Accreditation and Reputation

THE WESTERN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES (ACS-WASC) 

What Does Accreditation Mean?

Accreditation is a voluntary, rigorous process that ensures a school meets high standards for academic quality, curriculum, and continuous improvement. To achieve and maintain accreditation, schools must:

• Conduct a comprehensive self-evaluation
• Submit a detailed self-study report
• Provide evidence of high-quality learning materials and instruction
• Gather feedback from stakeholders
• Demonstrate ongoing growth and improvement
• Undergo external review by trained peer professionals

WASC-Accreditation Requirements

An accreditation status is awarded based on the measurement of the program's intricacies as compared to the specific criteria set forth by the Accrediting Commission for Schools. CMASAS has remained fully accredited since its founding in 2009. Originally accredited by the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), CMASAS transitioned to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS-WASC) beginning in 2020 and earned a six-year full accreditation renewal in the spring of 2024. 

ASC-WASC is one of six regional accreditation agencies in the U.S. for K-12 schools across the western states, Pacific region, and internationally. Programs that are currently accredited by ACS-WASC must adhere to the credit acceptance policy for credit transfer and academic standards.

CMASAS meets the following ACS-WASC criteria:

• Aligning student learning goals with our school mission
• Creating a student-centered environment that fosters academic success
• Employing qualified faculty and offering a dynamic, standards-based curriculum
• Ensuring academic rigor and promoting student autonomy across diverse course offerings
• Emphasizing strategic planning and college/career readiness through personalized learning
• Maintaining a safe, inclusive online community with opportunities for peer interaction
• Welcoming objective evaluations from trained ACS-WASC peer reviewers