Your Child is in an Accredited School

How Your School Became Accredited…

First, The Self-Study

The Commission believes students benefit from being in a school that knows itself thoroughly.

The first step is a year-long, soul-searching self-study. It begins with a philosophy of education and a description and analysis of the school community. This is followed by an appraisal of the school's offerings and a self-evaluation of the school's organization, personnel, facilities, and materials of instruction.

Through the self-study the school discovers if it has what is needed to fulfill the promises offered by its philosophy. It also acquires the self-knowledge needed to plan with confidence.

Then, An Objective Evaluation

The Commission believes students benefit when their school undergoes objective evaluation.

Having completed a successful self-study, the school is evaluated by a team of recognized evaluators named by the Commission.

The evaluators, who have no prior relationship with the school or its sponsoring authority, verify the findings of the self-study and during a three-day on-site visit, offer evaluative judgments of their own.

Followed By An Action Plan

The Commission believes students benefit from being in a school that constantly strives for improvement.

At the time of its objective evaluation or shortly thereafter, the school is requested to provide a plan for its further development and improvement.

And, Finally, Accreditation

The Commission believes students benefit if their school continues to be actively involved with other quality schools both to improve themselves and participate in the national movement to improve education.

Accreditation is granted by the Commission if the self-study, evaluation, and planning reports reveal that the school meets the standards for accreditation. Accreditation is normally granted for a period of ten years. During this time, through networking with other quality schools, periodic progress reporting, and participation in other Commission-sponsored school improvement events, accredited schools work toward their own improvement and the improvement of other schools.

Your Accredited School Has Met Standards For…

• Defining appropriate educational goals and providing educational programs to achieve them;
• Maintaining a qualified faculty and an effective school organization;
• Assessing outcomes of school experiences and controlling the quality of educational programs;
• Responding to concerns of parents and needs of the school community;
• Providing for the continuity of its programs and planning for their future;
• Describing with accuracy the content of its services and programs.

Characteristics Of An Accredited School…

• It is devoted to a mission. It cares enough about what it does to seek validation by a recognized accreditation authority.
• It knows itself. The school operates from an examined vision of service to students, family and community.
• It keeps its promises. An accredited school promises only what it can deliver.
• It accepts objective evaluation. Outside evaluators who have no prior involvement with the school or its sponsoring authority provide periodic evaluation.
• It is recognized. Schools accredited by the Commission are listed as accredited schools in a registry available throughout the world.
• It is self-correcting. Accredited schools demonstrate a capacity to control their own quality.
• It is student-oriented. Its philosophy of education must express what it does for the whole student.
• It plans for its future. An accredited school continuously has plans that include strategies for anticipated events and goals toward even higher levels of quality.
• It examines outcomes. Accredited schools continuously obtain and analyze objective evidence on student achievement and growth.
• It participates in the responsibilities of the academic profession. Accredited schools participate in the self-renewing activity of evaluation and accreditation.
  

The standards are established by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and administered by the Commission on Elementary Schools, one of three accreditation authorities under the auspices of the Middle States Association. The other two are the Commission on Secondary Schools and the Commission on Higher Education. The Middle States Association was established by the academic profession in 1887 to set standards for American education. It is a non-profit corporation. Originally chartered by the New York Board of Regents it is presently registered as such by the State of Delaware. It serves Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and certain regions overseas. It is a member of the Board of the International Council of School Accreditation Commissions, Inc. (ICSAC), and participates in the accreditation protocols of the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA).

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