For many parents and students, online middle schools have become a preferred alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar institutions. These schools offer flexible, self-paced learning to let students learn at their own pace, time, and convenience from the comfort of their homes without feeling rushed or pressured by a generic learning speed. The variety and depth of curriculum offered by online middle schools often surpass what’s made available by their traditional counterparts.
But there’s a small problem. With numerous online middle schools out there vying for the attention of parents and students, how can one decide which is the right choice?
When it comes to selecting an online middle school, accreditation is an important factor to consider.
Importance of Accreditation When Choosing an Online Middle School
Accreditation refers to a detailed and rigorous evaluation provided by accrediting agencies. It involves assessing how well an online middle school meets predefined educational standards. Accreditation isn’t permanent and must be renewed regularly to guarantee the school maintains its educational program’s quality.
Accreditation can be called a quality assurance mechanism for online middle schools, ensuring they meet specific academic standards and provide students with a credible education. Parents prefer getting their children enrolled in an accredited online middle school as it assures that their education is in reliable and capable hands.
Choosing an accredited online middle school can be beneficial in the following ways:
Educational Quality
Since accredited middle schools must maintain rigorous academic standards, it enhances the quality of education they offer. From a structured and comprehensive curriculum to experienced and qualified faculty members and support staff, adequate student support services, up-to-date technological infrastructure, and transparent admission and graduation requirements, an accredited school offers them all.
Students who plan to transition to high school can benefit from an accredited online middle school as it prepares them for higher levels of academic rigor. Even those planning to enroll in trade schools can benefit from the curriculum of an accredited online middle school and set their foundation right.
Transferability of Courses
Students opting to switchto a traditional school or another onlineinstitution from an accredited online middle school are more likely to have their courses transferred. Though each school or institution will have its own policies about course transfer, being enrolled in an accredited online middle school facilitates the determination of which courses will transfer, paving the way for a smoother transition.
Understanding the Accreditation Process
Accreditation is a voluntary andongoing process. Online middle schools opting for accreditation by an accrediting agencywill have to undergo a periodic review and renewal process.
Typically, an online middle school first zeroes in on the accrediting agency and examines its requirements. Next, it conducts a self-evaluation to take an in-depth look into its curricula, teaching methods, teacher qualifications and experience, and resources.
This is followed by an external review where the accrediting agency assesses the school on specific criteria like its goal and purpose, academic programs, teacher qualifications, technological infrastructure, etc., to validate if the school meets the accreditation standards.
If it does, it gets accredited. However, getting accreditation isn’t the end. The online middle school will need to meetthe accreditor’s standardsand pass the periodic reviews during the accreditation period.
Accrediting agencies may reevaluate schools to decide if they should remain accredited or be granted a pre-accredited status. Typically, a pre-accredited status is granted to schools, which are in the process of acquiring accreditation.
Popular Accreditation Agencies for Online Middle Schools
Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA CESS)
It’s a global leader in school improvement and accreditation. For more than 130 years, MSA CESS has been helping school leaders set and reach their goals, create strategic plans, encourage staff development, and facilitate student achievement.
MSA CESS’s aim is to improve the quality of education through the process of accreditation and confirming to the public a member school’s credibility and commitment to continuous improvement. It provides member schools with the network and resources needed for the promotion of proven practices.
When evaluating an online middle school, the Middle States Association focuses on how the school performs in five key areas, which constitute its Standards for Accreditation. These are:
- Foundations
- Student Well-Being
- Governance and Organization
- Teaching and Learning
- Resources
Cognia
For 125+ years, schools have been seeking accreditation by Cognia and its legacy agencies, NWAC, NCA CASI, and SACS CASI. Cognia’s accreditation is based on meticulousevidence-based criteria and research-based standards.
The entire school is evaluated as part of the accreditation process – from learning conditions and policies to cultural context – to decide how well the components work together to meet the requirements of each learner.
The Association of Independent Schools of Florida (AISF)
The Florida Association of Academic Nonpublic Schools recognizes AISF as an accrediting agency for Florida-based private schools. AISF has been operational for 7 years. It has accredited 108 schools and served 4655 educators and 2316 students to date.
AISF is a charter member of the NCPSA (National Council for Private School Accreditation). NCPSA acts as a national review panel for the procedures and standards of US-based private school accrediting associations.
AISF has two accrediting divisions – the Early Childhood Accreditation Program (ECAP) and the Academic Schools Accreditation Program (ASAP). Online middle schools need to seek the Academic Schools Accreditation Program.
Accreditation International (Ai)
Online middle schools providing an international or national course of instruction by teachers to students can opt for accreditation by Accreditation International (Ai).
This accreditation assures students, parents, governments, and others that a participating school is determined to meet and surpass the quality assurance standards and indicators required to advance its students.
Final Words
As the popularity of online middle schools soars, parents are increasingly weighing their options to find a suitable learning environment for their children. Accreditation is a vital factor to consider when choosing an online middle school.
Apart from assuring the quality of education, it can provide parents with peace of mind while ensuring the educational needs of their children are met and a suitable foundation is laid for their future aspirations.
