Skip to main content
Individuals from varying races and ethnicities smiling while raising their arms in the air and touching hands.

About Accreditation

Uplifting Independent Schools

CAIS membership provides the resources and support to deliver on the promise of your school's mission.

Three individuals looking over documents at a table.

Support Tailored to Your Values and Vision

With expert eyes and over 80 years of experience, we dive deep into your school's unique identity to provide the support you need most. Through CAIS accreditation, our members continuously execute improvements that are both meaningful and measurable.

Why Become a CAIS School?

Highest level of leadership.

Professional Development

Cycle of accreditation and improvement

Accreditation

Resources.

Networking

Participation in CAIS helps you cultivate fruitful connections and navigate the California regulatory environment more easily and effectively. Driving the continuous development of schools and their leaders, CAIS also offers more trustee training for independent schools than any other organization.

Membership Promotes:

  • Ongoing support in fulfilling your unique mission, including resources, data, and professional development
  • Connections with high-caliber peers, including an annual conference for trustees and heads of school and year-round conversations between school leaders
  • Targeted training and professional development for new trustees and new heads
  • Export guidance as you manage your policies and curriculum, including consortium opportunities supporting legal advice and risk management
  • Individualized guidance in times of need
99%feel that CAIS supports them effectively, shares their school's values, and that they are proud their school is a member of CAIS
100%plan to continue their school's CAIS membership
Findings based on a 2022 survey of member schools.

ACCREDITING PARTNERSHIPS

Joint accreditation is available with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and other groups.

Logo of WASC.

RECOGNIZED BY ICAISA

CAIS' accreditation protocol is itself reviewed by an external agency: the International Council Advancing Independent School Accreditation. This Member Recognition Seal reflects our good standing with that authority.

Round member recognition seal of ICAISA.

Held to High Standards

When families see the CAIS symbol, they know that the school is evaluated by credible independent experts. Members of CAIS participate in a seven-year cycle of ongoing, peer-reviewed improvement and self-reflection that fosters accountability.

CAIS member schools are assessed and held to high standards in the following areas:

1.INSTITUTIONAL PURPOSE AND CORE VALUES
2.TEACHING AND LEARNING
3.FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
4.OPERATIONS
5.INSTITUTIONAL STEWARDSHIP AND LEADERSHIP
6.INSTITUTIONAL IMPROVEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

In each of these areas, schools must meet baseline requirement, document how they achieve high standards, and engage in community-wide reflection about self-improvement.

Learn More About AccreditationComplaints About Member Schools
I found the whole accreditation process to be very rewarding. Our school felt supported by CAIS and by our visiting team. Board chair