VENTURA : Adult School Earns 6-Year Accreditation

Ventura Adult School has received a six-year accreditation from the Western Assn. of Schools and Colleges, the group’s highest level of approval, officials said

The accreditation followed months of review of the adult school’s classes, personnel and goals by the association, a nationally recognized organization that evaluates schools in the western United States.

It is the first time Ventura Adult Education has gained a six-year accreditation on its own, said school spokeswoman Virginia Donnellan. In the past, it has “piggybacked” on the accreditation granted to Ventura High School, she said.

The recognition will make the adult school eligible for more state and federal grants, Donnellan said. And it makes a diploma from the school more valuable, she said.

“Colleges look to see if prior academic work comes from an accredited campus,” she said.