Nonpublic School Accreditation

Nonpublic schools have two options for accreditation in the State of Iowa. Nonpublic schools can choose one of the following options:

1. General Accreditation by state through a comprehensive site visit.
2. Independent Accreditation through a state approved independent accrediting agency.

Nonpublic schools accredited through an approved independent accrediting agency are deemed to meet the education standards of Iowa Code 256.11. With respect to accreditation in both public and nonpublic schools, the state has the authority and responsibility to be assured of an educational program which is in accordance with minimal standards. Approval standards are those rules and regulations promulgated by the Iowa Department of Education and found in the Iowa Administrative Code. These standards detail the statutes as to intent and purposes and carry the force and effect of law.

Application for Initial Recognition

The purpose of the application for initial recognition is to determine whether your organization is a “reliable authority concerning the quality of education” offered by an accredited nonpublic school.

State Accreditation

An accredited school meets or exceeds the minimum requirements for operation as either an elementary or secondary school as stated in the general statutes and regulations adopted by the State Board of Education. If a school meets these minimum standards, it will be granted accreditation.

Become a State Accredited Nonpublic School

Pursuant to Iowa Code 256.11, nonpublic schools have the option to be accredited by the Department.

Instructions for Becoming a State Accredited Nonpublic School

1. The school must complete the Application for Nonpublic School State Accreditation by  January 1 of the school year preceding the school year for which accreditation is sought.
2. Upload documents to the Document Review Checklist.
3. An on-site accreditation visit will be scheduled to validate that the school has met all Chapter 12 requirements as those rules apply to state accredited non-public schools.
4. After the onsite visit, the Department will provide a written report to the school regarding readiness for accreditation. If the Department recommends accreditation, that recommendation will go to the State Board of Education.

Independent Accreditation

Nonpublic schools have the option to be accredited by a state approved independent regional or national nonprofit, nongovernmental agency recognized as a reliable authority concerning the quality of education.

Guidance for Independently Accredited Schools

Pursuant to Iowa Code 256.11.16, nonpublic schools have the option to be accredited by an independent regional or national nonprofit, nongovernmental agency recognized as a reliable authority concerning the quality of education.

Instructions for Independently Accredited Schools

1. Become and maintain accreditation by one of the approved independent accrediting agencies published on the Iowa Department of Education website.  Each independent accrediting agency will annually provide a list of its accredited schools to the Department. For a school to be considered for accreditation for the upcoming school year in the State of Iowa, the school must be included on the list.
2. For new schools create an account on the EdPortal. Once schools receive an ID number, schools will have access to web-based reporting to complete the following information annually:
   1. Provide school address and contact information to the Department of Education
   2. Submit enrollment data through one of two options: BEDS Fall Enrollment or Student Reporting of Iowa (SRI)
   3. Provide the number of students by resident district.
3. By May 15, the school will annually make the following assurances:
   1. It will comply with all requirements for nonpublic schools that are contained in the Iowa Code and Iowa Administrative Code, with the exception of the general accreditation standards contained in Iowa Code 256.11.
   2. It will enforce laws concerning compulsory attendance.
   3. It will comply with all statutory health and safety laws concerning school facilities, including compliance with state and local fire and building codes.
   4. It will comply with law concerning protecting student health and safety, including compliance with statutes and rules concerning HHS child care licensing, abuse of students, bullying and harassment
   5. It will comply with all applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws.
   6. To the extent that it requests assistance or services for or on behalf of its students from a local school district or an AEA, it will comply with all requirements imposed on nonpublic schools accredited by the state board of education for the receipt of such assistance or services.
4. By May 30 preceding the school year in which a school may be considered accredited in the State of Iowa, each newly accredited nonpublic school must inform the resident district in which they are operating. Additionally, the Department will post the updated list on the Department website on July 15 of each year.
5. The school will collaborate with the local school district to coordinate Transportation, Title I, Title II – Part A, and Title III.
6. Pursuant to House File 347, by Jan. 1, 2016, each building operating childcare programming must be licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services. Please contact the childcare consultant assigned to your area at 515-281-6832 to begin the licensing process. Learn more about Child Care Licensing from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

Approved Independent Accrediting Agencies

The following is a list of State Board of Education approved independent accrediting agencies:

ACS, Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Elizabeth Oberreiter
Vice President, Domestic Accreditation
626-290-2126
eoberreiter@acswasc.org

Cognia (formerly AdvancEd)

Kathy Bartlow
Senior Analyst
480-773-6900 ext. 6923
kathy.bartlow@cognia.org

Dr. Andre Harrison
Vice President, Accreditation Services
andre.harrison@cognia.org

American Montessori Society (AMS)

Melanie Thiesse
212-358-1250
melanie@amshq.org

Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)

Bobbie Kelly
Associate Director
815-282-7070
bobbie_kelly@acsi.org

Association of Classical Christian Schools

Tom Spencer
Director of Accreditation
208-882-6101 ext. 102
tspencer@accsedu.org

Christian Schools International (CSI)

Sheryl L. Jo
Director of Accreditation
Christian Schools International
99 Monroe NW, #200
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-957-1070 ext. 106
sjo@csionline.org

Allison Reiffer
Manager of Accreditation Support
Christian Schools International
99 Monroe NW, #200
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616-957-1070 ext. 107
areiffer@csionline.org

Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)

Andy Gilla
Director of Accreditation
andy@isacs.org

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools

Daniel C Rufo 
Senior Associate Vice President
267-284-5041 
drufo@msa-cess.org

National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA)

Dr. Alan Freeman
Director LCMS School Ministry
Office of National Mission
1333 South Kirkwood Road
Saint Louis, MO 63122
314-996-1272
alan.freeman@lcms.org