Importance and Benefits of Accreditation

The thorough and rigorous process of accreditation administered by NJAIS is important to independent schools for many reasons.  

  • Undergoing a thorough self-study process, receiving feedback through peer review, and developing a multi-year plan for institutional improvement supports each school in more fully realizing its mission.  

  • An effective process of evaluation and accreditation brings credibility to NJAIS and inspires public confidence in each of its member schools.

  • The absence of an effective and professional system of peer review could well lead to increased oversight on the part of state and/or federal governmental agencies, yielding an accreditation process that would likely be more cumbersome and less responsive to the unique character of independent schools.

Other Benefits of NJAIS Accreditation Include:

  • Promoting a reflective and collaborative continuous school improvement process;

  • Providing school leaders, including Boards of Trustees, with independent, non-governmental validation and affirmation of current programs and services, along with well-considered recommendations for future improvements;

  • Enhancing student learning and growth by examining the educational program;

  • Granting seasoned professional educators valuable exposure to best practices in other schools through their participation on peer review visiting teams; 

  • Presenting a school’s Board of Trustees an independent, non-governmental validation that the school under its care is effectively delivering a quality educational experience to its students;

  • Assuring current school parents and the broader public, including prospective families, that the school is focused on sustaining a safe and enriching educational learning environment while maintaining efficient and effective operations;

  • Providing a credential that is often required in corporate and foundation fundraising as well as for SEVP in order for a school to qualify to offer student visas for students from abroad;

  • Facilitating school and college admissions, transfers, and admission of international students;

  • Positioning school leaders for strategic planning and visioning; and

  • Enhancing staff collegiality and broader school understanding through the self-study process.