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 a 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:

As we work across the world, information about our role as an international accreditation body is interpreted in different ways. At CIS we are often asked how an international school’s accreditation impacts its students’ eligibility for university admissions internationally.

Working together with the U.S. Department of Education and International Credential Evaluator organizations, we checked the facts and corrected misinformation about school accreditation and the issuance of secondary leaving credentials (high school diplomas).

We have created several resources to clarify this information in our membership community of schools and universities as well as with parents and students.

High School Diplomas: Student Assessment & School Accreditation  8-minute video
Jane Larsson and Katie Rigg answer frequently asked questions surrounding the role and interaction between the issuance of high school diplomas and school accreditation, specifically CIS International Accreditation.

Panel Discussion: U.S. High School Diploma, Student Transcripts and School Accreditation 30-minute video.
Bill Bellen, Senior Evaluator at the Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) and Rafael Nevarez, deputy Director of International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Education join Jane Larsson to help school counsellors, university admissions officers, students and their families understand how diplomas conferred at international schools are recognized around the world.

CIS Briefing: Recognition of International Accreditation (14-minute read) Read online | Download
Members frequently ask us to clarify how CIS International Accreditation is recognised in countries around the world. This briefing note provides a starting point as a useful summary of frequently asked questions to share with your community.

 

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The College Board’s Advanced Placement program recognizes the Council of International Schools (CIS) as an accrediting body for schools. Secondary schools in all countries, including the United States, must show valid and current accreditation from a College Board-approved accreditor when applying to offer Advanced Placement programs, courses and assessments. As a trusted organization, CIS and its accreditation credentials meet College Board requirements.

The Netherlands: The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science have designated international or foreign schools that are or will be accredited by CIS as schools where pupils can fulfill their compulsory education in the Netherlands.

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.

Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE): Read a white paper from Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) on the changing landscape of accreditation.

Your questions, answered:

Read these frequently asked questions for universities and school leaders, parents and students. Read more about the recognition of our protocol and download this resource to share with your colleagues and community.