Accreditation & Certification
Accreditation with ACSI engages schools in a vigorous, holistic process of organizational appraisal and improvement that engages every school constituent. Our program is a highly regarded Christian program for member schools. We have partnerships with all of the U.S. regional accreditation agencies and offer joint accreditation with numerous accrediting organizations.
Every step in our accreditation process is designed to be useful for driving improvement in private schools. If you are striving for excellence based on a solid Christian philosophy of education, consider exploring our program.
The purpose of ACSI Certification is to strengthen Christian schools by credentialing educators who meet established professional and biblical requirements. ACSI Certification promotes continued professional learning and increased effectiveness. Establishing and maintaining the certification of staff and administration is an essential step toward professional credibility and growth. Education is a process. Just as we encourage our students to grow and become life–long learners, we want to set the same example as their teachers and leaders.
ACSI certification establishes a framework for professional growth to occur over time, just like continuous school improvement.
ACSI Remains Committed to Strategic Vision for 2030, Expanding Access to Christian Education to Hundreds of Children Globally
Colorado Springs, CO– The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is continuing the course of its strategic plan, casting a vision for 2030. The plan will position ACSI to provide more children with access to Christian education globally while strengthening the organization’s missional partnerships with other top-performing companies to better resource schools worldwide.
ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor shared the foundational work that shaped this vision.
“In 2018, ACSI leadership embarked on creating a strategic plan, ultimately resulting in three foundational pillars of Advance, Access and Advocacy,” he said. “We are seeking God's direction on how we could go deeper between now and 2030. We have diligently spent 18 months in prayer and having critical conversations with our senior leaders. These conversations have resulted in the creation of four new growth initiatives to hone this God-sized vision into tangible, Christ-honoring tactics.”
The four new growth initiatives include: New Fields for Ministry—positioning ACSI to serve newly ripened fields of opportunity for children to access Christ-centered education; Missional Partnerships—connecting ACSI with other organizations to leverage resources for a greater missional impact; Educational Resources & Programs—addressing the need for high-quality, biblically based educational resources and programs across the world; and Teacher and Leader Pipeline—addressing the current worldwide teacher shortage, as well as meeting future needs for more credentialed teachers and qualified leaders who are biblically trained for educational ministry.
Taylor also referenced staff organizational changes designed to support Vision 2030.
“We are not only focused on equipping our educators,” he said. “But we are committed to partnering with other leading organizations and ministries who can come alongside our schools with the tools they need to navigate an ever-changing educational terrain.”
ACSI Senior Director of the Eastern Division Chuck Gilliam’s role will expand to oversee strategic alliances. This will allow the organization to align with like-minded entities that are already specialized and established in their respective ministry fields, better serving Christian schools worldwide.
In addition, several staff members will oversee new responsibilities as well.
Susan Verheul, ACSI’s former Director of Finance and Controller, has been named Vice President of Executive Initiatives. In her new role, she will oversee global projects and business development models.
John Shook, ACSI’s former Senior IT Network Administrator, will now serve as Director of IT Infrastructure. Jamie Canterbury, formerly a Division Director of Accreditation, has been named ACSI Director of Accreditation, USA. Gavin Bretteny, ACSI Associate Vice President of Global Strategic Development, will now serve as ACSI Vice President of Global.
“It’s exciting to see what the Lord is doing in and through ACSI,” Taylor said. “We will continue serving our schools to the best of our ability. These organizational changes are key in moving ACSI towards our vision for 2030 as we grow, expand, and serve the diverse needs of our schools.”
To learn more about Vision 2030, visit the website.
About ACSI:
Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, ACSI exists to strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators worldwide as they prepare students academically and inspire them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ. ACSI advances excellence in Christian schools by enhancing the professional and personal development of Christian educators and providing vital support functions for Christian schools through multiple services including teacher and administrator certification, school accreditation, legal/legislative assistance, and curriculum publishing. Serving more than 25,000 schools in 108 countries, ACSI helps more than 5.5 million students worldwide connect to Christian education.
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