In anticipation of a visit from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or SACS, students and parents at West Alabama Preparatory School are cleaning up their acts – literally.

Saturday morning, approximately 50 WAP students and parents gathered for a campus clean-up day.

“We’ve been working really hard,” WAP headmaster Lynn Compton said. “The family involvement is great. Saturday we did a lot of painting and cleaning.”

A SACS representative will visit the school March 14-15 and determine whether the school should be accredited according to the organization’s “Non-Public School Standards.”

Requirements for accreditation include a continuous process of educational improvement, a quality beliefs and missions statement, a school governance and leadership system, financial resources for education opportunities, communications and community relationships, development of decision-making skills and ethical and lawful conduct.

On paper, Compton said, the school is ready, but now administrators are focused on being physically ready for SACS’s representative.

The standard Compton and her families are currently working on falls under the facilities section of the code.

“The school site, facility and equipment (must be) functional, safe and fully support the school’s mission,” the standards read. “The school (must be) in compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws, standards and regulations … the buildings are climate controlled, well-lighted, heated and well-ventilated.”

At a recent meeting, WAP faculty and families also discussed replacing air filters and completing regular upkeep repairs. Just to be sure everything is in shape before the representative visits, Compton has two more workdays scheduled.

“We will have another one next Saturday,” she said, “and we will have on two weeks from now. I think the visit will go well.”

– abaldwin@demopolistimes.com