School Accreditation Documents

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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.

Coming Soon - Revised Accreditation Protocol! ACSI is in the process of revising the REACH accreditation protocol. The updated protocol will be titled Inspire: Inspiring Schools to Flourish through Accreditation. We have published the Standards of the new protocol, and the revised protocol will be implemented for accreditation visits starting with the fall 2023 semester. Schools hosting a visiting accreditation team prior to fall 2023 will continue to use REACH. View our progress, including the Standards, here: ACSI Inspire - Accreditation Revision Process. We will continue to add to that page as documents are created and finalized.

Accreditation Manuals

If you have interest in applying for ACSI Accreditation, please contact the appropriate Divisional Accreditation Team or complete our online inquiry form.

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

REACH EE Evidence Guide (5/15/19)

Accreditation Training Videos

Self-Study Forms and Documents

REACH 2019 Cert Spreadsheet (11/2/22)

REACH 2019 Cert Spreadsheet - Sample (11/2/22)

Certification Spreadsheet FAQ (6/13/22)
How Has Certification Become More Flexible? (5/30/19)

Certification Documents Webpage (this will direct you to the page with the application, CPoE checklist, requirements charts, etc.)

Continuous School Improvement Plan Template (PDF, 5/28/19)

Continuous School Improvement Plan Template (Excel)

Request for Faculty Waiver (if applicable)

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)

Information for Fulfilling Specific Indicators

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.

Standard 1

Indicators 1.1 & 5.2: "Portrait of a Graduate" Expected Student Outcomes - Webinar

Indicators 1.1 & 5.2: Expected Student Outcomes - Part 2: Assessment - Webinar (7/11/19)

Indicators 1.1 & 5.2: The Value of Expected Student Outcomes by Dr. Erin Wilcox

Standard 2

Indicator 2.4: Sample Conflict of Interest Policies - ECFA (4/26/19)

Indicator 2.4: Sample Conflict of Interest Policies (4/26/19)

Indicator 2.9: Options for Meeting Indicator 2.9 (10/8/2018)

Standard 3

Indicator 3.2: Conducting Demographic Assessments - Why is this Important? (7/9/19)

Indicators 3.6 and 8.1: FSCI and Accreditation - Use of Surveys (12/4/19)

Indicator 3.7: IRS Nondiscrimination Requirement (7/23/19)

Indicators 3.7 and 4.8: Nondiscrimination for Hiring (7/23/19)

Indicator 3.10: Student Records Retention

Standard 4

Standard 4 (General): Guidelines for Outside Contracted Teachers or Instructors (1/23/19)

Indicator 4.3: Definitions and Screening for Volunteers (8/12/19)

Indicators 4.4 & 4.6: How has Certification Become More Flexible? (5/30/19)

Indicator 4.7: School-Based Professional Development by L. Swaner

Standard 5

Indicators 5.1 & 5.2: Biblical Integration - Webinar (7/12/19) Access just the Slideshow

Indicator 5.2: Curriculum Overview by Dr. Erin Wilcox (7/13/19)

Indicator 5.2: Guidelines and Expectations for Instruction from Outside Sources (9/12/22)

Indicator 5.3: Guidelines for Teaching Bible (10/6/17)

Indicators 5.6, 5.7, and 5.8: The New Art and Science of Classroom Assessment Free webinar by Dr. Mike Ruyle, Marzano Research Associate (Marzano resources will be promoted)

Indicator 5.11: Guidelines for Defining Trained Staff in Library/Media

Standard 6

Indicator 6.1: Risk Alerts (provided by Church Mutual) (6/25/19)

Indicator 6.1: Armed Intruder Preparedness (provided by Church Mutual) (6/25/19)

Standard 7

Indicator 7.8: Spiritual Formation Assessment (1/20/2022)

Standard 8

Standard 8 (General): Strategic Plan or Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP)? by Dr. Steve Dill (10/31/18)

Standard 8 (General): Focus on the Process - Not Vocabulary: Why Distinguishing between Strategic Plans and Continuous School Improvement Plans (CSIP) is the Wrong Approach by Denver Daniel

Standard 8 (General): Strategic Plan/CSIP - Webinar

Post-Visit Forms and Documents

Evaluation of Visiting Team by Administrator (5/28/19)

Evaluation of Visiting Team by Administrator (online version)

Guidelines for Substantive Change in an Accredited School (3/14/22)

Substantive Change Notification Form

Statement of Financial Practice (5/28/19)

EE Accreditation Documents

Do you have questions about maintaining ACSI Accreditation for your EE program? Please review our ACSI EE FAQ Document.

ACSI is now recognized by the Department of Defense for the military fee assistance program. For information can be found here: Department of Defense.

Revised Standard 4 Indicators: During the summer of 2020, ACSI revised the Standard 4 Indicators related to both K-12 faculty/administration as well as EE Directors, teachers, and teacher assistants. Information on the new indicators can be found here: REACH 2019 Revised Standard 4 Indicators.

Documents marked

(S) - include in Self-Study
(A) - include in annual report
(I) - individual EE staff form

REACH Reference Guide for EE Documents (5/29/19)
EE Evidence Guide (S)
EE Yearly Professional Development and Biblical Studies Report (I) (5/29/19)
EE Annual Report Form (A) (6/27/2022)
EE Yearly Staff Profile (blank) (S) (A) (8/17/2021)
- EE Yearly Staff Profile Instructions (12/15/2021)
Options for Meeting Indicator 4.4a (10-2021) (I)
Options for Meeting Indicators 4.5a and 4.5b (10-2021) (I)
Professional Growth Plan Template 4.4a (I)
Professional Growth Plan Template 4.5a and 4.5b (I)
EE License Exempt Form (S) (5/29/19)
EE Background Screening Form (for license exempt programs) (S) (5/29/19)

Supporting Documents for EE

EE Age Group Ratio Guidelines (5/29/19)

EE Annual Staff Training Guidelines (5/29/19)

EE Curriculum Guide Mapping Sample

EE Curriculum Plan Information Sheet

EE Expected Learner Outcomes (5/29/19)

EE Early Educator Core Competencies (5/29/19)

EE Program Licensure Definitions (8/22/22)

Annual Report Documents

Click here for Annual Report Documents

Please contact the appropriate Divisional Office for more information.

View the ACSI Accreditation Training Videos

Please note: These and all REACH documents are the property of ACSI. ACSI grants permission for the use of these documents, in their published form, by ACSI member schools, and other Christian schools, for the purpose of ACSI accreditation and individual school improvement. These documents may not be incorporated into other accreditation instruments or used for personal or corporate gain. ACSI reserves the right to revoke permission of use at its discretion.