Accreditation for School Improvement
Why seek ACCS Accreditation?
The ACCS offers the only accreditation specifically for classical Christian schools. ACCS accreditation is a school-improvement program that provides an evaluation of a school and its practices to encourage stability, quality, and a measure of excellence.
Accredited members meet our foundational standards for a classical Christian school. Schools often make improvements during the initial stage as they prepare documentation to demonstrate compliance. After ACCS staff validate the self-study documentation, a visit committee is identified with members from other ACCS-accredited schools. The on-site visit provides school administrators with an opportunity to build relationships with other administrators facing similar issues. Unlike other accrediting agencies, we verify the classical nature of the school’s teaching so that it reaches a foundational set of requirements.
Candidacy is a Partnership
Once schools are approved for candidacy status, ACCS becomes a partner to the school. ACCS and the school will work together to see that the school understands and is prepared for each step of the accreditation process. Candidate schools are welcome and encouraged to check with the ACCS Director of Accreditation as they work through the accreditation process. He may also refer you to headmasters at other ACCS accredited schools who will also assist in answering your questions or who may be able to provide you with examples to help you as you work toward accreditation. You may also want to consider, as circumstances permit, observing an accreditation visit at another ACCS school. This would need to be coordinated through the Director of Accreditation and paid for by the candidate school.
The Process
While the ACCS accreditation process follows a familiar pattern of self-study followed by an on-site visit, the focus of this process is carefully targeted at the most important elements of successful schools.
Step 1: Apply to become an accreditation candidate.
Prerequisite: Active ACCS Membership
Step 2: Complete your self-study.
Prerequisite: Approved Candidate for Accreditation
Candidate schools receive instruction helpful to complete their self-study. Schools have up to one year to complete the self-study.
Step 3: Host an Accreditation Committee Visit.
Prerequisite: Self-study has been reviewed and approved
Step 4: Decision on Accreditation.
Prerequisite: Draft accreditation report reviewed by school
An ad-hoc committee will review the draft accreditation report and school’s response to the report. Initial accreditation may be awarded for up to two years.
State Recognition
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| Oklahoma Private School Accreditation Commission | Virginia Council on Private Education | Texas Private School Accreditation Commission |
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| Tennessee State Board of Education | Georgia Private School Accreditation Council |
ACCS accreditation is permitted in all states in which we operate. However, the following state-dependent limitations may be a relevant consideration for parents in a few states:
- Transferring students from ACCS schools into public k-12 schools may be more difficult in some cases.
- Sports leagues and extra-curriculurs may be more limited for ACCS accredited schools.
- Colleges scholarships which require a state-certified diploma may be impacted. College admission is generally not affected, but may be in rare cases. Several colleges offer exclusive ACCS scholarships and many others specifically seek ACCS graduates.
ACCS accreditation is specifically recognized in states that have private entities for private school accreditation, including: Georgia, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Virginia.
Why is independence so important? We encourage you to read our statement on independent accreditation.
Accreditation Standards
ACCS accreditation measures how well schools are consistently implementing a classical Christian philosophy of education throughout the entire school organization from school board oversight to classroom pedagogy, including:
- Student participation, conduct, and development.
- Staff training.
- Parent-teacher relations.
- Operational and financial policies.
- Community support.
- The overall spiritual demeanor in the school classrooms.
- The integration of Scripture throughout their schools curricula.
- Conformity with classical Christian methods in their classrooms.
The Accreditation Standards booklet outlines the basic standards for the ACCS accreditation program.
Download the Standards:
ACCS Accreditation Standards and Program (PDF)
Note: For the application and other materials required for ACCS accreditation, request the Handbook below. Page numbers in the standards document reflect pages excerpted from the complete Handbook.
Accreditation Handbook
The Accreditation Handbook contains all of the information necessary for schools deciding whether or not to seek accreditation.
Request the Accreditation Handbook
Note: This online handbook might not reflect recent changes to policies or procedures.
More Information
Contact the Director of Accreditation for more information or any questions about ACCS school accreditation or teacher certification.