Accreditation

WHO WE ARE

The Middle States Association is a worldwide leader in accreditation and school improvement. For over 125 years, Middle States has been helping school leaders establish and reach their goals, develop strategic plans, promote staff development and advance student achievement.

MISSION

The Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools, building on the rich history of the Middle States Association, aspire to improve the quality of education in the United States and around the world by assisting schools to achieve excellence through the process of accreditation, by affirming to the public a member school’s trustworthiness and commitment to continuous improvement, by providing the network and resources for the promotion of proven practices.

BELIEFS

• Education is important to the quality of life in our global society.
• All children deserve access to a quality education.
• All schools can achieve excellence in both teaching and learning through innovation.
• The process of self assessment, external validation, and accountability is essential to school improvement.
• Achieving excellence through accreditation promotes a commitment to a shared vision of continuous improvement, diverse stakeholder support, and sustained effort over an extended period of time.
• Accreditation is a collaborative partnership grounded in professionally recognized and accepted research-based standards.