Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Following a recent visit by a team from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Fa’asao Marist High School has been given “two-years accreditation, with the next visit to be in 2020,” according to Catholic Education director, Brother Christopher Popwell.

"Ideally, accreditation with WASC is for 6 years, with a re-visit done after 3 years to check progress,” he explained, adding that the accreditation was given for just 2 years, called "probationary" because of “significant changes needed in the format of the school’s self-review.”

He also said that changed reporting requirements were introduced in 2016, but the Catholic high school “was unaware of these changes and therefore the review was considered incomplete.”

“It means a re-visit will be done in 2 years — instead of 3 — and a new report is due before then, incorporating the needed changes,” he said in a statement.

As previously reported by Samoa News the WASC accreditation team was in the territory in May this year, visiting four public high schools and Fa’asao Marist.

ASG Education director Dr. Ruth Matagi-Tofiga confirmed to Samoa News early this month that Fagaitua, Tafuna and Manu'a high schools all received 6-year accreditation with a follow-up after 3 years. However, the DOE director has yet to comment as to the status of Leone High School’s accreditation.