The Office of Overseas Schools (OS) has long encouraged schools to seek accreditation because the accreditation process requires that schools conduct continuous self-study and evaluation of their organization, program, and facilities. Four of the six U.S. regional accrediting associations work with OS to facilitate such accreditation. These arethe Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. These associations have developed a special self-study method for use by all Department-assisted overseas schools and other international schools seeking accreditation.
As shown in the table below, as of September 15, 2007, there are 159 fully accredited Department-assisted overseas schools that offer kindergarten through grade 12. In addition, there are 18 schools accredited at the elementary level and one school that is accredited at the secondary level. Two schools are candidates for accreditation. Candidate schools undergo a period of self-study and, upon completing that program, are visited by an evaluation team, the final step in the accreditation process. Most of the schools in the "No Action" column of the table are small schools not yet ready to begin the accreditation process.
STATUS OF SCHOOL ACCREDITATION
SEPTEMBER 15, 2007
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Total ------Accredited------ Candi- Corre- No
REGION Schools Full Elem. H.S. date spon- Action
K-12 Only* Only Status dence
Europe** 66 50 7 1 1 0 7
Sub-Sahara Africa 33 19 10 0 0 0 4
North Africa 7 5 0 0 0 0 2
Near East & South Asia 23 22 0 0 0 0 1
East Asia 26 24 1 0 1 0 0
American Republics 39 39 0 0 0 0 0
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TOTAL 194 159 18 1 2 0 14
* The "Elementary Only" column includes several schools that are accredited through Grade 11.
** Europe includes Western and Eastern Europe.
