We recently hosted a re-accreditation visit from the International Baccalaureate (IB), the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and the Council of International Schools (CIS). The visit marks a pivotal step in CA’s journey of excellence, validating the school’s commitment to providing a top-tier international education and strengthening CA’s reputation among global educational institutions.CA first adopted the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in 1980 (with accreditation happening the same year), and later added the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP), in 2011.
Overview of Accreditation Bodies
Each of these accrediting organizations plays a unique role in maintaining educational standards worldwide:
- IB: Globally respected, the International Baccalaureate offers a challenging academic framework aimed at developing students who think critically, take a global perspective, and are prepared for university success.
- WASC: The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is a US-based accrediting commission that ensures educational excellence through a detailed evaluation of institutions’ operations and curriculum.
- CIS: This organization promotes high-quality education through rigorous assessments of international schools on factors including cultural diversity, inclusivity, and safety. CIS enables schools to benchmark the quality and improvement of their educational programmes with leading international practice.
Why Accreditation Matters
Being accredited by IB, WASC, and CIS places CA among a select group of schools that meet the highest standards of excellence. Accreditation not only validates CA’s curriculum, staff qualifications, and policies but also reinforces its commitment to continuous growth and improvement. The re-accreditation process, conducted every five years, provides CA with valuable feedback that helps shape our strategic goals and program offerings.
Universities worldwide seek out students educated at internationally accredited schools because accreditation means a high quality, international approach to education, a challenging academic programme, intercultural experiences and insights, and excellent preparation to live and work in a globally connected world.
The Re-Accreditation Process
Over the last 18 months, all CA Faculty and leadership have taken part in an organized self-reflection, led by our Director of Learning Clover Hicks, to assess our own practices against the programs and practices set forth by the IB, as well as the international standards provided by CIS/WASC. Data was drawn from the annual community survey, focus groups with students and parents, as well as feedback from teachers and support staff.
After submitting our Self-Study report, we received a visit from the accrediting bodies’ representatives, who came to campus to engage with CA’s entire school community, including staff, teachers, leadership, and students. The discussions were invaluable, not only validating CA’s strengths but also offering new perspectives to enhance the educational experience further.
The visit from IB, WASC, and CIS was an intensive, insightful process that will continue to guide CA’s vision of delivering a progressive and inclusive educational experience. The accrediting team departed with a positive impression of our school, noting that there was evident passion from the educators and the strong sense of community amongst the greater CA community. We want to thank the faculty, staff, the 40+ parents and the countless students who played a crucial role in this process and were flexible to accommodate this visit. Because of your support, we will be able to use the constructive feedback from the visit to further prepare students to excel as compassionate, knowledgeable, and globally aware individuals. The feedback from this accreditation cycle will guide CA’s strategic vision, driving ongoing development for the benefit of the entire CA community.