An introduction to Independent School Accreditation

Accreditation of an institution by NEASC indicates that it meets or exceeds standards and criteria for the assessment of institutional quality periodically applied through a peer group review process. An accredited school is one which 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.

The goals of NEASC Accreditation are effectiveness, improvement, and public assurance. Unlike popular websites, this does not involve comparing or ranking schools, but rather establishes a level of acceptable quality for all Accredited schools.

Accreditation has two faces: quality assurance and school improvement. Attention to the former has proved essential in defending the independence of schools and providing relief from external regulation. The primary function of NEASC Accreditation, however, is school improvement. Every independent school accredited by NEASC is assessed using the same protocols and materials, thus assuring that the school is faithful to its mission, conducts its programs appropriately to meet its goals, and fulfills the Standards for Accreditation established by the Commission on Independent Schools.