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Northwest Accreditation Commission
(NWAC)
The mission of the Northwest Accreditation Commission is to advance
excellence in education through the process of accreditation.
Accreditation promotes continual school improvement leading to greater
student achievement. The Northwest Accreditation Commission, formerly
the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, accredits distance
education, elementary, foreign nation, high, K-12, middle level,
post-secondary non-degree granting, residential, special purpose,
supplementary education and travel education schools.
The Northwest Accreditation Commission is one of the nation's six
acknowledged accreditation agencies. The geographic territory of the
Commission consists of the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada,
Oregon, Utah and Washington and other worldwide geographical areas
designated from time to time by the Board of Trustees.
DOWNLOAD THE NEW NWAC LOGO HERE.
What does accreditation mean?
When the Accreditation Commission accredits a school, it
is certifying that the school has met the prescribed quantitative and
qualitative standards of the Commission,
within the terms of the school's own stated mission and beliefs. It
is also certifying that the school has undergone a self-study and
validation by an outside team of peers, upon application
for membership, and once every six years thereafter. Each
member school must also be involved in a continual school improvement
process (SIP) that must be reported as part of the
school's peer-reviewed oral progress report to the
Commission.
Accredited schools are members of one of the nation's six regional
accrediting bodies. Being an accredited member implies that the
school subscribes to a process of voluntary self-regulation that is a
constructive experience designed to improve the quality of that member
school.
Membership
Accreditation is an important aspect of school effectiveness.
Accreditation in Washington state is closely aligned to the School
Improvement Process of the Office of Superintendent of Public
Instruction (OSPI) and the School Improvement Plan (SIP) required by the
State Board of Education.
Brochures and Resources:
Membership Documents:
Annual Update Reports Required:
Benefits
In addition to the intrinsic benefits that the school receives,
the public also obtains the following assurances:
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Regional Accreditation assures transferability of credits among other
regionally accredited schools.
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Citizens are assured of accountability and value for their tax
dollars in light of the fact that their school is meeting regional
standards (see links below).
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The community in general is more attractive to prospective incoming
families and businesses when it can be reported that its schools are
accredited.
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Accreditation assures the public that an outgoing process of
evaluation will be a permanent feature of school improvement
practices.
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Through school, the public can receive information regularly on the
extent to which their school is meeting standards.
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Accreditation provides general justification for public confidence in
a member school. It does not affirm that the school is perfect in all
aspects, but it does promise that the school has the resources,
leadership and vitality needed for ongoing improvement.
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Accreditation gives evidence to its public that the school is meeting
expectations and fulfilling standards that transcend local and
state requirements.
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Accreditation assures that other schools, colleges and universities
will accept student credits.
Questions regarding membership may be made directly to Joe Pope,
Northwest Accreditation Commission, Washington State Director, at
253.318.3861 or joepope@awsp.org,
or to Sandie Cannady at sandie@awsp.org.
Online Learning Programs
Northwest Accreditation Commission Consultant Contact Information:
| accreditation, school, Northwest Association of Accredited Schools |
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P (360) 357-7951 or (800) 562-6100 
