U.S. School Accreditation Policy Information

In the United States, K–12 educational institutions may be accredited by recognized regional, national, or specialized accrediting agencies. Accreditation signifies that a school has successfully completed a comprehensive external review process and meets established standards related to curriculum, governance, instructional quality, student services, and continuous institutional improvement.

Accreditation status is used as an indicator of institutional quality and compliance with recognized U.S. educational standards.

Recognized Accrediting Organizations

The following organizations are recognized accrediting bodies for K–12 institutions:

Regional Accrediting Agencies

• U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA)
  Accredits Department of Defense schools serving military-connected students worldwide.

• Cognia (formerly AdvancED)
  An international accrediting organization serving public and private institutions.

• Middle States Association (MSA)
  Accredits institutions in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
  Accredits institutions in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
  Accredits institutions in California, Hawaii, Guam, and other U.S. territories.

• Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC)
  Accredits institutions in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

• North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI)
  A division of Cognia serving institutions primarily in the North Central region.

National and Specialized Accrediting Agencies

• Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
  Accredits Christian educational institutions.

• Christian Schools International (CSI)
  Accredits Christian schools.

• American Montessori Society (AMS)
  Accredits Montessori institutions.

• National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA)
  Accredits Lutheran schools.

Accreditation Recognition

Accreditation by one of the above-recognized agencies is generally accepted as evidence that an institution meets established educational standards within the United States.

Institutions that are not accredited by a recognized agency may be subject to additional review or documentation requirements.