Raffles American School gains WASC accreditation

Accreditation lasts until June 2017.

Raffles Education Corporation Limited (RafflesEducationCorp) announced that its Raffles American School (RAS) is now an accredited institution by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, USA (WASC) through June 2017.

"This is a significant achievement for RAS, which is just into its second academic year, particularly given the unanimous decision on the part of the WASC Executive Committee to confer RAS with this prominent accolade," the company said.

"Only the most accomplished schools receive immediate accreditation by the WASC Executive Committee without delay for a full Commission vote. This is a clear validation of RAS’ strengths and true focus on student learning," it added.

WASC is a world-renowned accrediting association and one of six regional accrediting agencies in the United States.

RafflesEducationCorp said the philosophy of the Accrediting Commission for Schools centers upon three beliefs: (1) a school’s goal is successful student learning; (2) each school has a clear purpose and school-wide student goals; and (3) a school engages in external and internal evaluations as part of continued school improvement to support student learning.

"WASC encourages school improvement through a process of continued evaluation and to recognize, by accreditation, schools that meet an acceptable level of quality, in accordance with established criteria. WASC means 'We Are Student-Centered'. RAS’ vision is to be a learning institution that empowers students to achieve their academic and life potential, with rigorous and rich academic and co-curricular programs designed to encourage student growth through a learning outcome approach, acknowledging multiple types of intelligence and paths to learning," said the company.

Offering an American Pre-K-12 curriculum program with Advanced Placement Offerings in high school, RAS students are well prepared for entry into universities worldwide. RAS is currently operating at a temporary location in the Anjung Neighborhood Center in Nusajaya, the growing Iskandar Development Region in Johor. Its permanent site in the vicinity is designed by the New York Architectural firm of SOM (Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP).

Construction is targeted for phase one completion for Kindergarten through Grade 12, including full boarding capacity in the 2014-2015 school year.