My son really likes learning the material for the first time. We are all very happy with the progress he has made.-- Lydian parent
|
 |
Credits and AccreditationUC Approved CoursesThe Lydian Academy college prep curriculum is UC-approved. This means that courses completed at Lydian will count towards college eligibility in the Cal State and UC systems, as well as most other colleges and universities. AccreditationIn May, 2007 Lydian Academy was approved by the Accrediting Commission for Schools for Candidacy Status for grades 9-12. The Executive Director of WASC was favorably impressed during his visit. He gave us an additional vote of confidence by encouraging Lydian to apply for Full Accreditation in 18-24 months rather than the usual three years. "You are ready", he said. Accreditation, Credits, and Transcripts: Frequently Asked QuestionsBelow you will find answers to specific questions about accreditation and how the Lydian credits are accepted by other schools.
Will courses I take at Lydian count for college?It is at the discretion of each college or university to recognize high school coursework. Because our courses are UC-approved, the CSU and UC systems will count Lydian's college prep curriculum towards college eligibility. Private schools vary, but most will accept courses from WASC-accredited and WASC-candidate institutions. What happens to my GPA if I repeat a course and receive a higher grade at Lydian?It is up to your high school to determine how to calculate the GPA on your transcript. Some will use the repeated grade instead of the original, others will average it in, and others will not count it at all. However, most colleges, including UC and CSU, recalculate your GPA according to published formulas. Both UC and CSU will use the repeated grade in calculating the eligibility GPA, providing you are repeating a course in which you earned a D+ or lower. Will courses I take at Lydian count towards high school graduation?With your school's permission, Lydian courses will count towards high school graduation. When requesting permission from your high school to transfer credits be sure to mention that Lydian's courses are UC-approved. What if my high school will not accept credits from Lydian Academy?It is always best to work with your high school and obtain permission to transfer credits before enrolling at Lydian. However, if you are taking the class to improve your transcript for college and the class is not required for high school graduation, you do not need your high school's permission to take the course. As long as the course is UC-approved, the Lydian transcript will be recognized by CSUs, UCs and most other colleges and universities. The two most common scenarios in which courses may be needed for college but not high school are:
What is accreditation?Accreditation is a voluntary, non-governmental process which certifies to other education institutions and to the general public that a school meets established quality criteria and is achieving stated educational objectives. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is the accreditation body for schools in California. Why is accreditation important?Most colleges and other high schools will only accept transcripts from schools that have achieved a WASC affiliation - Candidacy, Interim, or Full Accreditation. What happens when a new school is reviewed by WASC?When a new school applies for WASC affiliation for the first time, a WASC visiting team will come onsite to review the program. As a new school, the possible outcomes of a site visit are Interim Accreditation, Candidacy, or Denial. Candidacy status is a common outcome for new schools. It is awarded to schools that show potential but do not yet have enough data and track record to determine accreditation. To be awarded candidacy status a school must show evidence of sound planning, resources for implementation, and potential for attaining quality goals within a reasonable amount of time. Schools are normally expected to apply for full accreditation by the third year of candidacy. Candidate schools are permitted to use the following phrase in their literature and on transcripts: "Approved Candidate for Accreditation, Western Association of Schools and Colleges" Is Lydian Academy WASC-accredited?In May, 2007 Lydian Academy was approved by the Accrediting Commission for Schools for Candidacy Status for grades 9-12. We have applied for a Self-Study visit to determine Full Accreditation in Spring, 2009. Do other schools recognize WASC candidates?Yes. Peer institutions, that is other WASC accredited schools, are expected to recognize transcripts from WASC candidates. For example, UC and CSU will accept credits for UC-approved courses from candidate schools. Does the Lydian management team have experience with WASC accreditation?Yes. Rhonda Racine, the Lydian Executive Director, has a proven track record for achieving accreditation. From 2001-2006 she served as principal of a non-traditional high school in Los Altos. Under Ms. Racine's leadership the school achieved its first full WASC accreditation in 2005. Ms. Racine has completed extensive WASC training and she served on the WASC visiting team that evaluated Vista High School, a non-traditional high school in the East Bay. Does Lydian Academy award high school diplomas?Yes. Lydian awards high school diplomas to students who are enrolled full-time at Lydian and for whom Lydian is their high school of record. The Lydian Graduation Requirements exceed those specified by the state of California.
|