OAKHURST – Yosemite High School has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) through June 2025. The school was informed of its renewed status following a recent mid-cycle visit.
The accreditation process includes an evaluation by members of a committee to examine the school’s purpose, program and operations based on the WASC criteria.
A key aspect of these criteria is a school’s commitment to a continuous improvement cycle involving all stakeholders.
dr Stephanie Osowski.
“We are proud to maintain our WASC accreditation as it reflects the outstanding things that happen in our building and in our classrooms on a daily basis,” said Dr. Stephanie Osowski, YHS Director. “I want to thank our amazing teachers and staff, our dedicated students and our supportive families for making this accreditation possible. We will continue to look for ways to improve and provide our students with the best possible learning experiences and opportunities.”
YHS must continue to follow all relevant policies, procedures and criteria to maintain its accreditation. Click here to learn more about WASC.
About the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is a regional accrediting agency that accredits public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the western United States. WASC was founded in 1962 and since then has played a crucial role in ensuring the quality of education in the region.
The origins of WASC can be traced back to the early 20th century when a group of educators in California began exploring the possibility of establishing a regional accrediting agency for state schools and colleges. In 1924 the California Association of Secondary Schools was formed and soon began accrediting high schools in the state. Over time, the organization expanded its scope to include adult education centers and universities.
In the years that followed, other states in the western United States began establishing their own regional accrediting agencies, including the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
In 1962, these accrediting agencies merged to form the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, which became the premier accrediting agency for schools and colleges in the western United States. The organization’s mission was to promote the well-being, interests and effectiveness of higher education in the region by ensuring the quality and improvement of educational programs through accreditation.
Since its inception, WASC has played a critical role in ensuring the quality of education in the Western United States. Accreditation by WASC is widely recognized as a mark of academic excellence and is a requirement for schools and colleges to receive federal funding and participate in many intercollegiate athletic programs.
Over the years, WASC has evolved and adapted to meet the changing needs of schools and colleges in the area. During the 1980s, the organization became more focused on student learning outcomes and assessment, which became a key component of the accreditation process. In the 1990s, WASC expanded its accreditation services to international schools and colleges, recognizing the growing importance of global learning.
Today, WASC accredits over 4,500 public and private schools, colleges and universities in California, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Micronesia, Palau and the Northern Mariana Islands. The organization is committed to promoting educational excellence and ensuring that students in the western United States have access to quality educational programs that prepare them for success in the global economy.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has a long history of promoting educational excellence in the western United States. From its early beginnings in California to its current role as the region’s leading accrediting agency for schools and colleges, WASC has played a critical role in ensuring the quality of education in the western United States. As the organization continues to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of schools and colleges, it will no doubt continue to play a vital role in promoting excellent education and preparing students for success in the 21st century.
Watch this short video about the WASC accreditation process!
