CIS approach to Accreditation
We’ve taken a bold step, and we’re proud of the developmental, differentiated approach that schools will experience when they pursue CIS International Accreditation using our protocol for developing socially responsible learning communities.
Throughout our history, we’ve consistently worked to maintain our place at the forefront of international education development. Each iteration of our robust international accreditation framework was designed to guide international schools through the ever-changing educational landscape.
Member schools have told us about the importance of choice, flexibility, and differentiation in the accreditation process. As education (and the world!) rapidly evolve, so too must we evolve our services. The concept of future-proofing is central to the new framework. We have created an accreditation framework that is both robust and agile to help our schools respond to emerging themes and the complexities of the modern educational landscape.
Learn more about how we have shifted our approach to accreditation:
- From compliance → contextualisation
Not “Did you meet Standard X?” but “How does your Development Initiative show growth in your context?”
- From square pegs & round holes → bespoke process
Schools don’t have to force-fit. They show how their initiatives map naturally to the framework dimensions.
- From rubrics → reflective narratives & evidence
Evaluators still use standards, but schools bring them alive through milestones, evidence, and impact.
- From criteria → community meaning-making
Accreditation becomes about demonstrating how values are lived and shared across the community.
- From standalone external audit → embedded strategy Accreditation is no longer something “done to” schools; it becomes part of the school’s strategic growth and improvement plan, aligned with mission, vision, and long-term goals.
CIS members can learn more in the CIS Community portal.
If you are interested in learning more about CIS membership and accreditation, please let us know.