By Mari Radtke
For nearly a decade Zion-St. John Lutheran School in Paullina has strived for National Lutheran School Association (NLSA) accreditation. It has been a process that has undergone stops and starts through the years. But this start began in the fall of 2020 with a renewed effort. The accreditation is recognized by the State of Iowa and follows state guidelines.
The specialty accreditation by NLSA gives two primary assets to Zion-St. John. First, NLSA recognizes and gives credibility to the school for outreach. According the Dr. Jeff Schouten, Principal, “That means a lot.” He explained that with the NLSA accreditation it means that the school does everything expected by state and national standards to educate children. Second, the accreditation ensures maintenance of a high quality of education for all involved.
The areas of an NLSA accredited school evaluated are curriculum, community and leadership. Its outreach is analyzed and reinforced that correct choices are being made.
Schouten explained that everything about the school is evaluated from lunches to activities to the curriculum. Six professionals evaluated Zion-St. John on March 21 through March 23. The committee was made up of four current Lutheran school principals, a representative of Iowa District West (of Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) and the sixth committee member representing Iowa District East.
Zion-St. John submitted a 100 page report outlining their seven standards last fall to start the process. The committee this spring evaluated what was happening at Zion-St. John to what the report said was going on at the school. The committee interviewed over 40 people. A parent committee was interviewed as well as school board members, the principal, pastors and the school cook. A Likert scale was used to grade each standard. “We scored consistently in the upper half and met the national average on our first try,” said Schouten. Success on the first try is an accomplishment.
The school will undergo evaluations every five years. They are measured not just on the standards, but also on progress toward their school improvement plan over the five years.
As a result of earning accreditation the school will receive additional NLSA support as well as accountability. Follow through is important going forward. The facility is one of the benchmarks. Other benchmarks help with organizing the curriculum and updates.
The school has had some successful fundraisers through the year the assist with some of the improvement items noted. Additional playground space for preschoolers is at the top of that list along with additional fencing of the outdoor play space.
Dr. Schouten comes to Zion-St. John after receiving his Ph.D. in Education from Florida State. He earned his terminal degree by fulfilling two years of online coursework and he and his family spent a year in Tallahassee for him to complete his requirements. Dr. Schouten spent five years teaching at Sheldon Christian School and seventeen years at Dordt College where he taught and coached baseball. Describing his move to a principal’s position at a PK-8 private school he says, “I was looking for a change when this came up. I am enjoying this route.” Schouten is now working toward his endorsement for certification as a principal in Iowa.
Dr. Schouten is married to Liza. They have three children, Ryer who is a sophomore at Northwest Iowa Community College; Tanner, a senior at Unity Christian and Summer, a sixth grader at Orange City Christian. The family resides in Orange City.