Accreditation
Matters
THE ACCREDITING COUNCIL OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS & COLLEGES
Independent International Accreditation
International Accreditation for Schools, Colleges, Universities & Educational Organizations
ACISC provides an independent framework for evaluating eligible educational institutions against defined standards, documented evidence, and quality-assurance principles.
A Structured Approach to Quality Assurance —
The ACISC Accreditation Process
ACISC's accreditation framework begins with an assessment of institutional eligibility and readiness. Institutions proceeding through accreditation are required to provide documentation and evidence relevant to the applicable standards and undergo evaluation as specified by the accreditation process.
International Accreditation. Stronger Institutions. Greater Confidence.
ACISC provides a structured accreditation framework for educational institutions committed to demonstrating institutional effectiveness, strengthening educational practice, and advancing continuous improvement through evidence and external evaluation.
A Structured Framework for Institutional Quality and Continuous Improvement
Institutional accreditation provides a structured way for educational institutions to examine their policies, practices, evidence, outcomes, and priorities against defined accreditation expectations.
ACISC brings together institutional self-study, evidence development, external evaluation, review, decision-making, and continuing attention to improvement within a defined accreditation framework.
Defined Standards
Institutions work with applicable accreditation criteria and expectations that provide a structured reference point for institutional review and evidence development.
Review StandardsEvidence & Self-Study
The accreditation journey requires institutions to examine their systems, policies, practices, evidence, outcomes, and future priorities through structured self-evaluation.
Explore Self-StudyExternal Evaluation
External evaluation provides an additional perspective on institutional evidence and engagement with applicable accreditation expectations.
Learn About EvaluationA Clear Pathway from Eligibility to Continuing Accreditation
ACISC accreditation is a structured institutional journey involving preparation, evidence, evaluation, review, formal decision-making, and continuing responsibilities.
Eligibility
Determine whether your institution is eligible to enter the accreditation process.
Learn MoreApplication
Begin the formal application process and establish the foundation for institutional review.
ApplySelf-Study
Develop institutional evidence and undertake a structured examination of your institution.
Self-StudyEvaluation
Engage with external evaluation focused on institutional evidence and accreditation expectations.
EvaluationReview
Evaluation findings and institutional responses proceed through the applicable review structures.
Review ProcessDecision
The accreditation decision is considered through the established ACISC decision-making process.
Council DecisionContinuing Accreditation
Accreditation continues through ongoing institutional attention to quality, evidence, and improvement.
Maintain AccreditationResources for Institutions and the People They Serve
ACISC provides accreditation information and resources for educational institutions as well as students, parents, universities, consultants, and other stakeholders seeking to understand institutional quality and accreditation status.
Schools
Explore accreditation, school membership, safeguarding, mental health and well-being, professional development, and institutional resources.
For SchoolsHigher Education
Access information and resources relevant to colleges, universities, institutional development, student support, and higher education membership.
For Higher EducationStudents & Parents
Understand accreditation, explore institutional information, and access resources designed to support informed educational decisions.
Students & ParentsUnderstand. Verify. Make Informed Decisions.
Accreditation information can be important to institutions, students, parents, universities, partners, and other external stakeholders. ACISC provides resources to help visitors understand accreditation status and access relevant institutional information.
Public accreditation information should always be understood in relation to the institution, the accreditation decision, and the applicable scope of accreditation.
Explore Accreditation Status
Review institutional accreditation information, understand status and scope, and explore recent accreditation actions.
Status & Scope Recent Accreditation Actions Understanding RecognitionAccreditation as a Structured Opportunity for Institutional Development
Institutional accreditation can provide a structured opportunity for educational institutions to examine how they operate, evaluate evidence, identify priorities, and strengthen systems that support their educational mission.
Institutional Effectiveness
Examine how institutional systems, policies, practices, outcomes, and planning contribute to the institution's educational mission.
Evidence-Based Reflection
Use institutional evidence and structured self-study to understand strengths, priorities, challenges, and opportunities for development.
External Perspective
Engage with external evaluation as an additional perspective on institutional evidence and accreditation expectations.
Continuous Improvement
Use the accreditation experience to support ongoing institutional reflection, planning, development, and quality improvement.
Credibility Through Process, Evidence and Accountability
ACISC's institutional accreditation approach is supported by defined expectations, evidence, external evaluation, review structures, formal decision-making, governance, independence, transparency, and continuing institutional responsibilities.
Governance
Understand the governance structures and responsibilities that support the ACISC accreditation system.
Governance & IndependenceIndependence
Explore the role of independence in supporting objective institutional evaluation and accountability.
Explore IndependenceTransparency
Access information about transparency, accountability, public information, and institutional accreditation processes.
View TransparencyClear Information for Institutions and Stakeholders
Accreditation can involve terminology and distinctions that matter. ACISC provides dedicated information to help visitors understand what accreditation represents and how it relates to institutional status and other forms of authorization or recognition.
What Accreditation Means
Understand the purpose of institutional accreditation, what the process evaluates, and what an accreditation status represents.
Learn MoreRecognition & Scope
Understand the distinction between accreditation, recognition, authorization, licensing, and other forms of institutional or governmental status.
Understand RecognitionWhy Accreditation Matters
Explore why structured institutional accreditation can matter for quality assurance, institutional effectiveness, transparency, and continuous improvement.
Why Accreditation MattersAccreditation Information That Supports Informed Decisions
Students and parents may encounter accreditation information when researching educational institutions. Understanding what accreditation represents, how institutional status is determined, and where to verify information can support more informed educational decisions.
ACISC provides resources to help students, parents, and other stakeholders understand accreditation and access relevant institutional information.
Looking for an Institution?
Explore accredited institutions and use ACISC's verification resources to understand available accreditation information.
Find the Information You Need
Whether you are considering accreditation, reviewing an institution's status, looking for stakeholder resources, or exploring ACISC's services and activities, the website provides dedicated pathways for different audiences.
Institutions
Explore accreditation, standards, eligibility, applications, evaluation, review, decisions, and continuing accreditation.
Explore InstitutionsServices & Development
Discover membership, professional development, networking, research, training, student recruitment, and supporting services.
Explore ServicesResources
Access information on safeguarding, student well-being, global citizenship, research, accountability, and institutional development.
Explore ResourcesReady to Explore Institutional Accreditation?
Start by understanding the accreditation framework, reviewing the applicable criteria, determining eligibility, and learning how the accreditation journey progresses from application through continuing accreditation.
INSTITUTIONS
Verify accreditation, view institutional notes, and review historical information on current and past ACISC™ member institutions.
RECENT ACTIONS
Find summaries of recent and historical accreditation actions, including applicable sanctions, conditions, and designations, published through ACISC's official records.
OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
ACISC’s strategic priorities guide our commitment to educational quality, institutional integrity, student well-being, independent accreditation, and continuous improvement.
PUBLIC COMMENT
File a third-party comment before an institutional comprehensive evaluation, and ACISC™ will forward that public input to the evaluation team and the institution.
Supporting Educational Quality Across International Contexts
ACISC supports institutions in strengthening educational quality, institutional effectiveness, continuous improvement, and responsible educational practice within their respective national and international contexts.
ACISC accreditation is an independent quality-assurance process. It does not replace or supersede applicable governmental authorization, licensing, regulatory approval, or other legal requirements.
