Council of International Schools Accreditation - What is It?

The award of C.I.S. accreditation
shows that :

The school is devoted to its mission. It cares enough about what it does to seek validation by a recognized accreditation authority.

The school knows itself. It has thought deeply about the services it offers to students, family and community.

The school is student-orientated. Its philosophy of education is suitable for the students on roll, and encompasses the development of the whole individual.

The school accepts objective assessment. It is prepared to open its doors periodically to regular evaluation by the school community and by outside experienced evaluators.

The school is constantly seeking to improve its performance in curricular and other areas.

The school plans for the future. As part of the on-going nature of the evaluation process, accredited schools are continually planning future developments.

Accreditation ensures that the school
meets the demanding C.I.S. standards
in all these areas:

  • Philosophy & Objectives
  • Curriculum
  • Governance and Management
  • Staff
  • Student Support Services
  • Resources
  • Student and Community Life

To achieve accredited status the
school had to:

  • Undergo a Preliminary or Preparatory Visit to determine its readiness for the accreditation process
  • Carry out an in-depth Self-Study over a one to two-year period
  • Host a Visiting Team of professionals from other institutions who examined all aspects of the school's operations
  • Demonstrate that it delivers that which it promises in its own Philosophy & Objectives
  • Demonstrate that it meets the rigorous Standards for Accreditation laid down by C.I.S.
In becoming accredited the school joined a growing network of other institutions worldwide which are dedicated to providing a high quality education in an international context.

Since the European Council of International Schools (ECIS) began the School Evaluation and Accreditation Programme in 1970, more than 160 schools have achieved accredited status. Responsibility for the programme was transferred to the Council of International Schools (C.I.S.) in July 2003, and the number of schools involved continues to grow.

More information can be found on the C.I.S. web site

View our C.I.S. Self-Study Major Statement of Conclusion document below or in the Navigation Menu.

The Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa

ISASA is the largest association of independent schools in South Africa and the Southern African region. Independent schools are also known as private schools.

ISASA represents more than 460 independent schools in South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia, Angola and Mozambique. Over 120,000 learners attend ISASA-affiliated schools.

ISASA schools provide quality, value-based education to over 150,000 pupils. ISASA delivers fifty professional services to its 715 diverse school members.

ISASA's vision is of a Southern Africa in which quality education is provided to all learners, the value of independent education in contributing to this goal is recognised, and a value-based, public-spirited community of diverse, high quality independent schools is developed.

ISASA's mission is to articulate the value of independent education, to promote the common interests of its members, and to provide professional services that will enhance their contribution to education in Southern Africa.

For further information please vist the ISASA web site.


Accreditation , Northside Primary School, Gaborone, Botswana......back to top

Web site designed and administered by Nicola Holgate