We are pleased to announce that the Christian Schools International Accreditation Commission met on January 18, 2024 to renew and approve the accreditation status of thirteen CSI member schools who hosted site visit teams on their campuses during the fall semester of 2023. Four of these member schools hosted their very first CSI accreditation visit.
Jean Sparkenburg, accreditation coordinator at East Palmyra Christian School in Palmyra, New York, shared about her school’s first time earning accreditation with CSI, “The accreditation process with CSI has been a lot of work, but so good! I see how much we have already been blessed at East Palmyra Christian School to take time with each of the Measuring the Mission indicators and reflect on so many important aspects of what we do as we seek to provide a God-glorifying education for our students.”
The Self-Study: A Deep Reflection on a Christian School's Unique Mission
CSI schools utilize a comprehensive accreditation self-study process as the groundwork for our Measuring the Mission protocol. The self-study process allows groups of school staff and stakeholders to thoroughly reflect upon, evaluate, and analyze all their school does in living out its unique mission as a Christian school. Based upon the school’s Measuring the Mission Self-Study and the validation and recommendations of the CSI Accreditation Site Visit Team, the school develops a five-year strategic School Improvement Plan to provide guidance, structure, and accountability for mission adherence and continual growth.
Eric Woernle, assistant headmaster and school improvement team chair at Liberty Classical Academy in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, explained what he appreciated about his school’s first journey through CSI’s Measuring the Mission process:
The accreditation process with CSI allowed Liberty Classical Academy to:
- Ask ourselves, “Are we following our mission as well as we think we are?”
- Demonstrate to all stakeholders that the school is committed to continual improvement
- Dive deep into our policies, processes, and procedures
- Ensure that all our school’s documents and policies are retrievable and organized
- Receive feedback from a CSI Site Visit Team who was honest, kind, and helped us through the process with care and professionalism.
Please join us in celebrating with East Palmyra Christian School and Liberty Classical Academy, as well as our other two newly accredited schools, Axiom Christian Classical School (NM) and West Side Christian School (MI). We also congratulate Allendale Christian School (MI), Central Valley Christian School Society (CA), Holland Christian Schools (MI), Hope Harbor Academy (OK), Northern Michigan Christian School (MI), Oakland Christian School (MI), Redeemer Classical School (VA), Rock Valley Christian School (IA), and Tampa Christian Community School (FL) on their accreditation renewals. These thirteen schools have demonstrated their deep commitment to measuring mission excellence and continual school improvement.
If you have questions about CSI Accreditation or are interested in becoming accredited, please contact Sheryl Jo, director of accreditation.
CSI's Measuring the Mission accreditation process allows schools to reflect deeply on their unique missions as Christian schools.
Serving on an accreditation site visit team is a wonderful way to meet others who have a passion for pursuing excellence in Christian education and continual school improvement.