The Northwest Accreditation Commission facilitates the appropriate application, review, and recognition of qualified and credible third-party accrediting associations serving private schools. There are currently nine agencies engaged in a third party relationship with NWAC:

•  Assembly of God (ACTS)
• Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)

• Christian Schools International (CSI)

• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

• National Independent Private Schools Association (NIPSA)

• National Lutheran Schools (NLSA)

• Pacific Northwest Association of Independent School (PNAIS)

• Seventh Day Adventists (SDA)

• Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) 

(Links to the respective web sites are found on the NWAC web site on the Links page) 

Northwest Accreditation Commission Policies and procedures and supporting materials clearly outline the Third-party Accreditation process and procedures. The Northwest Accreditation Commission Policies and Procedures Manual can be found on the Publications page

Following an initial application to the Northwest Accreditation Commission and approval by the Commission the agencies report annually those schools recommended to receive Northwest Accreditation. The schools would have completed the respective annual report, completed a self-study and been approved by the agencies’ accreditation commissions. Every three years the agency provides an interim report to a Northwest Accreditation Commission Committee of Accreditation Directors (CAD) sub-committee to provide updates related to the NWAC policies and procedures regarding Third-Party Accreditation. This procedure is facilitated through the office of the associate director of the Commission. The sub-committee has the opportunity for questions and clarification of the agencies’ process.

The following outline provides an overview of the Third-party process. Questions may be directed to Leonard Paul, NWAC Associate Director at len@northwestaccreditation.org or at Info@NorthwestAccreditation.org.

The third-party accreditation agency has an established procedure to report the following to the Commission on Schools. 

Annually:

• Report the condition or status of each of its member schools (on the Accreditation Summary for the Northwest Accreditation Commission). This form is due annually on November 1.

• Have each school submit a data update form to NWAC annually.

• Stand willing to have any one of its third-party schools allow a NWAC representative to attend the exit meeting at the conclusion of an on-site visit.

• Review changes in the NWAC Standards and Annual Report to assure that its standards and assessment materials are in compliance.

• Assure that its schools are meeting their financial obligation (payment of dues) to Northwest Accreditation Commission.

Tri Annually:

• Report the third-party accreditation agency’s compliance with NWAC requirements.

As necessary:

• Report substantial change of the third-party accreditation agency to the Northwest Commission on Schools.

Approximately 300 schools representing the third party agencies receive Northwest Accreditation via this process. The Northwest Accreditation Commission is proud of these partnerships.