JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

John Paul II Catholic High School was granted full accreditation by the State Board of Education on June 4, 2008.  JPIICHS is now listed as a state approved school on their website www.doe.in.gov under "high schools".  The school has worked hard to gain this accreditation and will now issue its own diplomas recognized by the State of Indiana.  21st Century Scholars are now able to receive the full benefits of that college program.  John Paul II Catholic High School will still use the Seton Home Study School curriculum and will continue to fulfill all Indiana State requirements for graduation from high school as well as fulfilling all requirements for the Seton program and other laws for the Freeway Accreditation received by the school.

Below are several questions you must ask regarding accreditation before deciding whether or not to attend John Paul II Catholic High School.

What does accreditation mean?

Accreditation means that Seton Home Study School has been inspected by an outside, independent agency that has determined that Seton meets accepted standards for schools. These standards include standards regarding seriousness of their course of studies, handling of academic records, accounting practices, and business practices.

Why is accreditation important?

Accreditation is important for several reasons: First, you know that an accredited school has submitted to a detailed inspection by an outside objective agency. Besides this inspection, the school is required to follow accepted educational practices established by the accrediting agency. Assurance is given that the school has met the standards and will continue to meet them to maintain its accreditation.

Second, it is much easier to transfer credits from an accredited school than from a non-accredited school. A student who receives high school credits from Seton knows that these credits are backed by the prestige of the accrediting agency. John Paul II cannot guarantee that other schools will accept Seton credits; however, accredited schools do routinely accept all credits as provided by other accredited high schools. Schools are much less likely to accept credits from non-accredited schools.

Third, accreditation is especially important when applying to college. Credits from an accredited school will likely be viewed as much more important than credits from a non-accredited school. The reason is simple: colleges know that accredited schools maintain accepted standards. Colleges know nothing about credits from a non-accredited school.

By whom is Seton Home School accredited?

Seton Home Study School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), which is a member of the Committee on International and Trans-regional Accreditation (CITA). These agencies are recognized as accrediting agencies by the United States Department of Education. Moreover, the Virginia Board of Education has awarded Seton a Proprietary Schools Certificate. The Virginia Council for Private Education  (VCPE) oversees accreditation of nonpublic preschool, elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
 
It is vital that a school is accredited by one of the regional accrediting agencies recognized by the U. S. Department of Education. The regional accrediting agencies are as follows:

MSA     Middle States Association
NASC   Northwest Association of Schools & Colleges
NCA     North Central Association of Colleges & Schools
NEASC New England Association of Schools & Colleges
SACS   Southern Association of Colleges & Schools
WASC  Western Association of Schools & College

Does VCSC accept Seton Home Study School credits?
 
The schools of the Vigo County School Corporation (VCSC) are accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges & Schools. The VCSC accepts credits awarded by Seton to John Paul II Catholic High students provided that the course content and student contact time substantially meet that of a corresponding course offered by VCSC. The policy for students transferring to VCSC is as follows:

"When students transfer into a Vigo County School Corporation high school from a high school that is accredited by the State Department of Education (no matter from what state) we accept all the credits awarded without question."

Furthermore, students transferring  to a VCSC high school are required to pass the ISTEP+Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE). John Paul II Catholic High students do not take the GQE because the Indiana Department of Education will not permit schools not enrolled with the state, such as Seton, to offer the GQE test.