Accreditation

Our Commitment to WASC Accreditation: Enhancing Excellence in Education

Hsinchu International Academy (HIA) operates as an Experimental Institute, authorized by the Hsinchu County Education Bureau to deliver an international curriculum that integrates standards-based learning and life education for students in grades 7-12. HIA is dedicated to seeking accreditation candidacy status with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in SY 2024-2025, our aim is to align our practices with WASC’s rigorous standards and to further enhance the quality of education we provide.

Our pursuit of WASC accreditation reflects our deep commitment to creating a dynamic learning environment that prioritizes student success. By integrating reflective and inclusive practices into our daily operations, we strive to embody the essence of being "We Are Student-Centered," as articulated in the WASC philosophy. This approach ensures that our commitment to continuous improvement and student achievement remains central to our institutional values.

We understand that meaningful education extends beyond academic achievement to encompass the holistic development of each student. Our curriculum is designed to encourage critical thinking, creativity, and personal growth, preparing our students not only to meet academic standards but also to develop the skills necessary to navigate life's challenges.

Furthermore, we recognize the importance of involving our community stakeholders—parents, teachers, students, and local partners—in the educational process. By actively seeking their input and collaboration, we ensure that our learning environment is responsive to the needs of our students and reflective of our community’s aspirations.

As we move forward in the WASC accreditation process, we are committed to fostering a culture of reflective practice, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement. These principles will guide us in our journey to meet and exceed WASC standards, reinforcing our dedication to providing an educational experience that equips our students with the knowledge, skills, and character to thrive in a global society.

ACS WASC Philosophy

The philosophy of ACS WASC centers upon three beliefs:

(1) a school’s goal is successful student learning;

(2) each school has a clear purpose and schoolwide student goals; and

(3) a school engages in external and internal evaluations as part of continued school improvement to support student learning.

Accreditation is integral to a school’s perpetual cycle of assessment, planning, implementation, monitoring, and reassessment based upon student achievement. It fosters excellence in elementary, secondary, adult, and postsecondary education by encouraging school improvement through a process of continuing evaluation and to recognize, by accreditation, schools that meet an acceptable level of quality, in accordance with established criteria. In addition to its official title, WASC means We Are Student-Centered.

Why Accreditation?

Ensures that a school’s mission and goals are appropriate and effectively achieved through a solid educational program, making the institution trustworthy for student learning.
Confirms the credibility of the school's program and transcripts.
Eases the transfer of credits to other English-speaking schools, which is crucial for global college and university acceptance.
Promotes the ongoing enhancement of the school’s programs and operations to better support student learning.
Provides valuable feedback from peer educators who visit the school.
Offers benefits for schools that opt for joint accreditation or other collaborative processes, such as ACS WASC/CDE.