Philadelphia, PA – The Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) announced that 275 schools and school systems across 25 states, the Virgin Islands, and 22 countries have earned accreditation or reaccreditation during the Spring 2026 accreditation cycle.
These actions reflect Middle States’ longstanding mission to uphold a rigorous, research-based standard for continuous school improvement, institutional effectiveness, and student learning.
“I am happy to congratulate the schools that achieved Middle States accreditation or reaccreditation. Accreditation is voluntary, professional peer review in service of school improvement. Pursuing accreditation helps the entire school community: administrators, teachers, parents, and students, to think about the future they want and how to get there. Earning accreditation shows that a school is committed to doing everything it can to support its students.”
—Christian Talbot, CEO/President MSA
First Accreditation — Individual Schools
A total of more than 90 individual schools earned initial accreditation following a comprehensive, multi-step evaluation of mission, instructional quality, student services, leadership capacity, and strategic improvement planning.
These institutions represent a wide range of educational models, including independent schools, faith-based schools, Montessori programs, virtual and hybrid learning environments, and international schools. Highlights from this cohort include schools from Lebanon, Morocco, Iraq, Spain, Korea, Ghana, Canada, Mauritius, and the United States, demonstrating MSA’s expanding global reach.
Reaccreditation — Individual Schools
More than 130 schools successfully completed the reaccreditation process, reaffirming their alignment with Middle States’ performance standards and their commitment to ongoing improvement.
This group includes long-standing MSA members as well as rapidly growing institutions in regions such as the Middle East, Europe, Africa, East Asia, and South America. Reaccredited schools span faith-based institutions, independent schools, Montessori programs, charter schools, and international schools across the globe.
System Accreditation
MSA-CESS also approved accreditation for multiple school systems, including Montessori networks, diocesan systems, special education organizations, and microschool networks.
Among this spring’s honorees:
- Apple Montessori Schools — Wayne, NJ, and 21 campuses across New Jersey
- Catholic Diocese of Arlington — Arlington, VA, including Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School, Bishop Ireton High School, Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School, and Saint Paul VI Catholic High School
- Diocese of Camden — Camden, NJ, including 25 regional Catholic schools across southern New Jersey
- Grafton School Inc — Winchester, VA, including campuses in Berryville, Midlothian, and Winchester
- KaiPod Learning Inc. — Boston, MA, including 12 microschool campuses across Texas
For a complete list of accredited schools and systems, visit here.
To learn more about the MSA-CESS accreditation process, visit www.msa-cess.org.
About Middle States Association (MSA-CESS)
Founded in 1887, the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) is a worldwide leader in accreditation and school improvement. MSA provides accreditation services to public, private, faith-based, charter, and international schools, as well as learning services providers and career and technical education programs.
Accreditation through MSA serves as a trusted framework that helps schools establish priorities, strengthen systems, and create long-term plans that support high achievement for all learners.
For more information, visit www.msa-cess.org.
