Membership and Accreditation

As you begin researching schools, you’ll notice that many will claim membership in state, regional and national associations. In addition, some will identify themselves as having achieved accreditation by one or more organizations. While having membership and/or accreditation signify that a school is part of a larger educational community, accreditation goes one step further by showing that a school has undergone a rigorous review process. Let’s look at membership and accreditation in further detail.

Membership

A school might be a member of a voluntary membership organization such as the National Association for Independent Schools (NAIS) or the National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES). These types of memberships have varying degrees of criteria that schools must meet, from simply completing an application and paying a fee to a more rigorous process that might include an accreditation process from the organization itself or from an approved affiliate or partner organization.

The benefits for the schools in becoming members in these associations include access to resources, programs and research tools specifically focused on issues that schools address. Many associations also provide professional development and networking opportunities for faculty and staff at member schools.

Accreditation

Accreditation is a highly prized designation that a school earns by undergoing an rigorous review process based upon high, uniform standards set by the accrediting body of peer schools. Achieving accreditation demonstrates to the larger community that the school strives for standards of educational excellence in both program and implementation of that program.

Achieving accredited status is not a permanent designation. Schools maintain their accreditation by undergoing reviews every few years to show their continued growth and development as an institution.

A sampling of the organizations that provide accreditation to schools includes the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

For families who are researching schools, accreditation is analogous to a stamp of approval. It validates the integrity of a school’s program as well as the credibility of  student transcripts to future educational institutions. In addition, you are assured that the school’s mission is being accomplished through a viable educational program.

Links to More Information

California Association of Independent Schools
http://www.caisca.org

National Association of Episcopal Schools
http://www.episcopalschools.org/

National Association of Independent Schools
http://www.nais.org

RAVSAK: The Jewish Community Day School Network
http://www.ravsak.org/

Western Association of Schools and Colleges
http://www.acswasc.org/