Accreditation Benefits

Headmasters at accredited schools regularly report that the accreditation process initiates changes that improve their individual schools. During the self-study, observation, and review process, schools put together documents and resources and improve their processes in ways that will serve them well for years to come. Accreditation also initiates a long-term relationship which brings both accountability and support. While the external benefits of accreditation are also very important, this is the #1 benefit reported by our accredited schools.

ACCS Accreditation opens doors for your school through partnerships with three national and international accrediting organizations: the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA), the Middle States Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS – cooperative option), and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC – cooperative option). A number of state and regional organizations also recognize ACCS Accreditation and provide approval for school choice funding, credibility for college acceptance, and other benefits. Click here to learn more about ACCS Accreditation recognition.

ACCS-accredited schools stand out within the classical community. In addition to accreditation language on the school’s own website, we promote accredited schools by highlighting them on our School Finder, a webpage which is visited by over 100,000 families each year as they look for a classical Christian school for their children.

ACCS accredits schools that serve various combinations of grades: K-12, K-6, K-8, 7-12, and 9-12. We work with schools with different approaches to classical Christian education: from collaborative models, to online schools, to those with special needs programs. We have a plan and vision to work with schools where they are, to help them make the changes they need and overcome the obstacles they face. ACCS understands the history of the classical Christian movement; we were there to help build a path forward for our first schools, and we are committed to building as many pathways as necessary to enable Christian parents to join us in the renewal of classical Christian education going forward.

The ACCS Accreditation program provides objective, calibrated, and recognized standards of quality and health, giving boards and administrators clear and actionable strategies to help them serve Christ in their classical Christian school. Scroll down the page or click this link to learn more about our standards for classical methods, Christian commitment, and organizational stability. 

Certain states require proof of accreditation in order to provide the option for school choice funding. ACCS-accredited schools in those states (listed below) have access to this option thanks to their accreditation with us. (Note: Other states may not be listed here if recognition is not required for schools to participate in these funding programs.)

– Alabama
– Arkansas
– Idaho
– Indiana
– Iowa
– Missouri
– Oklahoma
– Tennessee

ACCS Accreditation for K-12 schools comes with ACCS Diploma Authorization. When parents choose an ACCS-accredited school, they are assured that the school meets certain standards of excellence for their operational practices and that the school graduates students who have completed a classical Christian course of study. As with other schools that practice a particular academic form – International Baccalaureate, Accelerated Christian Education, Waldorf, or Montessori schools for example – another qualification is necessary. In the case of ACCS, we use diploma authorization to help parents and colleges know that we have reviewed the school’s classical Christian program and classrooms and we found them to meet classical Christian standards. Once accredited, ACCS schools offer diplomas that are authorized to bear the seal, “The ACCS authorizes this diploma under our standards for a Classical Christian course of study.”

ACCS Accreditation opens a path of growth for your teachers through teacher certification. ACCS Teacher Certification was established to enable teachers who demonstrate philosophical understanding and competent teaching skills to acquire a long-term independent record of that accomplishment with ACCS, as well as a certificate of achievement for each level of proficiency attained. Teacher certification takes place under the supervision of an administrator at an ACCS-accredited school. Schools can add certified teachers to the database and receive certificates through the Member Resource Center (MRC).

Knowing that their child’s school has met outside standards is an encouragement to parents.  Many parents and colleges seek out ACCS-accredited schools, and several colleges even offer exclusive scholarships to ACCS alumni.

Hear testimonials, review the accreditation process, and learn about state recognition of ACCS Accreditation.