| ABOUT US
WHO ARE WE?
The Commission on Secondary Schools is one of three
Commissions that function within Middle States Association of
Colleges and Schools. The others are the Commission on Higher
Education and the Commission on Elementary Schools. The Commission
on Secondary Schools serves both public and non-public schools in Delaware, Maryland,
New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia.
In addition, it accredits schools in the Caribbean as well as various locations around the world.
The Commission on Secondary Schools (CSS) was established in November 1920 to promote
the improvement of secondary education and to secure better
coordination and understanding between secondary schools and
institutions of higher education. It serves public and non-public middle, intermediate, and/or
secondary schools, non-degree granting vocational technical and postsecondary institutions, special
purpose schools, supplementary education centers, and distance education institutions. These
institutions may be ungraded or have designated grade levels, including a post-graduate level.
Institutions that serve students in a larger continuum (such
as a K-12 school or district) can elect to join CIWA (Committee
on Institution-Wide Accreditation), a bridging construct between
CSS and the Commission on Elementary Schools.
CSS members must be accredited institutions or candidates for accreditation. For more
information on this process, please visit our accreditation
section of this web site. A permanent staff housed primarily in the Middle
States offices in Philadelphia, PA, coordinates the work of
the Commission and its volunteers. Feel free to contact the
staff with further questions about the work of CSS.
A fact sheet of current statistical data is
available in PDF form for viewing and printing.
OUR MISSION
The Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools (MSCSS), the premier American
regional accreditation agency, is the leader in ensuring that all students in its
region receive the highest quality of education and achieve at levels expected by
society. Through its accreditation and school improvement services, MSCSS
recognizes excellence in educational quality, planning, and growth in student
performance and provides the means to meet rigorous standards of educational
quality.
OUR VISION OF EXCELLENCE
MSCSS will demonstrate that it is accomplishing its mission and that it is
the premier American regional accreditation agency when:
- All eligible institutions in its region are accredited or are seeking
accreditation by MSCSS.
- Every student in an MSCSS accredited school is achieving at the highest
levels of student performance.
- MSCSS's Standards for Accreditation are acknowledged as the most respected
standards of educational quality in the world.
- MSCSS's accreditation materials and school improvement services are recognized
as the most respected and effective motivators for institutions to attain the
highest levels of student and organizational performance.
- The value of membership in MSCSS, as an "organization of educators
for educators" is known throughout the world of education. MSCSS promotes
networking and professional development and provides unique opportunities for educators
to work with and for each other.
Adopted 2004
Also available: The CSS Strategic Plan
OTHER LINKS
What is accreditation? -
provides details about the process for accreditation, benefits
of accreditation, and policies that pertain to expectations
of accredited schools.
Staff - provides contact information
for the permanent staff operating out of the Philadelphia office,
shows who to contact for specific questions, and gives directions
to the office.
Governance - provides rosters
of various governance and advisory groups elected and/or appointed
by the membership or its representatives.
Fact Sheet - provides
current statistical data on CSS and its membership.
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