Simsbury High plans NEASC collaborative conference for Oct. 6–7, 2026; school seeks broad stakeholder input

Simsbury High School administrators told the Board of Education on Sept. 9 that the school is beginning its NEASC accreditation cycle and will host a collaborative conference Oct. 6–7, 2026. The school’s principal and co‑chairs outlined the peer‑review process and requested broad family, student and staff participation in surveys and on‑site meetings.

Maggie Bridal, principal, and assistant principal Georgia Robert and Spanish teacher Amanda Caserati (NEASC co‑chairs) described the sequence: a year of self‑study and evidence gathering, a collaborative conference (a smaller, two‑day peer‑review visit) next October, action planning afterward, and a decennial visit in the later cycle. The collaborative team will review five accreditation standards (student learning, learning culture, professional practices, learning support and learning resources), examine foundational elements such as safety and curriculum documentation, observe classes and meet with stakeholder groups including students, parents, central office and the board.

Administrators said staff surveys were already underway and that student and family surveys will follow (students on Oct. 7 and a family survey to be distributed ahead of open house). They asked board members to reserve Oct. 6–7, 2026, for possible participation and to encourage family participation in the survey. The visiting team will be a peer group (typically five or six educators) who will prepare a written report during and immediately after on‑site observations; NEASC staff do not attend the visit, administrators said.

Board members asked about costs and logistics; staff said districts cover hotel, travel and meals for visiting peer reviewers but do not pay a NEASC fee for the collaborative visit. Administrators framed the process as a peer‑driven improvement exercise and said it yields an external perspective to validate strengths, surface blind spots and guide multi‑year improvement plans.