All of the schools within the Diocese of Kalamazoo are accredited by the Michigan Non-Public School Accrediting Association (MNSAA). Each school undergoes a five-year cycle that begins with a self-study based on the standards laid out in the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Schools followed by a site team visit to review the work the school has submitted and to evaluate the school’s performance. As a component of the process, each school submits reports with evidence on their progress in improving their performance on each of the standards on non-site visit years.

Michigan Non-Public School Accrediting Association
 
National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Schools

 

Teacher Certification

 
All Catholic school teachers within the diocese hold the expected credentials of any teacher; at a minimum a bachelor’s degree with the needed certification to teach at their respective levels in core subject areas. All teachers must maintain their certification by participating in professional development or obtaining continuing education.

All of the schools in the diocese are governed by Local Consultative Advisory Boards (LCAB). All of the boards are advisory-only in nature except for the Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo (CSGK) Board. The CSGK board is one of limited jurisdiction and has some control over finances and system decisions in addition to being advisory in other areas.  Membership on the board is open to parents, parishioners, and members of the local community. 

Boards or commission contribute to vision, leadership, and service to ensure the future of the school. Members of the LCAB work within the framework of the general school policies and regulations established by the Diocese of Kalamazoo. The main functions of an LCAB are:

• Formulate policy
• Conduct long-range planning
• Review and approve the budget
• Assist in the solicitation of funding 
• Evaluate self and the school administrator 
• Assist in promoting the educational program and public relations

• To provide an opportunity for laity to participate in the educational ministry of the church
• To provide unity, direction, and stability for the educational programs
• To ensure the rights and duties of those served by or employed by the institution
• To foster the institution's mission
• To represent the stakeholders

All board members must complete a board training provided by the Diocesan Office of Schools before they hold voting rights.