ATHOL -- Athol High School's accreditation has been fully restored.

Principal Kent Strong received a call from Charlie McCarthy, the associate director of the New England Association of School and Colleges (NEASC) Thursday, announcing AHS has been taken off of probation and accreditation has been fully restored with no further conditions imposed.

The school had been placed on "warning" status six years ago and four years ago placed on "probation," where it remained until NEASC voted in November of 2006 to proceed with removal of accreditation. The reason was due to a laundry list of recommendations to address NEASC's concerns -- all things that had been piling up over the years that had not been addressed because of budget constraints.

The district appealed the decision and each item on the list was resolved, including providing a state-of-the art media center/library, new computers and software, and expanded nurse's suite and guidance area. The final piece is the completion of the guidance suite. The Financial Advisory Board and the school committee voted last week to fund that renovation, and that project is under way.

"On behalf of the Athol-Royalston School District, I am overjoyed," said superintendent Anthony Polito, "I feel this should send a strong message that people ought to remain at Athol High School."

In October 2007 following a review, the NEASC commended the school for numerous positive actions taken toward rectifying the issues and removed AHS from probation for the standards areas of curriculum, instruction and school resources for learning. However, AHS remained on probation for the standard for accreditation on community resources for learning.

A progress report due May 1, required description of actions taken on NEASC's final recommendations.

The school previously received positive commendations for the following areas:

* the close alignment between the school's curricula and the Mass. Curriculum Frameworks

* the substantial progress in the replacement of blackboards with whiteboards and Smartboards

* the recycling of older computers to provide Internet access to individual classrooms

* the renovation of the new science lab with the full range of appropriate equipment and safety features

* the relocation of the art classroom to the reclaimed technology education area, thereby freeing the old art classroom for other needed uses

* the success of the school in improving MCAS scores and in meeting/exceeding annual yearly progress (AYP) targets

* the successful adoption of a new software program to enhance the scheduling and student management processes and to provide easy database access to guidance counselors when adjusting student schedules

* the maintenance of class sizes within acceptable parameters for almost all departments

* the design and dedication of area for small group meetings, the school psychologist, and for programs for students with special needs

* the relocation of the library to a more spacious and accommodating area as part of the redesign of the old and underutilized technology education area, supported in great measure by the Boynton Foundation grant

* the provision of additional space to the nurse's office to ensure sufficient and appropriate areas to ensure privacy and confidentiality

* the funding of the full-time librarian position

* the provision of potable water in the school water bubblers

* the replacement of floor tiles in the school stairwells

* the establishment of three computer labs as part of a three-year lease/purchase agreement

* the successful attempts at securing funding and/or grants from the Boynton Foundation, the Department of Education, the finance and capital planning committees of the district's member towns, and the respective town meetings

* the increased level of participation, cooperation, and communication evident between and among the various town/school governing bodies

* the commitment to procedures and programs that enhance the spirit of cooperation between decision makers within the school community such as the contracting with coaches for the superintendent and the school board, the establishment of a community based district planning committee, and the engagement of a facilitator to guide the activities that will lead to the development of a joint strategic plan.

The May report used by the commission to ascertain the district's status required the satisfaction of the following:

* verify the relocation of the remaining library materials and the installation of library furniture in the space allocated for new library/media center.

* verify the completion of the conversion of the technology education area to an art studio including the provision of appropriate furniture and the installation of the kiln and exhaust hood.

* report on the status of the school's statement of interest submitted to the Massachusetts School Board Authority

* assess and report on the ability of the proposed budget for 2008-09 to meet the identified needs of the school

* verify that the newly installed control system has remedied the heating and ventilation issues at AHS.

The official letter from NEASC is expected next week.