Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Fa’asao Marist High School has received an additional three years of accreditation, according to the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ASC WASC) which says that the action was taken at the Spring 2021 Commission meeting.

Commission chairperson Gregory A. Franklin informed the Catholic high school’s then-principal Lentoy F Matagi that ASC WASC Commissioners have determined that Fa’asao Marist meets accreditation criteria.

“This accreditation status is based on all of the information provided by the school, including school’s report, and the satisfactory completion of the accreditation visit,” Franklin wrote in the accreditation letter last month. “It is the decision of the Commission to remove probation and grant three additional years of accreditation status.”

The school’s next self-study visit will take place on June 30, 2024, according to the letter, which was later posted to the Dioceses of Samoa Pago Pago’s Facebook page and commenters commended the school.

“Accreditation status is conditioned upon Fa’asao Marist High School’s continued adherence with ASC WASC policies, procedures, and criteria for accreditation,” Franklin wrote. “This includes a requirement that an accredited school annually contribute members to participate on visiting committees.”

Franklin emphasized that failure to maintain compliance with policies, procedures and standards is grounds for modification and/or withdrawal of the accreditation.

In closing, Franklin said the Commission looks forward to Fa’asao Marist High School’s anticipated success and continuing improvement in keeping with ASC WASC’s pursuit of excellence in elementary, secondary, and adult education.

As previously reported by Samoa News in late April, Dr. Lina Galea’i-Scanlan, the former Vice President of Administration and Finance at the American Samoa Community College had accepted the appointment as the next principal of Fa’asao Marist High.

The announcement was made by Bishop Peter Brown, leader of the Diocese of Samoa Pago Pago. (See Samoa News Apr. 21st for details)