Springdale Preparatory School has officially earned the RAIL (Responsible AI in Learning) endorsement in AI Literacy, Safety & Ethics from the Middle States Association Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools.

Designed to help independent and private schools "stay safe and stay ahead" in an era of rapid technological advancement, the RAIL endorsement recognizes educational institutions that proactively establish rigorous frameworks for integrating generative artificial intelligence. As one of the inaugural "Founding Fifty" schools selected for the RAIL program, Springdale Preparatory School serves as a pathfinder for institutions worldwide seeking to balance AI innovation with human-centered values.

MSA-CESS evaluates a school across five critical operational layers: Culture & Identity, Governance, Infrastructure, Program and Practices. To satisfy the endorsement requirements, Springdale Prep delivered comprehensive evidence demonstrating excellence in each domain:

• Culture & Identity: Alignment of AI governance with the school's mission, vision, values, "Portrait of a Graduate" and "Profile of a Teacher”
• Governance: Implementation of clear generative AI policy statements in student and employee handbooks, supported by targeted change and marketing strategies
• Infrastructure: Assignment of designated AI organizational leads and updated role descriptions
• Program: Execution of a structured organizational change plan and outreach initiative
• Practices: Verification of team-wide AI literacy supported by ongoing training, materials and resources

"This designation is the direct result of an intensive six-month effort across our administrative team to rethink how artificial intelligence intersects with student learning, ethics and digital citizenship," said Dr. Gerald Boarman, Head of School at Springdale Preparatory School. "Earning this endorsement means our community isn't just adapting to the future, we are actively shaping it.”

About Springdale Preparatory School

Located in New Windsor, Md., Springdale Preparatory School is a premier day and boarding school serving students in grades six through 12. Springdale Prep offers an individualized, globally-focused curriculum designed to empower students to thrive academically, ethically and socially.

About MSA-CESS

The Middle States Association Commission on Secondary Schools is an accrediting agency for certain secondary and post-secondary non-degree granting schools located inside or outside the United States, including but not limited to its states, commonwealths and territories.