Questions
Contact info@cois.org if you need more information.
How we work with the IB and partner agencies
Helping schools align multiple accreditation cycles
The cyclical nature of school accreditation and curriculum evaluations can be challenging for schools to coordinate when working with multiple organizations. When they are not working in partnership, schools can feel like they are in a never-ending cycle of review, effort, and report, with little time to celebrate their achievements and enjoy the impact on their school community. That’s where our partnerships with the IB and accreditation agencies help schools to manage their evaluation cycles more efficiently and effectively. Here’s how it works.
Global Recognition of CIS International Accreditation
As a leader in the field of school evaluation and accreditation worldwide, we provide a unique international accreditation with a focus on the development of students as global citizens. The quality and rigour of CIS International Accreditation is recognized by ministries, departments of education, and universities around the world as demonstration of a school’s commitment to high quality international education and as a mark of quality assurance. Learn about the recognition of our protocol by country.
Updates and articles:
- Read a white paper from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) on the changing landscape of accreditation.
- United States of America: The Council of International Schools is an approved accrediting agency for private elementary and secondary schools as identified by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Student and Exchange Visitor Program. The CIS Protocol is authorized via a Memoranda of Understanding as the basis and framework for dual accreditation internationally by three U.S. regional accreditation agencies: MSA, NEASC and WASC.
- Canada: The Independent Schools Association of British Columbia (ISABC) recognizes the validity of CIS International Accreditation on a 5-year cycle as a mark of quality assurance as they consider schools for membership in the association, fulfilling their requirement for accreditation to ensure the highest educational, leadership and administration standards.
- United Kingdom: The Council of British International Schools (COBIS), the British Schools of the Middle East (BSME) and the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA) recognize the validity of CIS International Accreditation on a 5-year cycle as a mark of quality assurance as they consider schools for membership in their respective associations.
Your questions, answered:
We have prepared frequently asked questions for both universities and schools (school leaders, parents and students). Read more about the recognition of our protocol and share the information with others at your institution or in your community.
- Does the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Schools recognize CIS International Accreditation?
- How should my university assess a student’s application from a CIS-Accredited school compared to a school that has both CIS and North American Accreditation association?
- What kind of assurance does accreditation provide? Do CIS or national accreditation agencies validate a school’s curriculum or the conferral of a diploma?
Find more questions and answers for universities and schools and download a resource to share with your colleagues and community.
Who Accredits CIS?
CIS is itself accredited by the International Council Advancing Independent School Accreditation (ICAISA), an over-arching professional association which “accredits the accreditors”. CIS is a member of ICAISA to influence and improve the accreditation of independent schools while submitting to the evaluation and validation of the quality of our own accreditation process. CIS has voluntarily submitted to a rigorous and impartial review of its accreditation protocol and has demonstrated adherence to ICAISA Criteria for Effective Independent School Accreditation Practices.
