Phase1
Inquiry & Eligibility
The institution submits an inquiry. USAAC confirms eligibility, agrees the scope (Core and any endorsements) and assigns a liaison.
- Home
- Process
How accreditation works
A structured, transparent path to accreditation
At USAAC, our accreditation journey is designed to support growth, innovation, and excellence. Institutions go through one structured, transparent five-phase process, whether they apply for USAAC Core alone or Core with endorsements in a single combined review.
About 3 weeks
Phase2
Candidacy & Self-Study
As a Candidate, the school rates itself against each standard using the USAAC rubric and tags its evidence, with guidance and mentoring from USAAC.
Phase3
Peer Review
Trained, calibrated reviewers validate the self-study on-site or virtually through documents, observation, interviews and stakeholder surveys. Several endorsements are reviewed in one visit.
Phase4
Accreditation Decision
The USAAC Board awards a level for Core and for each endorsement using the published level rules. Elite decisions are confirmed by two reviewers.
Phase5
Monitoring & Renewal
Core is valid for 5 years with an interim report at 2.5 years; endorsements are valid for 3 years with a short annual update.
Accreditation levels
The three levels of recognition
Levels are cumulative and awarded by the same published rules in every framework, against rubric descriptors for each standard.
Established
Quality Assured
Sound practice is in place across most of the school, leadership is secure, and any area still developing has a clear improvement plan.
At least 75% of standards at Established or above, or 65% when at least a quarter are at Advanced or Elite, including every leadership standard (and, for Core, safer recruitment, health & safety and the safeguarding gate).
Advanced
Excellence in Practice
Practice is embedded, monitored with evidence and improving outcomes in most areas.
No standard still Developing, and at least 60% at Advanced or above, with at least one Advanced standard in every area.
Elite
Sector Leadership
Proven impact over at least two years in its areas of strength, and a school that helps others improve.
Advanced requirements met, at least 75% at Advanced or above, and at least one third at Elite across at least half of the areas.
USAAC Core
Valid 5 years, with an interim progress report at 2.5 years.
Endorsements
Valid 3 years, with a short annual update.
Program Certification
Valid 1–3 years, depending on the certification level.
Peer review
Fair, professional evaluation by experienced educators
USAAC’s peer review process ensures fair and professional evaluation by experts with deep educational and leadership experience.
- Reviewers are matched to your school type and to each endorsement under review (e.g., STEAM, languages, inclusion).
- Core and endorsements are reviewed in one combined visit; each topic is assessed only once.
- Reviews take place on-site or virtually.
- Each standard is rated against its published descriptors, and the report gives strengths, growth areas, and a recommended level per framework.
What reviewers do
Self-study validation
Confirm the evidence in your self-study report.
Interviews
Speak with leadership, faculty and students.
Observation
Observe teaching and operations in practice.
Start with a simple inquiry
Tell us about your institution and the recognition you are working toward. Submissions are reviewed within 2–3 business days.