MIDDLE STATES ANNOUNCES 201 SCHOOLS EARN ACCREDITATION, RE-ACCREDITATION!

The Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) announced today that 201 schools and school systems in 24 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and 21 other countries have earned accreditation or re-accreditation, the gold standard for measuring and advancing school improvement.

“Schools that undertake the accreditation process share a commitment to continuous growth and improvement and to ensuring their students have access to a high-quality education,” said Henry Cram, Ed.D., interim president of MSA-CESS. “I commend our newly accredited and re-accredited schools for their commitment and congratulate them on their success.”

Middle States accredits preK-12 public, private, parochial, and charter schools. In addition, MSA-CESS accredits non-degree granting career and technical post-secondary institutions and learning services providers.

Middle States accreditation is a multifaceted evaluation process that schools and school systems voluntarily use to demonstrate they are meeting a defined set of research-based performance standards.

The 12 Middle States Standards for Accreditation are: mission; governance and leadership; school improvement planning; finances; facilities; school organization and staff; health and safety; educational program; assessment and evidence of student learning; student services; student life and activities, and information resources.

The accreditation process begins with a self-study that is conducted by the school or school system and requires input from school leaders, teachers, parents and students. Following the self-study, a team of volunteer educators from Middle States member schools conducts a peer review.

The peer review team makes its recommendation for accreditation or reaccreditation to the Middle States Association Commissions, which voted on the recommendations at its biannual meeting, held virtually, this week.

A full list of schools and school systems that earned accreditation or reaccreditation is available here.