It is often said that “Nothing worth having comes easily.” For a school seeking to gain accreditation, this idiom often applies. The process of accreditation yields vital, valuable, and demonstrable outcomes for a school, but there is no doubt that most schools would agree that it is challenging work.  

Working through CSI’s Measuring the Mission (MtM) accreditation self-study process, preparing for and hosting an on-campus site visit, and completing annual accreditation reporting takes planning, organization, documentation, and time. Most CSI-accredited schools, however, view the CSI Accreditation process as a supportive tool for their journey of continuous growth and improvement, rather than as a chore. A CSI Accreditation Site Visit becomes the culmination of all the hard work a school has put into the accreditation process.

CSI staff members had the privilege of participating in a few recent accreditation visits and shared some observations as to why the CSI Accreditation process is worth all the time and effort required for completion.

A Perspective from the Byron Center Christian School Site Visit

As the director of marketing for CSI, most of my work is serving member schools behind the scenes. I’m thankful for the opportunity to observe a CSI Accreditation Site Visit last spring at Byron Center Christian School. The visit not only gave me insights as the director of marketing but also as a future Christian school parent.

Spending almost three days with a group of Christian educators serving as Site Visit Team members and observing staff, board, parent, and student interviews, I saw and heard the value the CSI Accreditation process brings to the Byron Center Christian School community.

At dinner one evening with the Byron Center Christian School Board of Trustees, I sat with Mike Wolf, board president and parent, who shared his thoughts about the site visit process of CSI Accreditation: “To have an external perspective, and yet, inside of the industry of Christian education, come alongside and help either validate and affirm what we’re doing or bring an outside perspective—maybe a new perspective or a blind spot that we don’t see—is incredibly valuable.”

Byron Center Christian School students were eager to share with Site Visit Team members how CSI Accreditation has helped their school grow.

“I can remember since I was in sixth grade the stuff that happened then. Now I’m in eighth grade and the stuff that happens now and the different protocols and things that are implemented each year and the new ways that we are doing things and learning, I think it’s really cool to see how we’ve grown,” shared eighth-grade student Allison Spaak. Allison also added that a student’s perspective in the site visit process gives insight into what is happening at the school and what can make it better.

After the Site Visit Team interviewed a parent group, I spoke with one parent who was moved to tears when she shared that she didn’t ever want her kids to leave Byron Center Christian School. After five minutes of her initial visit at Byron Center Christian School, she knew they were home.

“The accreditation process sets us apart. I think it speaks to who we are and what we do,” said Byron Center Christian School parent Lisa Shilts. “Everybody believes their school is special, but I really truly believe that there’s something special happening here. . . . my kids are forever changed. I can’t imagine them being anywhere else.”

–Lindsay Monette, CSI director of marketing

A Perspective from the Philadelphia-Montgomery Christian Academy Site Visit

During a November CSI Accreditation Site Visit, CSI Site Visit Team members praised Philadelphia-Montgomery Christian Academy for the school’s commitment to academic and spiritual growth and for the faith integration that is modeled by Philadelphia-Montgomery Christian Academy staff. This emphasis on faith integration was explained by Phil-Mont parent Sean Gregg in this way, “The teachers here recognize that language is something that God has given us to communicate, that math is a representation of the order of his creation, that science is the study of how his world works. It’s not just a Bible class and then other classes.”

School leaders shared that they appreciated the way in which the CSI Site Visit Team members highlighted and recognized the strengths of Philadelphia-Montgomery Christian Academy such as faith integration while also encouraging continued growth.

“Accreditation provides objective eyes to commend our genuine strengths that we take for granted and also surfaces where there are gaps…I’m already experiencing some surprises,” noted Todd Mangum, head of school at Philadelphia-Montgomery Christian Academy.

Board President Lamar Caison added that, “Getting an outside viewpoint on things is important because sometimes you’re too engaged internally to see everything…It’s good to get someone independent to help provide guidance in those areas.”

–Kate Van Wyngarden, CSI marketing assistant

A Perspective from the River’s Edge Christian Academy Site Visit

River’s Edge Christian Academy chose to see accreditation as a tool for genuine assessment and improvement. The school clearly embraced the collaborative intent of the CSI Accreditation self-study process and of the site visit. They chose Site Visit Team members from a variety of schools and backgrounds who would be rigorous in their evaluations and provide honest validation and verification of the school’s policies, procedures, and facilities.

The CSI Site Visit Team members bonded quickly and were able to celebrate the countless ways River’s Edge Christian Academy is excelling at their mission “to work in partnership with parents to produce Christ-centered, lifelong learners by combining the best of both home and traditional Christian classroom education, infusing a biblical worldview, focusing on character, and supplying college/career worthy academics.”

River’s Edge Christian Academy’s head of school Brian Beemer remarked that, “We won’t get a good measure of our school if we try to hide anything.” As a result of River’s Edge Christian Academy’s collaborative work on their self-study and their openness during the site visit, the school now has a five-year School Improvement Plan that will encourage continued improvement, challenge the school to continue to meet their own high expectations, and hold them accountable to their goals.

–Allison Reiffer, CSI manager of accreditation support

Heads of school, school board presidents, parents, and students at these three schools agree that, while it is indeed hard work, the CSI Accreditation process is a blessing and is incredibly valuable for schools as they work toward the fulfillment of the unique Christian school missions that God has placed before them.

If you have questions about CSI Accreditation or are interested in becoming accredited, please contact Sheryl L. Jo, director of accreditation.