Accreditation

Overview

In general, independent elementary and secondary schools in the U.S. are accredited by regional and/or state accrediting associations. Accreditation is a system of accountability that is ongoing, voluntary, and comprehensive in scope. It respects differences in institutional populations, missions, and cultures, and fosters institutional change grounded in the judgment of practicing educators. It is based on standards, which are developed and regularly reviewed by the member institutions and which define the characteristics of good schools and colleges.

Accreditation of a school indicates that it meets or exceeds standards and criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied through a peer group process. An accredited school is one that has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation. Accreditation, which has a multi-year validation, involves a periodic self-study and an evaluation visit to the school by a committee of peers.

For its own membership purposes, NAIS requires accreditation by an NAIS approved accrediting body. To learn more about accrediting associations and their review processes, please click on the links below.

NAIS Commission on Accreditation

The NAIS Commission on Accreditation was established by the NAIS board of trustees in 2001 in response to requests from several independent school state and regional accrediting associations; it convened for the first time in 2002. The commission’s work is intended to assure the quality of independent school accrediting programs. The board charged the commission to develop criteria for effective independent school accreditation practices, exemplary standards, and models of successful accreditation policies and procedures; to engage in research to inform accreditation practice; and to promote, through advocacy efforts, public understanding of and credibility for independent school accrediting programs.

The commission, which is guided by operating protocols, is comprised of 19 members from NAIS independent school accrediting associations, two at-large members, and two NAIS board members. It meets twice a year, with committee work conducted as needed. There are four standing committees: Organizational Issues, Policy, and Emerging Issues.

The member associations of the commission are accountable to one another through a process patterned on the independent school accreditation model. Over the course of a 10-year cycle, associations will prepare a self-study demonstrating compliance with the Criteria for Effective Independent School Accreditation Practices; the criteria provide common ground for member associations by delineating best practices, policies, and procedures. In addition, associations will use the Model Core Standards — a set of “ideal” standards — in assessing their own, host a visit from peers on the commission, receive recommendations from the commission, and engage in follow-up activities designed to improve the accreditation process. As with school accreditation, this will serve two purposes: institutional improvement and quality assurance.

Resources

Searching for additional resources on accreditation? Enter “accreditation” in the Quick Search box (upper left corner of each NAIS web page) for access to helpful materials.

State, Regional, and International Independent School Accrediting Associations that Are Members of the NAIS Commission on Accreditation

Regional Accrediting Associations Serving Public and Private Schools in the U.S. and American Schools Abroad

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSACS), Commission on Secondary Schools and Commission on Elementary Schools
New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCACS)
Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)