ACSI Accreditation Team Recommend Reaccreditation for MGCNLCA

Culminating more than a year’s worth of self-study and four days of grueling examination and visitation, the visiting accreditation team of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) has recommended the reaccreditation of MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA). This came after MGCNLCA’s six-year accreditation status expired in June 2023.   

“Being accredited by an international accrediting agency such as ACSI means we are upholding a standard of excellence and quality[,] especially as a Christian school. The process also allows us to evaluate all areas of our school and reflect on our practices, thus giving us insights on how to continuously improve,” shared Raquiel Pinlac, Accreditation Coordinator and Steering Committee Chairperson.

Almost 18 months ago, committees were formed to prepare a self-study report that was submitted to ACSI six weeks before the visit. The accreditation visit last January 21 to 24 was conducted to verify the report.  

The visiting accreditation team was composed of Team Chair Robert Gutzwiller, Assistant Team Chair Jenn Lindemuth, and fellow accreditors Tressa White, Ces Tajale, Dave Baniszewski, Ashley Phifer, Matthew Mann, and Randy Schmidt.

They were warmly welcomed to MGCNLCA by the school administrators led by School Director Helen Villanueva, School Principal Evangeline Co, the supervisors, and members of the Board of Trustees. Teachers and students alike gathered at the school gym for the opening ceremonies, which saw Patmos A give a repeat performance of their winning Buwan ng Wika dance number “Liwanag sa Dilim.”

The visiting accreditation team then spent the rest of the day meeting selected parents, students, teachers, and other stakeholders of the school. During these meetings, they asked questions to gauge the thoughts of the stakeholders about the school to identify potential areas for improvement in the school's current system. 

The team also visited the different classes, observing how things are done inside the classroom and doing on-the-spot interviews with students and teachers they see along the hallways. 

The closing ceremony was held on the afternoon of January 24. The program began with a special performance from the Lower Primary Years and Upper Primary Years student choirs, followed by a Filipino dance number by selected Grades 1 to 6 teachers.

Visiting Team Chair Robert Gutzwiller then reported on the team’s findings and recommended MGCNLCA for reaccreditation. He acknowledged the hard work of the ACSI Steering Committee and expressed their collective appreciation for the hospitality shown to them. Gutzwiller encouraged the teachers and assured them that their labor was not in vain.  

In her acknowledgment remarks, School Director Villanueva thanked the accreditation team for their guidance and thorough assessment of the school during the accreditation process. Villanueva also acknowledged the work done by the ACSI Steering Committee and the Standard Heads “for leading the faculty and staff in the comprehensive study and evaluation of our curriculum, programs, and systems.”   

“We commit to diligently pursue and work on all the recommendations to ensure that MGCNL not only meets but exceeds the expectations set forth,” promised Villanueva.  MGCNLCA faculty and staff then sang “Carry the Torch” as a sign of that commitment.

James Tioco, Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Pinlac both expressed their gratitude for the visiting team’s recommendation.  The program concluded with a thanksgiving dinner for the faculty and staff.

MGCNLCA initially applied for the ACSI accreditation during the school year 2007-2008 and became accredited for a seven-year term.  The school was granted reaccreditation in 2016 for another six years, which was extended by one year due to the pandemic.