PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) announced today that 169 schools and school systems in 21 states, as well as Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and 36 other countries have earned accreditation or reaccreditation, the gold standard for measuring and advancing school improvement.
“Accreditation is a voluntary process that helps schools develop strategic plans, promote staff development and advance student achievement,” said Christian Talbot, president of MSA-CESS. “Middle States accredited schools are part of a powerful network of innovative and skilled educators from around the globe committed to preparing students to contribute to the common good, to be purposeful citizens, and to live fulfilling lives.”
Middle States accredits preK-12 public, private, parochial, and charter schools as well as 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 five Middle States Standards for Accreditation were redesigned in 2021. The five Standards are: foundations; governance and organization; student well-being; resources; and teaching and learning. Additional special purpose indicators are designed for specific programs or types of schools, or for areas not fully addressed in the Standards for Accreditation. The special purpose indicators are: online learning; early childhood education; faith-based schools; Pennsylvania schools; and boarding program.
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 in Philadelphia, Pa., this week.
A full list of schools and school systems that earned accreditation or reaccreditation is available here.
About Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)
Based in Philadelphia, the Middle States Association is the worldwide leader in accreditation and school improvement. Since 1887, Middle States has been helping school leaders establish and reach their goals, develop strategic plans, promote staff development, and advance student achievement. With more than 2,700 accredited schools and school systems in nearly 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and in over 110 countries, Middle States is proud of its continuing legacy and its ongoing innovations to meet the challenges of improving education in the 21st century. For more information visit www.msa-cess.org.
