How to Start a New Accreditation School
Accreditation is a voluntary method by which a school assures students that it has reached and maintains a certain level of educational quality. To obtain accreditation, your school needs to adhere to a set of standards set forth by the AdvancED standards process for schools. AdvancED is a group of accrediting agencies representing 27,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States. If you believe your school meets these standards, you can request an evaluation. Accreditation shows the quality standards in your school, but it also is necessary if you seek any type of state funding.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Contact AdvancED and fill out an application to be considered for the accreditation process (see "Resources" below).
-
2
Read and make sure you understand the "Advanced Accreditation Standards for Quality Schools" at the AdvancED website (see "Resources"). These are the criteria by which the organization will judge your school. Accreditation is good for five years, provided you maintain the standards and adhere to the process.
-
-
3
Maintain the "Advanced Accreditation Standards for Quality Schools" throughout the school year and engage in self evaluation and keep records of those evaluations. Regularly update school demographic and contact information. Contact AdvancED if you are concerned that your school cannot meet standards for any reason.
-
4
Complete an electronic report and submit it to AdvancED. This will happen after your school has been in operation for a year or more, and six months before you're ready for the review. The report will show, among other things, that your school has continually sought to implement betterment programs and that all criteria in the "Advanced Accreditation Standards for Quality Schools" have been met.
-
5
Choose staff members to meet with the AdvancED team and show them your facility. Gather all the records you've kept throughout the year showing the improvements your school has made and have these documents ready for the AdvancED team. Show the team around the school and allow them complete access to classrooms and other activities. Allow them to interview staff members. Listen to all suggestions the AdvancED team makes during the process.
-
6
Take action on any suggestions and changes the AdvancED team recommends. This typically happens within a month of the review. AdvancED will notify you of your accreditation status. If your school receives accreditation, you must continue the process of self-evaluation and improvement during the five-year period.
-
1
