School Accreditation

St. James Cathedral School is fully accredited through the Florida Catholic Conference (FCC). The Florida Catholic Conference Accreditation Program, developed by state diocesan educational leaders in consultation with school pastors and principals, has been approved for use in the Catholic schools by the Florida Bishops. The standards of this accreditation program are derived from sound educational research and influenced by Catholic educational philosophy which integrates faith and values with life and learning. These standards assist schools in working through a dynamic self-evaluation process which promotes accountability and on-going excellence.

The standards used by the Florida Catholic Conference are the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools as well as the the Florida Department of Education and Florida Department of Children and Families.

On a seven-year rotation, each school uses these standards to evaluate the effectiveness of their school. In collaboration with the School Advisory Board, parent, and student input, each school documents how they meet the standards. The school also creates a multi-year plan for continued improvement which is then approved by an FCC visiting team.

Further, these standards, by serving as a basis to ensure quality in the schools, justify the faith that parents and others have placed in them. Catholic schools educate and contribute to the formation of a healthy and morally sound lifestyle. They are a tool for evangelization and have a reputation for quality education, discipline in the classroom, and transmission of Catholic values. The Florida Catholic Conference Accreditation program is designed to enhance all of these areas. Since its beginning more than five decades ago, this accreditation program has ushered in many positive changes and has ensured the continuation in improvement of Catholic schools in Florida. The efforts of the dedicated pastors, administrators, teachers, parents, etc., are a blessing to this program and to the children in Catholic schools in Florida.