Since 1995 NJAIS has been providing member schools the option of receiving accreditation through the evaluation process of the Association. The NJAIS Accreditation Committee provides oversight to the process and makes decisions on granting accreditation to schools who have completed the necessary steps to gain approval. Accreditation required for NJAIS membership may be achieved through NJAIS, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, or a joint NJAIS-MSA effort.

Schools wishing to use the NJAIS accreditation process should contact the Executive Director at least two years before the expiration of the present certificate of accreditation. A year of self-study is required using an instrument approved by NJAIS. The culmination of the self-study is a three day visit by a committee of educators from other member schools, headed by a Chairperson selected by the Director in consultation with the Head of the school seeking accreditation.

After the visit, a written report is provided to the school listing commendations and recommendations. On the basis of this report, the Accreditation Committee takes action to grant Certification (new member schools) or Continuation of Accreditation (previously accredited schools) or, in rare cases, the withholding of action to secure additional information. Both Certification and Continuation of Accreditation require that there be filed with the Accreditation Committee within one year, an Action Plan for further progress and a response to each of the recommendations in the Chairperson's Report. Two educators appointed by the Committee review this document. Upon acceptance of this document, a new school receives full Accreditation and a previously accredited school receives notice of Continuation of Accreditation.

Five years after the original visit, a written report of progress is filed with NJAIS and a two-person team visits the school for one day. On the basis of the report and visit, the Accreditation Committee may continue the accreditation for the balance of the ten year period, continue the accreditation on the condition that the school take certain actions, or revoke the accreditation.

For further information on the NJAIS Accreditation Program, or membership, please contact: Carole Everett, Executive Director