Manglares Receives Initial WASC Accreditation

Manglares Receives Initial Accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Manglares has been granted international accreditation!

[Cañas, Los Santos, Panama] - We are extremely pleased and proud to announce that Manglares Discovery School has been granted accreditation by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) through June 2028. This announcement was made after the school conducted a self-study of our operations, made significant internal audits and concrete changes, and hosted a visiting committee.

This recognition highlights Manglares’s ongoing commitment to nurturing curious, capable learners through an inquiry-based approach that values academic excellence, global responsibility, and environmental stewardship.

The WASC Visiting Committee was particularly impressed with MDS's:

✅ Unapologetic understanding of who we are and who we serve,

✅ High-quality school staff who apply culturally-responsive family engagement and clearly enjoy working at MDS to support student learning.

✅ Diverse instructional strategies that foster active student engagement

✅ Students deeply committed to rich experiential and co-curricular learning

✅ Inclusive, place-based curriculum with SEL, aligned to Common Core & international standards

✅ building a culture committed to equity and respectful culture, that encourages connections and communications among students, parents, and the school team.

In addition, the committee was supportive of Manglares Discovery School’s ongoing efforts to:

• strengthen literacy support for ELL and SpEd students,

• ensure consistent inquiry-based, cross-curricular instruction,

• increase student voice in schoolwide planning,

• improve policy communication and feedback systems,

• and apply data to measure progress and impact.

We will be receiving self-study training to review our evaluations and continue to work towards maximum impact to student learning.

WASC accreditation validates the integrity of our program and transcripts, ensures our goals are meaningful and met through a robust curriculum, and certifies that we are a trustworthy institution dedicated to continuous growth and student well-being.

This milestone is a reflection of the dedication, passion, and hard work of our professional community as we strive to meet the evolving needs of our students and families. Thank you for your continued support of Manglares Discovery School and involvement in the school community 💚

Yours in Learning,

Aya Osuga

Founding Officer

About WASC: The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is a globally respected accrediting body and one of six regional accrediting agencies recognized in the United States. WASC works in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Overseas Schools to support educational institutions around the world. Its accreditation process ensures schools meet rigorous standards of quality, integrity, and continuous improvement. WASC serves schools across California, Hawaii, and U.S. territories, as well as international schools throughout Latin America, Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.