Every 10 years, schools throughout Maryland must renew their license to be able to issue diplomas. This school year, 2024-2025, is the 10-year marker for JC to have the self-study renewed.

Assistant Principal of Academics, Danica Attanasio explained how AIMS is JC’s accreditation.  This process is a chance for the school to reflect on how it is doing and look for ways to continue to improve.

AIMS is the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools, and they will be conducting the accreditation visit.  There will also be a representative from Middle States on the visiting team.

“We always encourage the need to improve and be the best we can be. We do self-study, and that is where we reflect on all areas from facilities to administration,” said Mrs. Attanasio.

She explained that once the self-study is conducted, JC will submit it to AIMS, and a team of educators from an AIMS school, which is normally in Washington D.C or Baltimore, comes for a three-day visit.

Once they are at JC, they complete the study by talking to students, teachers, administrators, and more. Once AIMS gives the approval, John Carroll will wait another 10 years.

Although it is a 10-year span, there is a smaller self-study that takes place every five years. This allows for JC to remember that in another five years, they will have a full study soon.

Following the visit in April, the visiting team will share their full report with the school.

“As a school we will then write an Action Plan that strategically responds to the recommendations made by the visiting team,” said Mrs. Attanasio.  “Overall, AIMS is a good way for us reflect on our past 10 years and see how we can improve in the following years.”