and staff.

Gilbert continued, “This puts us in the company of the best schools in the country.  We are confident that we belong in this group, but it is nice to have that confirmed by a quality organization like ISAS.”

Rhonda Durham, ISAS Executive Director extended her congratulations on behalf of the Association. “We are very pleased to welcome Menaul School as an ISAS member school.  This achievement is the product of extensive and fine collaborative work and it has been a privilege for ISAS to work with many at the School toward this goal."

www.isasw.org