CAMBRIDGE AND CHESNUT HIGH SCHOOLS EARN WASC ACCREDITATION
Coalinga-Huron Unified School District is proud to announce that Cambridge High School and Chesnut High School earned accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) in May 2026. This accreditation was granted for a period of three years. The accreditation was awarded during the 2025–2026 school year and represents an important milestone for both alternative education schools.
Under the leadership of Principal Claudia Vosburg, Cambridge and Chesnut completed a comprehensive accreditation process that included an extensive review of their instructional programs, student-support systems, school operations, achievement data, and plans for continuous improvement. Faculty, staff, students, families, district leaders, and community partners contributed evidence and feedback throughout the process.
“This accreditation recognizes the dedication of our entire alternative education team,” said Principal Claudia Vosburg. “Our staff members have worked intentionally to create safe, flexible, and student-centered schools where students receive rigorous instruction, individualized support, and meaningful opportunities to prepare for life after high school. Most importantly, WASC accreditation affirms that Cambridge and Chesnut are committed to serving students well today while continually improving for the students who will come after them.”
WHY WASC ACCREDITATION MATTERS
WASC accreditation is a recognized indicator of educational quality and institutional integrity. Accredited schools participate in a rigorous process of self-evaluation, evidence review, goal setting, and external evaluation. According to ACS WASC, accreditation provides assurance that a school is focused on student learning, meets established expectations for quality, and remains committed to ongoing improvement.
For current and future students at Cambridge and Chesnut, WASC accreditation means:
• Their schools have been evaluated using established standards for educational quality.
• Their academic programs, instructional practices, and student-support systems have undergone an external review.
• Their schools are committed to regularly examining student outcomes and making improvements based on evidence.
• Their coursework and transcripts come from accredited institutions, providing additional confidence to colleges, employers, training programs, families, and community partners.
• Future students will benefit from the goals, systems, and improvement plans developed through the accreditation process.
A SCHOOLWIDE COMMITMENT TO STUDENT SUCCESS
The accreditation reflects the schools’ commitment to providing more than an alternative pathway to graduation. Cambridge and Chesnut offer students personalized education plans, small learning environments, targeted academic interventions, credit-recovery opportunities, college and career preparation, leadership experiences, and social-emotional support.
The schools’ work is guided by the CHUSD Alternative Education RISE values: Respect, Improve, Succeed, and Engage. These values support a culture in which students are encouraged to overcome challenges, take responsibility for their learning, build confidence, and prepare for college, career, and civic life.
Earning WASC accreditation was a collaborative accomplishment. Teachers and support staff strengthened instructional and intervention systems, students shared their experiences and goals, families and community partners offered valuable input, and district leadership supported the schools throughout the process.
Principal Vosburg commented, "Accreditation is not the end of the work. It gives us a strong foundation and a clear direction as we continue strengthening instruction, expanding opportunities, and helping every student build a successful future."
Cambridge High School and Chesnut High School will continue implementing their WASC improvement plans, monitoring student progress, and building programs that respond to the academic, personal, and career needs of alternative education students.
The May 2026 accreditation of Cambridge and Chesnut High Schools is both a celebration of the progress already made and a commitment to continued growth for generations of CHUSD students.