OXFORD – Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School is in the process of renewing the accreditation it received eight years ago.

Principal Ted Moccia said both the high school and Oxford Hills Technical School received accreditation in 2000 after a joint effort. Vice Principal Jan Gauger said the process ensures that needs are met through quality education and that credits will be accepted when students transfer to other schools or go to college.

The process will be done by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Accreditation lasts for 10 years, with follow-ups after two years and five years.

“There will be a lot of recommendations and commendations as they go through it,” said David Mason, director of the technical school.

“It really makes you look at that long-term plan,” Moccia said.

The schools are planning to host a visit from an accreditation chairperson in the spring and fall of 2010, as well as a full accreditation committee in November 2010.

Costs to the district for accreditation include surveys, workshops, postage, hosting NEASC visitors, and post-evaluation fees. Moccia estimated that the process, which started in the fall of 2008 with surveys and assigning staff to committees, will cost about $20,000 in 2010.

SAD 17 Superintendent Mark Eastman said the accreditation is expensive in the year it takes place, but the value is returned over the decade the accreditation lasts. Eastman said approximately 85 percent of the high schools in the state are accredited.

“When they leave, they’re going to give you a good sense of where you are,” Moccia said of accreditation team members.