ISACS Accreditation Report for Chaminade College Preparatory School
Introduction
The fifteen member ISACS Visiting Team arrived at Chaminade College Preparatory School on a sunny November 16, 2008 and team members were greeted by young men who enthusiastically led the guests on a tour of the 55-acre campus in Creve Coeur, MO. The Team was immediately immersed in the proud history, spirit and mission of this fine institution, which is approaching its 100th anniversary. The young men of Chaminade shared their love of their school, their pride in being a part of this school community and their understanding of Catholic education in the Marianist tradition. Likewise, the team met with faculty and staff who, in word and deed, made all members feel welcome and comfortable. From the school’s attention to every detail in the self study and preparation for the visit to the wonderful hospitality displayed by all constituent groups with whom team members interacted, the visit proved to the ISACS Visiting Team that this school lives its mission of formation in faith, providing integral, quality education, educating in the family spirit, educating for service, justice and peace, and educating for adaptation and change.
Chaminade College Preparatory School is the home to 846 young men ranging from Grades 6 – 12. The Head of School, Fr. Ralph Siefert, was appointed in 1987 and has led the school, along with his Administrative Team, Board of Trustees and faculty and staff since that date. The school was founded in 1910 by The Society of Mary (Marianists) as a college preparatory school for young men and continues today with both day and boarding students. This institution has been a valuable asset to the St. Louis educational community and, more importantly, to the Catholic educational community for nearly 100 years. It now stands on the threshold of a future that is built on the richness of its history and will be guided by its mission and inspiration to heights and achievements yet unrealized.
Major Commendations
The ISACS Visiting Team commends Chaminade College Preparatory School for its:
1. Faculty and administration who are passionate in their commitment to providing the best quality education consistent with the school’s Marianist mission. Their adaptability to change, willingness to explore new ideas, and dedication to building community makes them exceptional role models for the young men attending Chaminade.
2. Commitment to the enduring traditions of a Marianist education, which permeates the practices and ethos of the School and is articulated and embraced by the administration, faculty, students, alumni and parents alike.
3. Sense of family which can be felt throughout the Chaminade community. Students are happy and willing to learn, parents are pleased with their choice of educational environments, alumni are proud of their alma mater, faculty members enjoy teaching and are dedicated beyond expectations, staff members are cooperative and supportive, and administrators are genuinely committed to the school’s mission. This welcoming and congenial environment embodies the Marianist traditions upon which Chaminade was founded , demonstrating how spiritual development can flourish in a strong educational environment, especially when it is nurtured in a family setting.
4. Atmosphere in which teaching and learning are highly valued and undertaken with the utmost respect for the spiritual well being of the whole person. Excitement in the classroom, confidence with technology, friendly intercommunication between faculty and students, and caring for others are evident everywhere in the school’s daily life. This holistic approach to education is engendered by the living example and the educational principles of Marianist teaching.
5. Number and variety of academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular programs. The faculty deserves recognition, as well, for its willingness to share the responsibility for making these programs succeed and for their unselfishness in sharing their time and talent to make this school a vibrant, rewarding, educational experience for the students.
Major Recommendations
The ISACS Visiting Team recommends that Chaminade College Preparatory School:
1. Construct a comprehensive plan that outlines policies of faculty compensation, equitable workload including contractual hours and extra duty assignments, job descriptions, leave accrual, and benefits/salary. Transparency and communication of these policies to the faculty through ongoing dialog and written material is essential.
2. Recognize and address the need for a cooperative, institution-wide, multi-constituent database system. Database redundancy and inefficiencies exist both inter- and intra-department. Solutions should be identified and implemented in close cooperation among all administrative functions.
3. Acknowledge and identify the learning differences that exist in the school population and design and implement a program that will equip the faculty with strategies needed to serve these students and will provide the students with the academic assistance that they need to be successful in this college preparatory curriculum.
4. Design, implement and allocate resources for a plan to upgrade the general appearance of the older campus buildings in order to ensure their attractiveness and cleanliness and to highlight their historic architectural design. Addressing the deferred maintenance issues and making cosmetic improvements to these older structures will accentuate their historic value and stately presence on the campus as new facilities are added.
Conclusion
The ISACS Visiting Team wishes to thank the Chaminade College Preparatory School community for its extraordinary hospitality during the accreditation process. Every detail of the exemplary self-study document and the actual school visit, along with the countless “extras” that were part of this experience, constituted an enjoyable, informative and thoroughly delightful three-day visit to this fine school.
The Team would also like to congratulate Father Ralph Siefert for his twenty-one years of committed service to the school, to recognize the dedication and professionalism of the faculty and staff and to applaud an exceptional student body. Father Siefert’s leadership, coupled with the strong professional community, set a tone of excellence and guide the school community with a healthy “adapt and change” attitude.
The Team wishes only the best for Chaminade as the school enters into its centennial year and begins its second century of providing quality college preparatory education in the Marianist tradition to the young men of St. Louis, MO. God bless you in your wonderful work!