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Association of Christian Schools International / ACSI / Accreditation & Certification / Accreditation Documents

Additional Resources


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.

 

Accreditation Manuals & Handbooks

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 School Handbook

ACSI Inspire Team/Chair Handbook

Standards & Indicators Checklist (printable/fillable; 2023)

Standards and Indicators Checklist (online version; 2023)

Accreditation Training Videos

Required Resources

Self-Study Tools

Inspire Self-Study Report Template
-  SAMPLE Self-Study Report

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)

Helpful Resources

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

Evidence Guide

Guidelines for Substantive Change in Accredited Schools

Reflective Questions

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)

Succession Planning and Leadership Development (Standard 12)

Resources Domain

Safety Resources (provided by Church Mutual) (Standard 16)

Well-Being Domain

Armed Intruder Preparedness (provided by Church Mutual) (Standard 18)

Flourishing Alignment
Visiting Team Documents
Post-Visit Forms and Documents

Accreditation Team Visit Evaluation Form (online version)

Guidelines for Substantive Change in an Accredited School

Substantive Change Notification Form
    ** If you are dually accredited, please check with your Divisional office first to see if you need to complete a separate form!

 

EE Accreditation 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.

Inspire EE Addendum

Supporting Documents for EE

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.

Exemplary Accreditation

Overview

ACSI Exemplary Accreditation was designed for high performing schools who are seeking to be held to higher standards for all programs and operations. Exemplary schools are expected to effectively meet the Inspire standards and indicators at a high level as well as the modified and additional indicators contained within the Exemplary Addendum.

Inspire Exemplary Addendum

In addition to simply meeting the indicators at an effective or highly effective level, the school must have a demonstrable history of exemplary programs and practices in governance, executive leadership, school viability, academic instruction, student learning, spiritual formation, and overall school culture (a vibrant, Christ-centered ethos among students, faculty, and leadership). The school must demonstrate a commitment to ongoing school improvement, evidenced by stakeholder feedback, multiple forms of data, and past accreditation reports to drive successful school improvement initiatives. Schools that are approved for Exemplary status will have an additional annual fee in conjunction with the regular accreditation annual fee. For any additional questions, please contact Jamie Canterbury (Director of Accreditation, USA).

Process

Schools desiring to use the Exemplary Addendum in conjunction with the Inspire process to attain Exemplary Accreditation must first be approved by the Office of Accreditation and Credentialing (this does not apply to schools renewing Exemplary Accreditation). Approval requires:
  1. Submission of the Exemplary accreditation application and fee (which includes the school’s preliminary self-assessment with the addendum components as well as the school’s most recent accreditation visiting team report(s))
  2. Recommendation by the divisional accreditation director for the school to pursue Exemplary accreditation (the Office of Accreditation and Credentialing will obtain this recommendation upon receipt of the application)
  3. A meeting with the Office of Accreditation and Credentialing to review and approve the school’s application

ACSI Exemplary Accredited Schools

Briarcrest Christian School - Eads, TN

Calvary Christian Academy- Fort Lauderdale, FL
Christian Academy School System - Louisville, KY
Covenant Christian High School - Indianapolis, IN
Dalat International School - Penang, Malaysia
Delaware County Christian School - Newtown Square, PA
Evangelical Christian School - Cordova, TN
First Presbyterian Day School - Macon, GA

GRACE Christian School – Raleigh, NC
Grace Community School - Tyler, TX
Lexington Christian Academy - Lexington, MA
Northwest Christian School - Phoenix, AZ
Prestonwood Christian Academy - Plano, TX
Silverdale Baptist Academy - Chattanooga, TN
Southside Christian School - Simpsonville, SC
The First Academy - Orlando, FL
Valley Christian School - San Jose, CA
Valor Christian High School - Highlands Ranch, CO

Wesleyan Christian Academy - High Point, NC
Additional Addendum Documents

Inspire Early Education Addendum (more documents are located in the tab above "EE Accreditation Documents")

Inspire Online Addendum

Inspire ISP Addendum

Inspire Hybrid Addendum

Inspire Residential Addendum

Tips for Residential Team Chairs & Team Members

Tips for Residential Coordinators

SAMPLE Residential Philosophy Statements

 

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 Documents

Annual Report for Schools* (For REACH & Inspire Schools 2023)

Candidacy Annual Report* (if applicable) (2023)

Certification Spreadsheet - Blank (2023)

       Certification Spreadsheet - Sample (2023)

Certification Spreadsheet FAQ 

Certification Spreadsheet- Auxiliary Positions (Who DOES & DOES NOT need to be on the Spreadsheet)

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

REACH & ePlatform Documents

ACSI Inspire Accreditation: Central Christian School from ACSI on Vimeo.

Accreditation Timeline Graphic FINAL by Content Team

Please note: These and all Inspire as well as 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.