National Council for Private School Accreditation

Upholding excellence in private education through national accreditation standards.

Member Portal
Our Mission

The National Council for Private School Accreditation advances educational excellence by ensuring that private school accrediting associations uphold the highest standards of quality, innovation, and consistency. Through rigorous peer review, professional collaboration, and continuous improvement, NCPSA empowers its member associations to guide schools toward authentic growth and enduring impact in their communities.

The Framework

A national framework for evaluating private school accreditors.

The National Council for Private School Accreditation unites and oversees diverse accrediting agencies that represent the full spectrum of private education. Through a rigorous, peer-reviewed process, NCPSA evaluates each agency's standards, operations, and integrity, essentially accrediting the accreditors, to ensure excellence, transparency, and accountability nationwide.

  • Recognized By states and governmental bodies as a trusted authority on private school accreditation.
  • Peer-Reviewed Every member agency undergoes structured peer evaluation to maintain standing.
  • Nationwide A framework that bridges private accrediting agencies and public institutions across the country.
A classical brick private school building on a sunlit day
The Work

What role does NCPSA play in accreditation?

  1. Tools & Resources

    NCPSA provides member accreditors with shared tools, guidance, and reference materials that strengthen the quality of their review processes. These resources help associations align on best practices while preserving the integrity of their own standards.

  2. Supports Diverse Models of Education

    Strong standards maintain quality while making space for variety, from classical academies to innovative hybrid programs. NCPSA's framework respects each association's mission while holding each to a shared level of excellence.

  3. Promotes Trust & Accountability

    Clear standards create confidence. Families, educators, and government agencies rely on accreditation as a mark of integrity. Standards ensure that schools operate transparently, ethically, and with a deep commitment to student success.

  4. Ensures Academic Excellence

    Accreditation standards safeguard the quality of instruction, curriculum, and leadership. They ensure that every accredited school delivers a rigorous, mission-aligned education that prepares students not only for college and career, but for life.

36 Member Associations
8,000+ Schools
3.5 Million Students
From the Director

When schools, educators, and accreditors work together with accountability, it's the students who benefit the most, because when we hold each other to a standard of excellence, the kids win, and ultimately, so does the world.

Clayton J. Petry Executive Director, NCPSA
Main Video Overview

Accrediting the Accreditors: The Standard of Quality in Private Education

The Membership Lifecycle

The path of an NCPSA member association.

From initial recognition through ongoing peer review, each member agency moves through four stages of accountability that sustain the integrity of NCPSA accreditation.

  1. 01

    Member Association Requirements

    NCPSA convenes a nationwide network of accrediting bodies, each grounded in distinct educational traditions, philosophies, and regional contexts. Shared standards honor this diversity while upholding a common commitment to academic rigor and institutional integrity.

  2. 02

    Self-Evaluation

    Each member agency undergoes a structured self-evaluation of its internal operations, accreditation standards, and review procedures, ensuring alignment with NCPSA's expectations for ethical governance and accountability.

  3. 03

    Peer Review

    Trained peer reviewers from other NCPSA-recognized associations examine how each agency applies its standards, conducts school evaluations, and enforces accountability, ensuring consistency, transparency, and impartiality.

  4. 04

    Advancement

    Membership is not a one-time achievement. Associations must demonstrate ongoing improvement in how they serve schools, evolve their standards, and respond to emerging educational needs over time.

Resources

Tools and guidance for accrediting bodies, state agencies, and the families they serve.