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IC Features
proving during regular reviews that they
have developed and grown.
As the last report was completed and the
last paper filed, a collective sigh of relief
and satisfaction was echoed around the
campus.
“It was a big relief, celebration, cham-
pagne!” said Ghusayni.
But it wasn’t over. In October, six in-
ternational educators arrived on campus.
Their job was to assess IC – largely based
on the self study, classroom observation,
and on personal interviews with students,
parents, administrators, faculty and staff.
Concern about the political situation
prevented a larger team from arriving to
Beirut. As a compromise, a handful of
IC administrators flew to New York in
November and met for three days with
representatives of both CIS and NEASC,
answering questions, clarifying issues and
providing supplementary information.
Now, begins the waiting period. Has IC
succeeded in meeting all standards and did
it respond to the recommendations given
to it during the last assessment?
Accreditors usually look at two yard-
sticks to evaluate the school. The first one
is the mission, philosophy and objectives of
the school. Are IC programs supporting it?
Does everyone from the teachers, students
to staff members understand it?
In other words, is IC practicing what it
preaches?
The second index is whether IC meets the
standards set by the accrediting agencies.
So, what do we need accreditation for?
For one thing, it puts IC firmly in the midst
of worldwide leading international schools.
And for another, it benefits students when
applying to university or transferring to
schools in other countries.
“There’s a professional comfort about the
status of the school,” said Ghusayni. “We
can live without accreditation but living
with it is much better. It is an incentive for
endless improvement.”
25 January 2008
Dear John
Award of CIS Re-Accreditation
I am pleased to inform you that the decision of the Trustees was
that IC should be awarded CIS Re-Accreditation.
You may now publish the fact that the International College,
Beirut has been re-accredited by the Council of International
Schools.
In reaching their re-accreditation decision, the CIS Trustees
took into account the positive features of the school highlighted in
the Visiting Team Report, including:
• The IC Staf f for creating and maintaining an ethos of
tolerance, understanding and inclusivity which reflects core
values of international education and that promotes a positive
involvement of students in the IC spirit across all areas of
school.
• The Faculty on both campuses for encouraging perception of
IC as “one school” across two sites, three language programs
and four Secondary School diploma options.
• The Educational Resources Center for promoting new
approaches to teaching and learning both within IC and through
outreach to Lebanese schools.
• The Teachers for their comprehensive documentation of the
curriculum across the divisions.
• The Board and Administration for their responsible fiscal
management.
• The Special Needs personnel in the Elementary and Preschool
for the well-developed support program for students with
learning dif ficulties.
With my best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Gerry Percy
Director of Accreditation Services
Council of international Schools (CIS)