Framework and Protocol
CIS International Accreditation is fully and entirely developed by CIS, reflecting our mission, values, diverse membership, and our Code of Ethics. Our team of educational leaders developed our framework and protocol based on research of school development and improvement, with feedback from more than 200 schools in 50 countries.
Key features
Strategic Alignment: We align the school’s accreditation process with its strategic priorities, using CIS research-informed standards to guide and improve its strategic work. Accreditation activities focus on the daily work of the school.
Guided Choice: The school has agency and voice in its accreditation process, leading its development in areas that make a difference to the school community. The school will evaluate its current systems and strategic priorities through the lens of the CIS International Accreditation Cornerstones and Dimensions to advance and evidence improvement.
Future-Focused Standards: Our standards frame high-quality international practice, are futures-focused, and support school development at each accreditation stage and cycle. 18 standards are organized in three dimensions—Guiding Principles, Learning & Well-being.
Focused Evaluation: The evaluative focus and cycle are tailored to the school’s needs, stage of development, and orientation for the future. Visiting teams are smaller and reports will be succinct, making them user-friendly, focused and value-added resources for the entire school community.
Ongoing Improvement: The accreditation process supports the school’s goal for ongoing improvement, providing support and resources to help achieve goals.
Socially Responsible Leadership: The accreditation framework emphasizes the development of socially responsible leadership through international education, preparing students to become global citizens who can navigate and contribute to our world no matter where their paths take them.
Benefits for schools
Enhanced institutional learning
Benchmark a school’s learning and development with international leading practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. The school community will engage in a self-study process that promotes reflective dialogue and strategic development, ensuring that all community members are actively involved.
Strategic school improvement
A developmental approach to accreditation will align the school’s practices with its strategic priorities. Research-informed standards will guide them. CIS will support the school’s continuous improvement journey, providing ongoing support and resources to help achieve its goals.
Expertise & guidance
The CIS Global Team of experienced international educators and school leaders will guide the school through its chosen developmental initiatives. CIS Internationally Accredited schools have ongoing access to designated CIS representatives for support.
Focused evaluation
Our standards are focused on offering clear benchmarks and aspirational goals in three dimensions of education: Guiding Principles, Learning, and Well-being. Evaluation teams are small, making the team evaluation visit to schools efficient and focused, and providing its community with feedback from a group of trained peers from leading schools around the world.