Professional Development News - Cognia Accreditation Update
Winter 2025 Newsletter
Since beginning our system-wide Cognia accreditation journey this fall, Catholic Community Schools has continued to deepen its focus on instructional excellence, leadership development, and meaningful support for educators across all schools.
To learn more about this work, read our earlier article, CCS Begins Cognia Accreditation Journey, which outlines the full accreditation process and its benefits for the school system.
Cognia Accreditation: What’s Happening Now
Cognia surveys have been distributed to staff and parents to gather feedback as part of the self-assessment phase of accreditation. Next, a Cognia Engagement Review team will visit Catholic Community Schools on February 11–12 to help identify school strengths, opportunities for growth, and ways to support continuous improvement and student success.
Leadership Development
Each school’s leadership team—principals and teacher leaders—has met twice this year, with another full-day session planned for February. Sessions focus on:
Exploring high-impact instructional strategies
Practicing questioning and discussion protocols to deepen student thinking
Reflecting on classroom practices and creating 45-day action plans
Strengthening skills to coach and support colleagues in implementing Marzano-aligned practices
Learning Labs & Collaborative Instruction
We have completed our K–5 Learning Labs and grade-level meetings, bringing teachers into each other’s classrooms for observation, reflection, planning and collaboration. These experiences reinforced a culture of shared learning and continuous professional growth.
Investing in Our Educators
At the heart of this work is a commitment to our educators and their vocation. Through professional development, leadership formation, and instructional support, Catholic Community Schools helps teachers grow in confidence, skill, and purpose.
