BIDDEFORD — Changes at Biddeford High School are heading in the right direction, according to the regional association which provides accreditation for high schools and colleges.

The New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Inc.’s Commission on Public Secondary Schools sent a letter, dated May 17, to BHS Principal Britton Wolfe. The letter acknowledged the ongoing and significant progress that has been made at the high school, Wolfe told School Committee members on Tuesday.

Although the school was placed on warning status, and will continue to have that status at least until the school renovations are complete, Wolfe said he was pleased the commission recognized the progress the school has already made.

The school is still accredited by NEASC, but it has been on warning status since January 2006. Placement on warning status was made when the commission identified numerous concerns and areas where improvements need to be made. Areas identified as lacking at BHS ranged from curriculum issues to problems with the building.

The changes that have already been made at the school are exciting, said Wolfe.

“We are breaking new ground,” he said, in providing “scholarship on what things kids need to be successful in the global economy.”

In its letter to the Wolfe, the commission stated it was pleased with: The process used to revise the school’s vision and mission statements; the school’s revision of its academic, civic and social expectations; creation of new programs that resulted in increased attendance and student grades; providing laptop computers for students in grades 9 and 10; and steps taken to increase use of student-centered instructional practices.

Although he was pleased with the commission’s acknowledgment of improvements made at the school, said Wolfe, he was disappointed that the school remained on warning status.

He said he was told by commission officials that the school will continue to be on warning status until the renovations are complete ”“ a fact that was used to promote voter approval of a $32 million bond to renovate the school. Voters approved the bond at the November 2009 election and renovations began this summer, scheduled to be completed in time for the start of the 2012 school year.

The changes to the high school that will be made during the renovation are essential, said Ann Ashworth, the association director with the commission. Buildings that fulfill the needs of students and staff are important so teachers can deliver the curriculum, she said.

Some of the areas that were identified for improvement, said Ashworth, include safety within the building, enough classrooms to comfortably accommodate students and science labs that were fitted for 21st century learning.

In its letter to Wolfe, the commission also recommended several non-physical changes at the school.

The commission recommended that school officials develop a formal protocol for periodic reporting to students and parents of student progress and show how staff have implemented newly-developed school-wide rubrics. Rubrics are a type of measurement system so students know where they stand academically and areas where they need to improve.

The school is heading in the right direction, said Wolfe. He said he is excited for the renovations to be completed and to make other recommended improvements, so the school may finally be removed from warning status.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.