Procedures for Membership
The first step towards accreditation in the ANSAA organization is to become an Associate member. The criteria for Associate membership is below.
1. In using the ANSAA name in relation to the school’s membership, the term Non-accredited Associate Member will be used in all school publications i.e., website,
advertisements, and any other written materials.
2. All schools must be incorporated as a non-profit, 501 (C) (3). Proof of this must be filed with the ANSAA office.
3. All schools must be a complete unit as defined by the school’s mission and approved by ANSAA Board of Directors. Examples of current approved units: Elementary K-4,
K-5, K-6, K-8; Middle 5-9, 6-8, 7-8; High School 7-12, 9-12 or 10-12; or School System K-12.
4. Schools may remain as Non-Accredited Associate Members for an indefinite time. Note that schools may not apply for initial accreditation until one full year of
membership in ANSAA as an Associate School.
5. Associate members must submit an Annual Report addressing the ANSAA mandatory (starred) standards. Schools will be asked to report their progress in reaching
candidacy status. This is completed annually by September 15.
Initial Accreditation Procedures
1. ANSAA Membership Requirement
Non-Accredited Associate Schools must be ANSAA members for at least one year before applying for initial accreditation.
2. Annual Report for Non-Accredited Associate Members
Non-Accredited Member School will submit an ANSAA Annual Report addressing mandatory standards. The educational administrator will write a narrative related to any
mandatory standard not met to assist the Executive Director in determining the school’s readiness for an accreditation site visit. Accreditation site visits cannot be
scheduled until all mandatory standards are met.
3. Application for Initial Accreditation / Letter of Intent / Initial Filing Fee
a) Schools seeking initial ANSAA accreditation must meet all mandatory standards prior to applying for candidate status.
b) Schools must have a qualified chief executive officer or educational administrator who has served as the school’s chief administrator for one year prior to making
application for accreditation.
c) When ready to apply for initial accreditation, the school submits an ANSAA Application for Initial Accreditation. The application includes the names of the approved
self-study instrument, a letter of intent from the school’s governing board, and an initial accreditation filing fee.
4. Candidate Status
After the ANSAA Board has approved the school’s initial application for accreditation, the school is placed in Candidate Status for three years. During this time an approved
self-study will be completed Schools failing to complete the accreditation process within three years will resume the non-accredited associate membership.
5. ANSAA Consultant
A consultant will be assigned to assist in the accreditation process. After the consultant notifies the ANSAA Executive Director the self-study is complete and ready for
validation, a team is organized and a site visit date is scheduled.
6. Expenses Incurred
The school going through the validation process is responsible for all expenses incurred by the validation team, which includes reimbursement per mile for transportation
according to current government rates paid for services, meals, accommodations, and other miscellaneous expenses. The school will also be responsible for the travel
expenses of the consultant.
7. Accreditation Status and Certificates
The chairperson will present the results of the site visit to the ANSAA Board of Directors for a vote based on the validation team’s major recommendations. A certificate of
accreditation is granted to approved schools for a period of seven (7) years. Annual reports and membership dues must be submitted to maintain accreditation.
The first step towards accreditation in the ANSAA organization is to become an Associate member. The criteria for Associate membership is below.
1. In using the ANSAA name in relation to the school’s membership, the term Non-accredited Associate Member will be used in all school publications i.e., website,
advertisements, and any other written materials.
2. All schools must be incorporated as a non-profit, 501 (C) (3). Proof of this must be filed with the ANSAA office.
3. All schools must be a complete unit as defined by the school’s mission and approved by ANSAA Board of Directors. Examples of current approved units: Elementary K-4,
K-5, K-6, K-8; Middle 5-9, 6-8, 7-8; High School 7-12, 9-12 or 10-12; or School System K-12.
4. Schools may remain as Non-Accredited Associate Members for an indefinite time. Note that schools may not apply for initial accreditation until one full year of
membership in ANSAA as an Associate School.
5. Associate members must submit an Annual Report addressing the ANSAA mandatory (starred) standards. Schools will be asked to report their progress in reaching
candidacy status. This is completed annually by September 15.
Initial Accreditation Procedures
1. ANSAA Membership Requirement
Non-Accredited Associate Schools must be ANSAA members for at least one year before applying for initial accreditation.
2. Annual Report for Non-Accredited Associate Members
Non-Accredited Member School will submit an ANSAA Annual Report addressing mandatory standards. The educational administrator will write a narrative related to any
mandatory standard not met to assist the Executive Director in determining the school’s readiness for an accreditation site visit. Accreditation site visits cannot be
scheduled until all mandatory standards are met.
3. Application for Initial Accreditation / Letter of Intent / Initial Filing Fee
a) Schools seeking initial ANSAA accreditation must meet all mandatory standards prior to applying for candidate status.
b) Schools must have a qualified chief executive officer or educational administrator who has served as the school’s chief administrator for one year prior to making
application for accreditation.
c) When ready to apply for initial accreditation, the school submits an ANSAA Application for Initial Accreditation. The application includes the names of the approved
self-study instrument, a letter of intent from the school’s governing board, and an initial accreditation filing fee.
4. Candidate Status
After the ANSAA Board has approved the school’s initial application for accreditation, the school is placed in Candidate Status for three years. During this time an approved
self-study will be completed Schools failing to complete the accreditation process within three years will resume the non-accredited associate membership.
5. ANSAA Consultant
A consultant will be assigned to assist in the accreditation process. After the consultant notifies the ANSAA Executive Director the self-study is complete and ready for
validation, a team is organized and a site visit date is scheduled.
6. Expenses Incurred
The school going through the validation process is responsible for all expenses incurred by the validation team, which includes reimbursement per mile for transportation
according to current government rates paid for services, meals, accommodations, and other miscellaneous expenses. The school will also be responsible for the travel
expenses of the consultant.
7. Accreditation Status and Certificates
The chairperson will present the results of the site visit to the ANSAA Board of Directors for a vote based on the validation team’s major recommendations. A certificate of
accreditation is granted to approved schools for a period of seven (7) years. Annual reports and membership dues must be submitted to maintain accreditation.