Accreditations

SBEC is pleased to be listed among the very few schools that are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).

In our pursuit to offer a high quality academic program and school experience SBEC holds membership in, and is accredited by, the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In September, 2010, we completed our most recent SAIS /SACS review and received a unanimous recommendation that our accreditation be renewed for the next five year accreditation period. As part of the ongoing process all schools are required to submit a report two years following the school visit that includes the progress on the goals established by the school. Included is a copy of the report on the five goals set forth by SBEC in our September, 2010 visit. Please note these enhancements have been implemented within the last two years. The addressing of these and other identified initiatives is a continuous process at SBEC.

Goal #1 – Students in grades seven through twelve will have sufficient access to school computers for research purposes, study, and writing outside class time.

1. Computer lab use is available to students from 7:45 am to 3:30 pm unless a class has scheduled use of the lab. A calendar showing scheduled and open time is posted weekly that shows availability.
2. School WI-FI infrastructure has been upgraded to allow greater access and bandwidth for student and guest usage.
3. Students are allowed to bring their own computers to school.

Goal #2 – Faculty and staff will be trained in current trends to recognize and prevent bullying; students will be aware of policies and procedures regarding bullying and cyber-bullying.

1. A bullying and cyber-bullying policy, separate from the established hazing and harassment policy, was developed and implemented in the fall of 2010.
2. The bullying policy is annually addressed with the students and posted in each classroom and in hallway areas for public view.
3. The faculty continues to receive ongoing in-service training addressing bullying with the most recent presentations being held in August and September, 2012.
4. A committee of faculty members has been established to monitor and maintain an environment that promotes the physical and emotional safety and welfare of the students.
5. Biblically based units of study have been established within the elementary and high school Bible classes to emphasize Biblical relationship principles, with reinforcement being provided through chapel speakers and programs.

Goal #3 – Streamline the K-12 mathematics curriculum through deliberate plans, seamless objectives, and equipped teachers.

1. Elementary and high school teachers have met in their respective schools to ensure coherent courses of study through the review and revision of course outlines and objectives.
2. CTP4, PLAN, EXPLORE, and PSAT results were analyzed for course improvements.
3. Geometry course is using online textbook to evaluate effectiveness.
4. Elementary math committee has met regularly the last two years to review grades 1-6 objectives and courses of study. The math curriculum is set to be reviewed this academic year, 2012-2013, hopefully to obtain a more user-friendly textbook while still obtaining online access at home for students and parents.
5. Teachers have made deliberate inclusion of review of skills part of their daily plans.
6. All grades who give CTP meet with administration individually to assess math progress each year and areas that need more attention.
7. Accelerated Math, a supplemental math program, is now web-based so that students can work on objectives at home in grades 3-6.
8. Plans are underway to have intentional vertical meetings, especially in grades 5-7.

Goal #4 – Implement policy reviews in the areas of mission statement, school admissions, and faculty professional growth.

1. A new mission statement was established in the spring of 2011.
2. A committee was formed to review the admissions process and testing procedures. A recommendation has been made and approved that a formal math testing section be added to the admission process for the 2013-2014 school year.
3. A committee of elementary and high school teachers was formed in spring of 2011 to search for updated approaches to professional growth; several plans were evaluated. Teachers visited colleagues in various schools in February, 2012.
4. The elementary technology integrator has implemented a weekly program of teacher professional training.
5. Teachers have been attending workshops in their area of expertise more often. This is a need/plan for the next three years.
6. Teachers who attended the ACSI annual conference obtained access to one year of professional growth programs.

Goal #5 – All students, faculty, staff and visitors will have a secure environment while on campus at SBEC.

1. The school resource officer has been reinstated.
2. A fence was erected around the elementary playground and band practice field in the fall of 2011. As funds become available, a fence will be erected around the remaining back perimeter of the property.
3. The dismissal procedures for all three divisions were reviewed and evaluated by the safety committee. For the 2012-2013 school year, the junior kindergarten as well as 1st and 2nd grades were selected to begin new procedures. Additional procedures will continue to be evaluated and implemented for the current and future school years.
4. A policy has been established and enhanced that requires parents and other guests to schedule appointments to gain access to the classrooms.
5. Monitored access is now operational for the gym entrance from the east wing complex as well as the entrance to the lobbies of both the east wing and main building. Additional secured process for these two areas is still under consideration.