Accreditation

Christ Episcopal School is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS) and Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools (SAES) and holds membership in the National Association of Episcopal Schools and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Christ Episcopal School is the only school in St. Tammany Parish that is accredited by either ISAS or SAES.

What is an independent school?

Independent schools are nonprofit private schools that are independent in philosophy: each is driven by a unique mission. They are also independent in the way they are managed and financed: each is governed by an independent board of trustees and each is primarily supported through tuition payments and charitable contributions. They are accountable to their communities and are accredited by state-approved accrediting bodies. (Source: National Association of Independent Schools)

What is ISAS?

The Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS) is a regional association of 86 schools in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Mexico enrolling more than 44,000 students.

ISAS requires a rigorous and comprehensive accreditation process to assist member schools in their commitment to the higher standards in student growth, curriculum design, instructional methods, and faculty development.

All member schools subscribe to the ISAS Standards for Membership and share fundamental characteristics of purpose, structure, and operation that define the schools’ independence.

While each school has a unique mission statement, member schools collaborate and promote high standards through the professional association of their school heads, business managers, principals, academic leaders, and admission officers.

Christ Episcopal School is one of just 11 ISAS schools in the Greater New Orleans area. Others include:

  • Academy of the Sacred Heart
  • Isidore Newman
  • Louise S. McGehee
  • Metairie Park Country Day
  • St. Paul’s Episcopal
  • St. Andrew’s Episcopal
  • St. George’s Episcopal
  • St. Martin’s Episcopal
  • Stuart Hall School for Boys
  • Trinity Episcopal

What is SAES?

The mission of the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools (SAES) is to lead, nurture, and unify Episcopal schools in order to advance educational excellence within the faith community of the Episcopal Church. SAES is not only the single religious affiliated accrediting association recognized by the NAIS Accreditation Commission, but also the only Episcopal accrediting association in the United States. Both of these factors combine to place SAES in a unique position to serve Episcopal schools both inside and outside its current six-state region.

Why choose an accredited school?

Accreditation by the ISAS and SAES organizations ensures that the school has undergone a rigorous program of self-study and analysis, has been investigated by representatives of the organizations, and has met the criteria for membership. The process of accreditation is a valuable one, enabling schools to develop and pursue clearly defined goals and objectives for the future. Accreditation addresses institutional integrity and resource management, while respecting differences in school populations, mission, and cultures. Accreditation must be renewed every 10 years. Christ Episcopal School was re-accredited during the 2014-2015 school year.