About ACISC
Independent international accreditation and quality assurance
for educational institutions.
Independent international accreditation and quality assurance
for educational institutions.
The Accrediting Council of International Schools & Colleges
(ACISC) provides an independent accreditation framework through
which eligible educational institutions can examine their
practices, demonstrate evidence of institutional quality, and
engage in a structured process of evaluation and continuous
improvement.
ACISC works with educational institutions seeking to strengthen
institutional effectiveness, educational quality, governance,
integrity, student support, and their capacity for ongoing
improvement.
ACISC supports schools in developing strong academic and
institutional practices that meet established standards of
educational quality. Through assessment, guidance, and
accreditation, schools can identify their strengths, address
areas for improvement, enhance student services, and develop
sustainable systems for continuous institutional improvement.
ACISC works with colleges and universities to strengthen
academic quality, institutional effectiveness, governance,
and student support services. Our accreditation framework
provides institutions with a structured opportunity to
evaluate their programs, policies, resources, and educational
outcomes while establishing practical strategies for
long-term improvement.
Students are at the center of educational quality. ACISC works
with educational institutions and partners to encourage
learning environments that support academic achievement,
personal development, student well-being, and preparation for
an increasingly interconnected world. We believe that strong
educational institutions are those that place students at the
heart of their mission, policies, services, and continuous
improvement efforts.
Quality is not a one-time achievement. It is an ongoing
process of evaluation, responsibility, and improvement.
The purpose of educational accreditation is to provide a
structured and evidence-informed approach to examining
institutional quality and effectiveness.
ACISC seeks to support institutions in developing a culture
in which quality is not viewed as a one-time achievement,
but as an ongoing process of evaluation, responsibility, and
improvement.
Through an accreditation framework based on defined standards
and appropriate evidence, institutions can identify areas of
strength, recognize opportunities for improvement, evaluate
the effectiveness of existing practices, and establish
priorities for continued institutional development.
The ultimate value of quality assurance lies not simply in
receiving an accreditation status, but in strengthening the
institution’s ability to fulfill its mission responsibly and
provide an effective educational environment for its students
and community.
Institutions
ACISC works with educational institutions seeking an independent
framework for institutional evaluation, quality assurance, and
continuous improvement.
Depending on applicable eligibility requirements and
accreditation pathways, this may include:
Educational institutions operate within different legal,
cultural, educational, and regulatory environments. ACISC
therefore recognizes the importance of evaluating institutional
quality within the appropriate context while maintaining clear
accreditation standards and expectations.
Institutions remain responsible for meeting the legal and
regulatory requirements applicable to their operations,
regardless of their accreditation status.
Our Principles
Our work is guided by a set of core values that shape how we
evaluate, support, and collaborate with educational institutions.
We promote high standards in academic and institutional
performance.
We encourage ethical, transparent, and responsible practices.
We seek to conduct evaluations using clear and consistent
criteria.
We encourage institutions to identify opportunities for
development and pursue sustainable improvement.
We value the dignity, equality, diversity, and contribution
of individuals and communities.
We recognize that the ultimate purpose of educational quality
is to improve students’ learning, development, and overall
educational experience.
Quality Assurance
Effective quality assurance requires more than policies on
paper. It requires evidence that institutional policies,
systems, and practices are implemented, monitored, evaluated,
and improved.
ACISC’s accreditation approach is therefore built around
several interconnected elements:
Institutions are evaluated against established standards that
provide a common framework for considering important aspects
of institutional quality and effectiveness.
Institutions are expected to provide appropriate evidence
demonstrating how their policies, practices, resources, and
systems operate and contribute to the fulfillment of their
mission.
Evaluation provides an opportunity to examine institutional
information, evidence, and practices in a structured manner
and to identify areas of strength and areas requiring further
attention.
Accreditation involves formal review and decision-making in
accordance with the applicable standards, policies, and
procedures.
Quality assurance should continue beyond an initial
accreditation decision. Institutions are expected to maintain
a commitment to evaluation, improvement, and institutional
effectiveness throughout the accreditation cycle.
The Organization
The Accrediting Council of International Schools & Colleges
(ACISC) is an independent international accreditation and
quality-assurance organization focused on the evaluation and
improvement of educational institutions.
ACISC’s work is centered on defined standards, institutional
evidence, evaluation, review, and continuous improvement. The
accreditation process provides a structured opportunity for an
institution to examine how effectively it fulfills its
educational mission and how well its systems, policies,
resources, and practices support students and the wider
institutional community.
Rather than treating accreditation as a single event or a title
alone, ACISC approaches quality assurance as an ongoing
institutional responsibility. Accreditation is therefore
connected to evaluation, accountability, reflection,
improvement, and periodic review.
The organization serves institutions operating in different
educational and national contexts while recognizing that
educational institutions remain subject to the laws,
regulations, licensing requirements, and other requirements
applicable in their respective jurisdictions.
Accreditation Framework
ACISC establishes and administers an accreditation framework
for eligible educational institutions. The framework provides
a structured basis for institutional evaluation and quality
assurance.
The specific requirements and procedures applicable to an
institution depend on the relevant accreditation framework,
institutional type, eligibility, and current ACISC policies.
Evidence & Evaluation
Effective quality assurance requires more than policies on
paper. It requires evidence that institutional policies,
systems, and practices are implemented, monitored, evaluated,
and improved.
Institutions are evaluated against established standards that
provide a common framework for considering important aspects
of institutional quality and effectiveness.
Institutions are expected to provide appropriate evidence
demonstrating how their policies, practices, resources, and
systems operate and contribute to the fulfillment of their
mission.
Evaluation provides an opportunity to examine institutional
information, evidence, and practices in a structured manner
and to identify areas of strength and areas requiring further
attention.
