Applications and Fees

• Traditional Accreditation (REACH)
• Early Education Stand Alone Accreditation
• Steps Toward Achieving Recognition (STAR)
• Apply for Boarding Application
• Accreditation by School Progress (ASP)
• Fee Structure Table

Applying for REACH 

Before applying for accreditation, the school should carefully review the accreditation commitments, standards, and process. Meeting accreditation commitments and standards and completing the self-study require a strong commitment by the governing body, faculty, and staff.  REACH term length is 5 years. However, if applying for dual accreditation there may be a different term length based upon ACSI's agreement with the other accreditation agency. Contact regional officesfor additional information.

The following steps outline the application process:

The accreditation application and pre-candidacy checklist may be obtained from your ACSI regional office or from this page. 

The completed application, checklist,indemnification agreement form and applicable attachments should be returned to the regional office, along with the application fee and a copy of the governing body minutes indicating approval for the school to pursue accreditation with ACSI. International schools should apply through the ACSI International Ministries office in Colorado Springs.

Elementary and/or secondary schools that may or may not include early education classrooms may wish to undergo a joint accreditation with ACSI and another accrediting agency. ACSI does have cooperative accreditation agreements with all regional agencies. If a school desires to proceed with a joint accreditation plan, a statement to that effect, which also names the other accrediting agency, should be included in the initial letter of inquiry that the school sends to the ACSI regional office in its area.

Application must be made separately to each accreditation agency involved. It is recommended that schools request that ACSI be the lead agency in these dual accreditation processes.

It should be noted that a joint accreditation may require an alteration of some of the processes described in this document, especially relating to the appointment of the chairperson of the visiting committee and the length of the accreditation term.

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Applying for STAR

Designed to assist non-accredited ACSI member schools with a formal process of school improvement that will lead schools toward recognition and possibly toward accreditation with ACSI.

Access the application and more information about this program in the STAR overview section of the ACSI website.

Applying for Boarding Accreditation

The application for boarding program accreditation is separate from school accreditation. A separate team visits the school or hostel. The fee is $600 per term of accreditation.

The boarding accreditation application form is available here or in the Boarding Home Accreditation Manual (Overseas Edition) from Purposeful Design Publications. This manual is the main document for the ACSI accreditation process for schools with a resident program or schools supported by a resident program.

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Applying for ASP

Accreditation by School Progress (ASP) is a protocol for reaccreditation through institutional action research, involving the entire school community in an improvement process. The components of ASP involve research, selection, planning, implementation, and peer review during a repeating five-year cycle. It includes some of the traditional accreditation process elements yet allows the school to devote its energies to one or several school improvement areas.

The projects identified in the school improvement plan (SIP) must contribute to the school’s effectiveness in meeting the needs of the students. Academic effectiveness as measured by improved student achievement must be included as part of the improvement plan outcomes. Only schools currently accredited may apply for ASP.
 

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 Fee Structure

Fees are in addition to maintaining annual membership with the Association.
  
Note: The candidacy period covers three years for the application fee. Additional year(s), if needed, requires an additional $200 fee.

Note 2: Foreign National programs/schools contact your continent representative for application and fee information.
 

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