Accreditation

Accreditation

AdvancED (formerly known as SACS and SACS-CASI) is the accreditation agency for the Okaloosa County School District. Okaloosa County School District has been recognized as a district-wide accredited agency since December 9, 2006, with previous accreditations occurring at each individual school, with the oldest recorded school, Baker School, securing its initial accreditation in December 1923.

WHY DOES ACCREDITATION MATTER?

FOR STUDENTS

Students deserve the highest level of educational experience possible and benefit from their educational system’s commitment to raising student performance and accountability. Students that attend an accredited institution gain greater access to federal loans, scholarships, post-secondary education and military programs that require students attend an accredited institution.

FOR PARENTS

This ethic of excellence ensures that institutions will find rich benefits from accreditation and that parents can confidently make informed decisions about their children’s education, knowing their child’s school is accredited. Another advantage of accreditation is that it is recognized across state lines, which not only eases the transfer process as students move from accredited school to accredited school but also assures parents that the school is meeting nationally accepted standards of quality and successful professional practice.

FOR TEACHERS/STAFF

The accreditation process leads teachers to critically evaluate teaching and learning with a focus for academic excellence. By engaging in accreditation a school will move beyond the internal and isolated discussions about continuous school improvement and submit their educational environment to a rigorous process of analysis and evaluation. And though continuous school improvement is a formal, disciplined structure of continuous monitoring, evaluation, and adjustments, it is the tireless dedication of educators and administrators to the continuous improvement of our schools and students that leads to true organizational effectiveness.

FOR COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESSES

As a result of schools exhibiting educational excellence, communities are viewed as desirable for economic growth and business expansion.

LINKS

ACCREDITATION RESOURCES

Okaloosa County School District will continue to strive for excellence in education. District-wide accreditation, acknowledgment as a Quality System, has validated the district-wide system’s outstanding accomplishments as well as recognized the efforts of every Okaloosa County School District employee.