Accreditation involves formal review and decision-making in
accordance with the applicable standards, policies, and
procedures.
Quality assurance should continue beyond an initial
accreditation decision. Institutions are expected to maintain
a commitment to evaluation, improvement, and institutional
effectiveness throughout the accreditation cycle.
Independence
Independence is fundamental to meaningful accreditation. An
accreditation organization must be able to evaluate
institutions and administer its accreditation processes
without becoming an extension of the institutions it
evaluates or of governmental authorities.
ACISC operates independently of governmental authorities and
the educational institutions participating in its accreditation
processes. Its accreditation activities are intended to be
guided by defined standards, documented procedures,
appropriate evidence, and evaluation processes.
Independence does not mean operating without accountability.
A credible accreditation organization should be transparent
about its standards, processes, responsibilities, governance,
and applicable policies.
ACISC therefore seeks to make information about its
accreditation framework and institutional status accessible
so that institutions and other stakeholders can understand
the basis and boundaries of accreditation.
Important Information
ACISC accreditation is an independent quality-assurance
process. It does not replace or supersede governmental
authorization, licensing, regulatory approval, or other legal
requirements applicable to an educational institution.
Institutions remain responsible for complying with all
applicable laws, regulations, licensing requirements,
registration requirements, and governmental obligations in the
jurisdictions in which they operate.
Accreditation should therefore be understood as distinct from
governmental recognition, licensing, authorization, or
regulatory approval.
Recognition or acceptance of an accreditation credential may
also vary according to the requirements of a particular
government, regulator, university, employer, professional body,
or other organization. Stakeholders should independently verify
the requirements that apply to their specific circumstances.
Understanding Status
ACISC maintains a clear distinction between membership and
accreditation.
Membership in an ACISC program or community does not, by
itself, mean that an institution has been accredited.
Similarly, submitting an accreditation application does not
mean that accreditation has been granted. An institution may
also be determined eligible to proceed with an accreditation
process without having received an accreditation decision.
These distinctions are important because accreditation
represents a formal status resulting from an applicable
evaluation and decision-making process.
Visitors should always verify an institution’s current
accreditation status through ACISC’s official institutional
information.
Important Information
Accreditation provides information about an institution’s
participation in an accreditation and quality-assurance
process. It should not be interpreted as a guarantee of a
particular outcome for every student or stakeholder.
ACISC accreditation does not automatically guarantee:
Students, parents, institutions, and other stakeholders should
verify the requirements of the specific organization or
authority whose decision is relevant to them.
The Process
Accreditation is a structured process rather than a single
application or designation.
An institution considers whether ACISC accreditation is
appropriate for its circumstances and educational context.
The institution’s readiness and applicable eligibility
considerations are reviewed before progressing through the
relevant accreditation pathway.
An eligible institution proceeds through the applicable
application and preparation requirements.
The institution examines its practices against the relevant
standards and prepares appropriate evidence.
Institutional information and evidence are reviewed through
the applicable evaluation process.
Findings are considered through the applicable
decision-making process and an accreditation determination
is made.
Accreditation is connected to continued institutional
responsibility, monitoring, evaluation, and improvement.
The exact requirements, stages, documentation, evaluation
activities, and decision procedures applicable to an institution
are defined by the relevant ACISC policies and accreditation
framework.
Students & Parents
Accreditation information can be important when students and
families evaluate an educational institution. However, an
accreditation credential should always be considered in
context.
Before relying on an institution’s accreditation status,
students and parents should verify that:
Accreditation alone should not be treated as a guarantee of
admission, transfer of academic credit, employment, professional
licensing, immigration eligibility, or recognition by every
external organization.
Explore ACISC
Understanding an accreditation organization begins with
understanding how it operates. Explore the standards, framework,
procedures, and institutional information that support the ACISC
accreditation system.
Learn more about international accreditation and the ACISC
framework.
Explore the standards and requirements used within the
accreditation framework.
Understand the stages involved in the accreditation process.
Explore the continuing cycle of accreditation and review.
Explore the pathway for eligible educational institutions
considering accreditation.
Verify current institutional accreditation information through
ACISC.
Accreditation Framework
Whether you represent an educational institution, are
considering an institution for yourself or your family, or are
seeking information about educational quality assurance, ACISC
provides information about its accreditation framework,
standards, and processes.
Explore the accreditation framework to understand the standards,
evidence, evaluation, and review involved in the accreditation
process.
Important Information About ACISC Accreditation
ACISC accreditation is an independent quality-assurance
process. It does not replace governmental authorization,
licensing, regulatory approval, or other legal requirements
applicable to an educational institution.
Membership, application, and eligibility are distinct from
accreditation. An institution should be considered accredited
only where ACISC’s official information confirms a current
accreditation status.
Recognition or acceptance of accreditation may vary according
to the requirements of individual governments, regulators,
universities, employers, professional bodies, and other
organizations. Stakeholders should verify applicable
requirements independently.
Explore ACISC
Discover how ACISC can support your institution through
accreditation, quality evaluation, professional guidance, and
continuous improvement.
Whether you represent a school, college, university, or
educational organization, our framework provides a structured
pathway for evaluating institutional performance and
strengthening educational quality.
ACISC is an independent, non-governmental accrediting
organization dedicated to the advancement of international
education through the provision of specialized accreditation and
membership services to eligible institutions. Operating on a
foundation of collaborative effort, the organization offers a
comprehensive suite of professional resources designed to
empower schools, higher education institutions, and individual
educators alike.
At the very core of its mission and guiding every initiative is
an unwavering commitment to fostering global citizenship. This
fundamental principle informs ACISC’s strategies, shapes its
resources, and ultimately defines the unique value it brings to
its members as they navigate and contribute to the ever-evolving,
dynamic landscape of international education.
