Meeting the accreditation standards and completing the self-study is a rigorous but very worthwhile process. It requires 2–4 years of intensive work by the school staff. The school responds to the questions in the ACSI Manual of School Accreditation, explaining its approaches and assessing its strengths and weaknesses. Areas for improvement are identified by the school in each of the fourteen sections of the self-study. This process culminates with a team of educators visiting the school campus for three days to verify the results of the self-study and to assist the school in defining its improvement plans for the next three-to-five years.

California Christian schools can be accredited by two accrediting bodies. ACSI member schools can become accredited by ACSI and/or the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). ACSI and WASC have developed a joint process where by ACSI member schools can utilize the ACSI self-study and obtain dual accreditation with both accrediting agencies. The visiting committee in a joint endeavor is usually composed of four ACSI members and two WASC members. The chairperson is an ACSI representative with full knowledge of the joint ACSI/WASC process and requirements.

To assist the schools, the southern California region has developed COURSE One! as an accreditation training and preparation program conducted by ACSI for its member schools desiring to go through the K–12 accreditation process for the first time. Participants (administrators and/or teachers) enrolling in the training for the 2007–08 school year would attend the following COURSE One! sessions.

A school that is interested in getting started toward accreditation should request an Accreditation Information Packet or COURSE One! Registration Materials. A school must complete all Sessions in the COURSE One! Accreditation Training Program before they apply for accreditation and are admitted into candidacy.