Cambridge Rindge & Latin School gains full accreditation

By Justin T. Martin

New England Association of Schools and Colleges lauds work of educators

CAMBRIDGE - The Cambridge Rindge & Latin School, Cambridge’s only public high school, has earned full accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), the oldest regional accrediting association in the nation.

This stamp of approval means every aspect of academic quality of the Cambridge Rindge & Latin School meets or exceeds the standards set forth by NEASC.

"The high school made it to accreditation in record time," said Dr. Thomas Fowler-Finn, superintendent of Cambridge Public Schools. "Principal Sybil Knight has provided great leadership. When she first arrived at the school, she and the school were still recovering from the torn relations and unfulfilled promises of the prior school administration. The faculty and Dr. Knight have rallied. The high school has turned the corner. It has been a great year in which the largest group of students ever from CRLS were admitted to Harvard and the school gained its full accreditation."

"I look forward to the coming year with the implementation of a college-like schedule and a staff rejuvenated by the full year of in-service and their many accomplishments, including putting the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School back on top."

Dr. Knight, who became principal in 2002, said a realignment of curriculum, an emphasis on professional development initiatives, and teacher involvement all played a part in the accreditation process.

"But really, the most important thing was making students our focus and the achievement of students a high priority," Dr. Knight said.

NEASC officials told Dr. Knight in 2004 that full accreditation could come as early as September 2005. But several key factors, including the creation of writing portfolios, the declining drop-out rate, which is among the lowest in the state, the high level of school safety as reflected in a student survey, and a curriculum that emphasizes depth rather than breadth, helped Cambridge Rindge and Latin gain full accreditation much sooner than expected.