Ephrata High School earns six-year accreditation through 2032

EPHRATA — Ephrata High School has secured a six-year accreditation through spring 2032, the longest term available through the Association of Educational Service Districts, following what school leaders describe as a detailed, yearlong review focused on student success, school culture and continuous improvement. 

The accreditation, announced by the Ephrata School District, affirms that the high school meets established standards in academic instruction, student support systems and community engagement, while demonstrating a commitment to long-term growth and accountability. 

For Superintendent Ken Murray, the designation reflects the collective work of students, staff and families. 

“This accreditation reflects the student-centered work happening every day at Ephrata High School,” Murray said in a statement. “Our students, staff and families should be proud of this achievement.” 

Principal Ashlie Miller said the accreditation process required the school to undergo a multi-phase evaluation that closely examines both systems and outcomes. 

“It’s a very extensive process,” Miller said. “You have to show not only what systems you have in place but also provide evidence that you are actually doing what you say you’re doing.” 

The AESD framework includes six phases, beginning with readiness indicators – such as leadership structures and decision-making processes – and moving through data collection, analysis and implementation of improvement plans. 

Miller said much of the work centered on building a strong, collaborative system for school improvement, including the creation of 11 school improvement teams made up of staff members across the building. 

Unlike traditional committee structures, the model ensured broad participation. 

“I wanted every single staff member involved,” she said. “It spreads out the work, but it also creates ownership. When people are part of the process, they’re more invested in the outcomes.” 

The process also required evidence of community engagement. While participation varied, Miller said the school made efforts to include students, families and staff in shaping improvement goals. 

“The goal is that it’s not just the principal’s plan, it’s the community’s plan,” she said. 

A key element of the accreditation review was the school’s use of data to identify challenges and guide interventions. 

At Ephrata High School, that work is organized through a multi-tiered systems of support approach, which categorizes students based on their academic performance, attendance and behavior. The goal is to identify students who may need additional support early and intervene before challenges escalate. 

“We look at everything from grades to attendance to behavior patterns,” Miller said. “That allows teams to identify which students need help and what kind of support will make the biggest difference.” 

The school pays particular attention to disparities among student groups, including multilingual learners and students from low-income households, to ensure equity in outcomes. 

“That’s where the real work comes in,” Miller said. “If you can identify where certain groups are struggling, you can start asking why and building targeted supports.” 

One of the most prominent initiatives highlighted during the accreditation review was the school’s “Tiger Days” program, which the panel specifically commended. 

Held twice a month, Tiger Days replaces the traditional daily schedule with a flexible format focused on academic support, enrichment and student engagement. 

Instead of attending regular classes, students participate in a mix of interventions – such as tutoring or test makeup sessions – and enrichment opportunities, including clubs, activities and skill-building workshops. 

The model is designed to remove barriers that often prevent students from accessing help. 

“Transportation, jobs, family responsibilities – those are all things that can keep students from getting support after school,” Miller said. “Tiger Days bring that time into the school day, so every student has access.” 

The program also allows for more individualized attention. 

“What students really need is one-on-one time with teachers, and this allows that to happen,” she said. 

In addition to academic support, Tiger Days incorporate incentive-based elements, such as extended lunch privileges for students who maintain strong attendance, behavior, and academic standing. 

Miller said the program has also had an unexpected impact on school culture, helping students and staff build stronger relationships. 

“We’re seeing students connect with teachers and peers they wouldn’t normally interact with,” she said. “It’s created a stronger sense of community across the school.” 

As part of the accreditation process, an external review team conducted a site visit, interviewing dozens of students, staff and parents to assess whether the school’s systems and goals were widely understood. 

Miller said the feedback from those interviews was especially encouraging. 

“They noted how rare it is to see such a clear, shared understanding of a school’s improvement plan,” she said. “Students, staff and parents all understood what we’re doing and why.” 

That alignment played a critical role in earning the full six-year accreditation term.Although the school has achieved the maximum accreditation period, the work is ongoing. Ephrata High School will undergo a required progress review in 2029 and continue refining its practices in the meantime. 

Miller said the accreditation process has helped shape the school’s path forward. 

“This gave us the opportunity to reflect on what we’ve built and where we want to go next,” she said. “We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, but we’re also focused on how we continue to grow.” 

Future plans include expanding enrichment opportunities, increasing community partnerships and exploring additional ways to engage students through programs like Tiger Days. 

“We’re just getting started,” Miller said. “The goal is always to keep improving and make sure every student has what they need to succeed.”

    Ephrata High School Principal Ashlie Miller said she is proud of the work that was accomplished this year, but the high school is just getting started. “The goal is always to keep improving and make sure every student has what they need to succeed,” Miller said.