By Latoya Giles
The Georgetown International Academy (GIA) commonly known as the “American School” has once again received world class accreditation. On Wednesday, Principal Dr. Kelly Mekdeci told Kaieteur News that the school is the first school in Guyana to be accredited by AdvancED in the United States.
From left: Jacqueline Urresta, Kem Hussain, Dr. Kelly Mekdeci and W.Darrell Barringer at a recent press conference.
On April 9, the school’s status was officially elevated and extended after a committee of AdvancED scholars completed an in-depth on-site review of the institution.
According to the Principal, the school welcomes local students and its entire body is about 50 percent Guyanese. Mekdeci said that the school caters for “high achievers and those who intend to work hard”.
Mekdeci said that the school strives to be a 21st Century learning community for global citizenship, committed to world-class excellence and to empowering well rounded individuals educated for success in life. She said that its mission is to provide opportunities and challenges for each student to succeed as a lifelong learner and responsible citizen in a changing world.
Director for AdvancED, W. Darrel Barringer told Kaieteur News that there were specific methods by which the school was judged. He explained that they are five indicators: purpose and direction, governance and leaders such as the school administrators; teaching and assessment, which is the heart of the school; resources, and continuous improvement.
The school is graded on a scale from four to one, with four being the highest level. The school had done an initial rating scale and it was verified.
Barringer said that the “school has created an environment conducive to learning and does a tremendous job in preparing students for the challenges that lie ahead in the 21st century.”
In 1998, Georgetown International Academy became the first school in Guyana to be accredited by the AdvancEd.
Accreditation signifies a high level of achievement and adherence to educational standards consistent with schools in the United States and other parts of the world. After an exhaustive nine-month internal review of benchmarks relating to leadership, governance, curriculum, and teaching methods by AdvancED’s education review team, as well as an external analysis of the school, reviewers have certified that GIA meets or exceeds standards set by the U.S. accrediting body.