MEMBER SCHOOL DIRECTORY : Other Accreditors

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Dual Accreditation
Regional Accreditation

Dual Accreditation

Occasionally, a school finds it beneficial to be accredited by more than one agency. Although Middle States accreditation is the recognized regional process, schools with religious, specific geographical, or other affiliations sometimes wish to pursue a dual accreditation. The benefit of a dual accreditation is that the school, while having to meet the accreditation standards of both agenices, must conduct only one self-study, hosts a single visiting team, and has an accreditation term that is concurrent for both agencies.

Currently, the Commission on Secondary Schools has formalized agreements with the following organizations that stipulate the conditions under which a dual accreditation can occur. In some cases, a school has freedom to choose a protocol; in others the requirements are more stringent. In all cases, the school should contact Associate Director Steve Heft to ensure that all parties are aware of the school's desire to earn dual accreditation. Mr. Heft works with all CSS, CES, and CIWA schools who are seeking dual accreditation.

Please note: Postsecondary, non-degree granting institutions that wish to use their Middle States accreditation to establish eligibility for Title IV must use CSS as its lead agency and can only use the Middle States protocol approved for such purposes.

AMS - American Montessori Society
AMS offers accreditation for Montessori school members.

ACSI - Association of Christian Schools International
ACSI accredits Christian schools around the country. Accreditation is not required for membership.

AIMS - Association of Independent Maryland Schools
AIMS accredits private schools in Maryland and DC. Accreditation is required for membership.

CADIE - Comisión Acreditadora de Instituciones Educativas
CADIE accredits private schools in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

CIS - Council of Independent Schools
CIS serves international and overseas schools. Accreditation is not required for membership.

DETC - Distance Education and Training Council
DETC accredits institutions of all grade levels that use distance education as their primary teaching modality.

NJAIS - New Jersey Association of Independent Schools
NJAIS serves private schools in the state of New Jersey. Accreditation is not required for membership.

NYSAIS - New York State Association of Independent Schools
NYSAIS serves private schools in the state of New York. Accreditation is not required for membership.

PAIS - Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools
PAIS, formerly known as PAPAS, accredits private schools in the state of Pennsylvania.

Tri-State Consortium
A group of academically rigorous schools in the New York-Connecticut-New Jersey Tri-State area has developed an in-depth tool for evaluating schools. Membership is limited.

Regional Accreditation

There are six regional accrediting agencies. Each works with schools in different parts of the country and the world. For more information on protocols and individual contact information, please visit the website of the appropriate organization.

New England Association of Schools and Colleges
209 Burlington Road, Bedford, MA 01730-1433, Phone: 781-271-0022

North Central Association
Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, P.O. Box 874705, Tempe, AZ 85287-4705, Phone: 800-525-9517; FAX: 480-965-8658

Northwest Association of Accredited Schools
1510 Robert St. Suite 103, Boise, ID 83705 Phone: 208-493-5077

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, Phone: 404-679-4500

Western Association of Schools and Colleges
533 Airport Boulevard, Suite 200, Burlingame, CA 94010, Phone: 650-696-1060