ACCREDITATION

The Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Reno are exempt from the Private Elementary and Secondary education Authorization Act as allowed by NRS 394.211

In effect, this means that the school s are recognized by the State of Nevada as alternatives to public schools but are not subject to the licensing requirements of the state. Exempt schools are required to provide a curriculum equivalent to that required for public schools and that follows the state curriculum standards. Instruction time, length of day and school year must meet state requirements. The schools are required to compel with all applicable state, country, and local health, safety and fire inspections and laws, ordinances and regulation including those relating to fire emergency drills, vehicles and immunization of pupils.

The standard curriculum in use in the Diocese of Reno is Growing Together from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, along with the Nevada State Standards. Changes in curriculum are made as deemed appropriate to the needs of students and for use in Nevada by the school administrations and the approval of the superintendent. All elementary school students in grades 2-8 (First is optional) are tested annually in the fall of the school ear through the use of the Stanford-9 Test. These test results are provided to the parents at the end of the first quarter of the school year.

The Western Catholic Educational Association, using instrument developed to meet the accreditation standards of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Evaluates the elementary schools every six years. schools than received certification through the WCEA. Little Flower School has just been accredited and certified through the 2008-2009 school year.