NEASC Commission on Independent Schools
Q&A Independent School Accreditation
Independent School Accreditation
Questions and Answers
For general questions about NEASC and Accreditation please visit the main FAQ page. For questions related to your specific school's accreditation status or process, please send us an email at cis@neasc.org.
How can I get information about a school’s accreditation status and/or copies of its accreditation reports?
A school’s accreditation status is listed in the Directory of Schools. Accreditation reports and correspondence are the property of the school and are released by the school at its discretion. For more details, please refer to the NEASC Policy on "Release of Information by NEASC".
Do the New England states recognize NEASC Accreditation?
Yes. All of the New England states recognize NEASC Accreditation of independent schools as part of their school approval process.
Does NEASC collaborate with any other accrediting agencies?
Yes. NEASC has established partnerships with other agencies to provide joint accreditation pathways for schools when appropriate. These collaborations support the goals of the schools while reducing duplicate effort and streamlining the process for all involved. Representatives from both organizations work together on visiting teams for schools seeking joint accreditation, and the priorities and areas of focus of both associations are embedded into the process.
- American Montessori Society (AMS)
- Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA)
- Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS)
- Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)
Can an online school obtain NEASC accreditation?
Yes. As educational models have shifted, NEASC has adjusted to meet the accreditation needs of online schools. Online schools follow the ACE Learning pathway for NEASC accreditation, a framework that is well suited to the innovative world of online learning. Online schools must meet the same Foundation Standards as brick-and-mortar schools, but in a contextually appropriate way.
NEASC considers applications from online schools who:
- have been fully operational for at least two full years
- offer a full-time educational experience to students via an online experience
- function as a learning community where relationships between stakeholders are strong
- are able to benefit from the NEASC accreditation process including a rigorous Internal Reflection process
- are legally authorized to operate as an online school in the headquarters location
- offer an English-Medium curriculum that is publicly accessible for students from a variety of countries
If your online school is interested in NEASC accreditation, the first step is to set up a call to discuss the school’s eligibility to apply. Contact gedwards@neasc.org.