
Accreditation Documents
Additional Resources
Please note: In order for these documents to work correctly, please save the blank document to your desktop before you start working on them. Once you have saved the blank document you will be able to fill it, re-save it, and all work will be there when you open it. Since you will be submitting these as attached files via email, please ensure they are filled out completely and saved correctly before sending.
We are pleased to announce our finalized ACSI Inspire accreditation protocol. The revision process took several years and included research, drafting and revision, multiple stages of feedback, and pilot school visits. The new protocol aligns with ACSI's Flourishing Schools research. With Inspire, we are moving away from a 'compliance-based' protocol into a more reflective and collaborative process for schools and visiting teams.
If you have interest in applying for ACSI Accreditation, please contact the appropriate Divisional Accreditation Team or complete our online inquiry form.
ACSI Inspire Standards Manual (2023)
ACSI Inspire Team/Chair Handbook
Standards & Indicators Checklist (printable/fillable; 2023)
Standards and Indicators Checklist (online version; 2023)
Self-Study Tools
Inspire Self-Study Report Template
Purpose Domain
Guidelines & Requirements for Governance (Standard 3)
Teaching and Learning Domain
Guidelines & Expectations for Instruction from Outside Sources (Standard 7)
Guidelines for Outside Contracted Teachers (Standards 7 and 12)
Expertise Domain
Standard 11 Checklist (Standard 11)
IRS Nondiscrimination Requirements (Standard 11)
Definitions and Screening for Volunteers (Standard 11)
Meeting Indicator 12.2 (school leadership and faculty qualifications) (Standard 12)
Certification Spreadsheet (Standard 12) (2023)
Certification Spreadsheet - Sample (2023)
Certification Spreadsheet FAQ (2023)
Certification Documents Webpage (for more information on CPoE checklist, requirements charts, etc.)
Request for Faculty Waiver (Standard 12; if applicable)
Resources Domain
Meeting Indicator 14.3 (requirements for financial review/audit) (Standard 14)
Please note: Several of the resources below are provided by, or link directly to, organizations outside of ACSI. These resources are intended to assist schools in thinking through various aspects of appropriate ways to comply with specific standards and indicators in ACSI’s accreditation protocol. The presence of these resources on this page does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of any outside organization, or an endorsement of any external links provided by the outside organizations.
General
Guidelines for Substantive Change in Accredited Schools
Self-Study Tools
School Indicator Ratings Spreadsheet
Purpose Domain
Assessment of Expected Student Outcomes (Standard 1)
The Value of Expected Student Outcomes (Standard 1)
Spiritual Formation Assessment (Standards 1 and 2)
Sample Conflict of Interest Policies (provided by ECFA) (Standards 3 and 11)
Sample Conflict of Interest Policies (provided by Nonprofit Risk Management Center) (Standards 3 and 11)
Relationships Domain
Conducting Demographic Assessments (Standard 5)
FSCI and Accreditation (Standard 5)
Guidelines for Survey Administration, Analysis, and Application (Standard 5)
Teaching and Learning Domain
Guidelines for Teaching Bible (Standard 7)
Resource for Curriculum Review (Standard 8)
Guidelines for Assessment Data Collection, Analysis, and Application (Standard 9)
The New Art and Science of Classroom Assessment Free webinar by Dr. Mike Ruyle, Marzano Research Associate (Marzano resources will be promoted) (Standard 9)
School-Based Professional Development (Standard 10)
Expertise Domain
Student Records Retention (Standard 11)
Policy Manual Guidelines (Standards 11 and 12)
Nondiscrimination for Hiring (Standard 12)
Resources Domain
Safety Resources (provided by Church Mutual) (Standard 16)
Well-Being Domain
Armed Intruder Preparedness (provided by Church Mutual) (Standard 18)
Pre-Visit Documents
Team Member Application Form (Online Form)
Values and Ethics Statement for Team Members (Online Form)
Visit Documents
Team Indicator Ratings Spreadsheet
Post-Visit Documents
ACSI is now recognized by the Department of Defense for the military fee assistance program. For information can be found here: Department of Defense.
Supporting Documents for EE
- EE Yearly Staff Profile (blank)(2023)
EE Yearly Staff Profile Instructions (2021) - EE Statement of Practice for Non-Licensed Programs (2023)
- EE Staff Qualifications
- EE Administrator Growth Plan
- EE Educator Growth Plan
- Annual PD Report for EE
- Best Practices in Early Education
Schools that will use the Inspire EE Addendum in the fall of 2023 or Spring of 2024 can use the EE Self-Study Template Below:
You can also contact your Division's Accreditation Director for additional information or assistance.
Please note: Use of an ACSI alternate accreditation protocol, endorsement protocol, or addendum may require ACSI to add visiting team members with specialized training, knowledge, or experience that would need to travel from a greater distance than team members on a typical visiting team. Reasonable travel expenses would need to be accounted for accordingly and reimbursed by the school.
Annual Report for Schools* (For REACH & Inspire Schools 2023)
Candidacy Annual Report* (if applicable) (2023)
Certification Spreadsheet - Blank (2023)
Certification Spreadsheet - Sample (2023)
Certification Overview Webpage (this will direct you to the page with the application instructions, CPoE checklist, requirements charts, etc.)
Request for Faculty Waiver (if applicable)
Substantive Change Notification Form (if applicable)
Guidelines for Substantive Change in Accredited Schools
ASP Annual Report Form (2023); if applicable - only for those schools currently engaged in the Accreditation by School Progress protocol for renewal of accreditation
Annual Report Documents for EE Standalone Schools
Annual Report Form (2023)
Candidacy Annual Report Form (2023)
EE Yearly Staff Profile (2023)
EE Yearly Staff Profile Instructions (Inspire Updated Version to come)
Inspire EE Administrator Growth Plan
Inspire EE Educator Growth Plan
REACH EE Director Professional Growth Plan (Options for meeting REACH Indicator 4.4a)
REACH EE Teacher/Teacher Assistant Professional Growth Plan (Options for Meeting Indicators 4.5a and 4.5b)
REACH Documents:
ACSI Standards Manual (7/26/21)
ACSI Rubrics Manual (7/26/21)
REACH School Administrator Handbook (7/12/19)
Printable/Fillable REACH Standards Checklist (8/10/21)
Digital REACH Standards Checklist
Indicator Ratings Spreadsheet for EE-12 Schools(5/15/19)
Indicator Ratings Spreadsheet for K-12 Schools (5/15/19)
Indicator Ratings Spreadsheet for International Schools (5/15/19)
Indicator Ratings Spreadsheet for EE Standalone Schools (5/15/19)
ePlatform Documents:
Self-Study Report Template (to guide completion in Word prior to entering information on the ePlatform) (1/14/2022)
"Sample Christian School" Self-Study (12/2019)
Formatting a School Report (1/14/2022)
Quick Reference Guide to Self-Study on ePlatform (1/14/2022)