Local high schools under review for accreditation

A couple of Newport-Mesa Unified School District schools will see what their peers have to say about them in a few months.

Costa Mesa High School will be greeted by the Western Assn. of Schools and Colleges Saturday, and Estancia High School was just visited by a committee from the organization that evaluates schools, according to school officials.

The WASC accreditation allows the schools to be seen as valid, said Tom Antal, director of secondary education for the school district.

The longer the period of accreditation the better the school, the best accreditation being six years with a three-year check up — the district’s goal, Antal said.

After the WASC visit, it will be about three months before the schools are notified of the accreditation decision.

— Daniel Tedford