Provisional Accreditation Overview

Designed to prepare schools for full accreditation with the CLSA, provisional accreditation allows start-up schools and those new to classical education to commit three years to mentorship and training. In the third year, they will be ready to apply for accreditation and be equipped in the proper implementation of the Classical Core Curriculum and in the achievement of the high academic standards implicit in the classical Christian model of education; and to promote the understanding of classical Christian education among school staff, teachers, and parents.

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The Benefits

• Guidance from an experienced mentor as the school forms their curriculum, whether as a start-up school or a school that is transitioning to classical education
• Help with crafting school documents in accordance with CLSA expectations
• Support with teacher training in classical education and pedagogy
• Preparation for full accreditation

The Process

This is an overview; please contact your school representative for more detailed information.

1. Complete the Provisional Accreditation application.
2. Once your school is approved for Provisional Accreditation:
   • Years One & Two
     • Meet quarterly with your school representative to review and develop the following areas: philosophy, academic & curricular objectives, pedagogy, school culture, assessments, professional development, and administration.
     • Attend Teacher Training Conference in Louisville, KY (at least one staff member must attend in person; the rest may attend virtually).
   • Year Three
     • Apply for full accreditation.
     • Continued quarterly mentorship with school representative.

The Requirements

• Partner Member of the CLSA
• Meet quarterly with a school representative to 1) review the school’s progress, and 2) be guided in development in the seven areas which the school will need to agree with and exhibit for final accreditation:
  • Philosophical – Evidence of a clear understanding among faculty, staff, and board members of the nature and purpose of a classical Christian education.
  • Academic & Curricular – Verification that the school’s mission and curriculum is in full alignment with the Latin-centered Classical Core Curriculum and that its core objectives are understood by school leadership and the wider school community. possesses a clearly articulated statement of the academic goals at every level and a clear process of ensuring the achievement of those goals.
  • Pedagogical – Traditional, teacher-directed instruction in a classroom environment conducive to learning and a process by which those methodologies are communicated to teachers and verified by administrative staff.
  • School Culture – That the classical Christian goals of the school work themselves out in an obvious and meaningful way in staff, faculty, and students and in the relations between them.
  • Assessment – Demonstration of the value-added benefit of the school’s academic program through some form of assessment (e.g., standardized test scores).
  • Professional development – Participation in professional development programs that contribute to the understanding of classical Christian education and the ability of teachers and staff to implement it.
  • Administrative – Evidence that the school has the resources needed to accomplish its stated goals.
• Attend Teacher Training Conference annually
  • There must always be a representative from the school attending in person.
  • While it is highly encouraged for the whole staff to attend in person, if that is not possible, they must attend virtually.

The FAQs

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