Universal School of Lebanon

The New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Inc.
Commission on American & International Schools Abroad
209 Burlington Road, Bedford, MA 01730 USA

July 17, 2009
Universal School of Lebanon
POBox 2654
Bterra, El-Koura,
Lebanon
The Commission on American and International Schools (CAISA) of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) considered the Visiting Team Report submitted by Ken Imperato and Ted Scontras subsequent to the Team Visit to Universal School of Lebanon on April 25-May 1, 2009, and voted to recommend to the NEASC Board of Trustees that it award initial accreditation in NEASC to Universal School of Lebanon. The Board of Trustees has approved CAISA’s recommendation and the School is now accredited by NEASC. Congratulations!
CAISA and the Visiting Team were impressed with a number of elements of the School, and would like to commend:

• The nurturing learning environment at USL that is reflected by teacher attention to the needs of individual learners, the existence of a positive climate and supportive school community culture, the respectful and articulate student body, the positive parent perceptions of the school, and the strong leadership of the principal.
• The enormous growth and expansion of the school and its resiliency despite war, challenging economic times, internal tensions within the country, and the resulting fallout of such conditions on the school and its constituent groups.
• The school’s immediacy of response to concerns noted at the time of the Preliminary Visit and during the Team Visit.
• The stability of the school and its capacity to move forward as reflected by its solid financial footing, the existence of a strategic plan which includes Visiting Team findings, and the collaborative working relationship between the Board and the Director.
• The Board of Trustees and the administration for the range of student abilities it admits and serves.
• The entire school community for its commitment to the school’s mission and beliefs.
• The administration, teachers and staff for maintaining a true open door policy at all grade levels that is recognized by both parents and students as a major strength of the school.

Warm wishes,

B. W. Woodward, Jr.
 Director, CAISA