ACS WASC Visiting Committee Visits Redwood High School

By Ayla Ozturk

VISALIA, CA— On Monday, March 20, 2023, a visiting committee from the Accrediting Commission of Schools [ACS] Western Association of Schools and Colleges [WASC] visited Redwood High School.

The committee is composed of educators who evaluate the school guided by six categories of criteria: organization for student learning, what students learn, how students learn, how assessment is used, student personal and academic support, and school culture and environment.

They verify that the curriculum is vigorous, relevant, and appropriate for the high school level.

Jennifer Rider, Mike Johnson, and Larry Herrera Jr. were on the committee visiting Redwood.

Rider is a counselor at a high school in Mariposa County, California. This is her first WASC visit.

Rider decided to serve on the committee because she comes from a small high school of approximately 450 students and wanted to see a larger school.

She says, “Coming to a very large high school, I was really excited about the opportunity of seeing how you guys do it here, what you do, the different programs, and everything.”

Johnson teaches Physical Education [P.E] at a high school in Compton, California. Like Rider, this is his first WASC visit.

“I really wanted to see what the [WASC] process was like, but also I wanted to see how other schools are run and make sure that here at Redwood, they’re providing the best [experience] for their students, and making sure that [students] have the best education possible,” Johnson says.

Herrera Jr. is a shop teacher at a high school in Porterville. He has been on 19 WASC visits.

He says he joined the committee to “make sure that the students at Redwood High School are receiving the best education that they can and that the teachers and staff are trying to improve that education every year.”

The committee met with parents at the Parent Teacher Student Association [PTSA] meeting on Monday, March 20.

They also met with various focus groups of teachers, staff, and a group of students.

Redwood Principal Dr. Amanda Richard was the host of the visit. She scheduled meetings, focus groups, and more.

“I ensured the team had everything they needed to conduct their visit, site maps, master schedule, a place to collaborate, breakfast, lunch, dinner, lodging,” she says.

The visit is happening during Dr. Richard’s first year at the school. She says, “It has been a lot, but [also] a blessing because I have learned so much about Redwood by digging into the data of the school.”

The committee was able to provide some insight into their impressions of Redwood.

“Redwood looks like it’s a very good school. It’s got top programs and some of the best teachers in the valley,” Herrera Jr. says. “It’s impressive, and it’s a school that I think a lot of other schools want to mirror and be like Redwood High School.”

Johnson says, “One thing I’ve noticed is a lot of the focus for teachers is trying to get their students prepared for what’s next. Whether it’s through the CTE classes, whether it’s through college prep classes, and that’s really a great focus for this school.”

“The students seem very mature and very professional. Walking into [a] classroom, almost all of them are ready. They’re on time, they’re prepared and quiet. It seems like everyone understands what’s expected.

“That goes a long way to explain the culture of the school and how professional it is, which is a good sign.”

“I did notice that [Redwood’s] students are welcoming,” Rider says. At the time of the interview, she had already gotten lost twice. “The first student that I came up to, and every single time, [students] have been so nice and helpful.”

Johnson says, “I’ve gotten two fist bumps. Random kids have come up to me and said, ‘Hey, welcome to Redwood'”

Redwood should receive its accreditation status in 4-6 weeks.

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