REACH: Accreditation Manual for EE–12 North American and International Schools has been developed as a new model for accreditation. The document includes comprehensive declarations of quality procedures and practices that should exist in schools and early education programs (schools/programs) that are striving to achieve superior performance and strong effectiveness based on educational research and quality practices from a distinctively Christian perspective.

The manual includes the standards and indicators for all ages that a school/program may serve. All ten standards apply to each level, grades EE–12. Some indicators apply to a specific age group that your school/program may not serve. In an effort to be comprehensive, indicators are included that span a broad range of school age levels.

Each standard has a set of corresponding indicators, a rationale/impact statement, and rubrics. The indicators are descriptions of exemplary practices, processes, and procedures that would be seen in educational programs that are highly effective in meeting the standards. They provide greater clarity of quality practices for each standard. The rationale/impact statement describes what would be observable and supportable in an educational entity that is effectively putting the standard into practice. The rubrics have been developed to assist the school/program in a self-evaluating process to determine compliance with the standards.

The standards, rationale/impact statements, indicators, and rubrics are meant to be viewed as an entire entity and not stand-alone pieces to be met in isolation. Each has an impact on the other, and each plays a major part in the overall effectiveness for educational improvement and student growth, as well as for program improvement and development of the whole child. This tool addresses the unique needs of both K–12 schools and early education programs, and can be purchased today!

The manuals can be purchased through our customer services department at customerservices@acsi.org by ordering catalog item #3028.

ACSI accreditation is a process—a self-study and analysis, a comparison to established standards, an assessment of a school’s mission, a commitment to quality education, and a willingness to be accountable. Christian schools can use all of these components of the process to reach toward their goal of excellence in education.

The ACSI accreditation programs are for preschool, elementary, and secondary schools. Recognized at the national level as well as by many regional and state accrediting agencies, these programs provide a comprehensive evaluation model for Christian schools. The ACSI accreditation program was one of the first programs to be officially recognized by the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA).

Here is what some administrators have said about ACSI accreditation:

“I cannot think of any action taken by a school that produces more total school benefit than the decision to attain accredited status. Curriculum quality is strengthened, school policies are refined, student achievement enhanced, and future directions strengthened. Without accreditation the attainment of overall excellence for a Christian school is difficult.”

Ken Tanis – Delaware Christian Schools (Pennsylvania)


“Children, teachers, parents, and whole communities benefit from accreditation because it raises the bar of excellence for Christian schools. It gives real clear benchmarks for our schools to reach standards that will make them outstanding Christian educational institutions. Anything worthwhile can be difficult, but it is always well worth the effort when you see the benefits! Schools of excellence are schools that accept the challenge of the accreditation process.”

Patricia Watters – Administrator


“The self-study process of accreditation that schools go through provides the greatest benefit and is the key to school excellence. When you have all of your school’s constituency contributing to the process, you bring into focus the areas that can be examined and improved to make your school outstanding and pleasing to God.”

Dr. Larry Daugherty – Maranatha Academy (Kansas)

ACSI is here to assist your school with the accreditation process and with the challenges you face as you begin the steps toward continued excellence. It is the prayerful desire of ACSI that each of its member schools is actively growing to be a place where excellence abounds. The accreditation program of ACSI is a process that is planned to encourage that kind of development (2 Corinthians 3:5).

For further information about this membership benefit, please contact your ACSI regional office. They are ready, excited, and willing to assist you in the future direction your school decides to pursue.