Catholic Schools

Supporting Your Mission

The Catholic schools’ mission and vision guide the actions and decisions made by every stakeholder in its school community. Cognia Performance Accreditation supports this commitment by applying our rigorous performance standards to the context of Catholic schools.

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Committed to serving Catholic schools for over 100 years

For more than a century, Cognia Accreditation has supported Catholic schools with unparalleled expertise, resources, and diagnostic tools. Currently, 1,200 Catholic schools nationwide turn to us because we offer:

Accreditation and certification like no other

  • A structured three-part accreditation journey takes you through holistic self-assessment, engagement, and progress for continuous improvement.
  • Our globally recognized competency-based education (CBE) and STEM certifications include specific frameworks for strong and effective programs.
  • Early learning (EL) accreditation and EL STEM certification set young children on a path toward expanded opportunities.

A deep understanding of Catholic schools

  • Cognia Performance Standards and Catholic School Identity Surveys are aligned with the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Schools (NSBECS).
  • Our dedicated Catholic team of seasoned educators share the values of Catholic education.

Standards that accelerate improvement

  • Cognia’s rigorous, research-based standards and evidence-based criteria probe the whole institution.
  • We craft standards with flexibility so they can be applied to your school’s unique ethos and education model.

Valuable resources and recognition

  • Unsurpassed tools and resources, including online professional development in the Cognia Learning Community, support your improvement efforts.
  • With Cognia Accreditation, your students easily can transfer credits, and colleges and universities will accept their diplomas.
  • Enjoy recognition with the highly regarded Cognia Accreditation seal and the opportunity for special distinction as a Cognia School or System of Distinction.

Catholic accreditation agency partnerships

Receive dual accreditation through our Synchronized Accreditation Program with our highly reputable partners.

Your relationship with Cognia matters.

Our dedicated Catholic schools team is here to assist you.
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Loyola Academy

professional development for teachers

Loyola Academy, a Catholic, Jesuit college preparatory high school on the North Shore of Chicago, formed an accreditation partnership with Cognia that has lasted for more than a century.
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Surrendering to Your Passion for Education and Service with Diane Starkovich, Ph.D.

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Principals: Thoughtful Approaches to Maximize Professional Learning Outcomes

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Staying current for today’s students

The world of education, including Catholic education, has changed since Cognia introduced our surveys. A thorough review of the Catholic Identity Surveys is underway and will ensure alignment with the updated National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools (NSBECS) and current Cognia Performance Standards.

Similarly, we recently updated our Culture and Climate surveys to align with our new standards. These updates will ensure the survey language reflects new understandings of best practice and will provide Catholic institutions with proven tools to significantly impact continuous improvement in meaningful ways.

Bringing the standards to life through a Catholic lens

Cognia supports and embraces Catholic schools’ mission and identity in the accreditation experience. Aligning Cognia Performance Standards and the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Elementary and Secondary Catholic Schools (NSBECS) represents the unique context of Catholic education and provides a nationally accepted recognition of quality. Every six years, you will renew your accreditation to ensure ongoing, continuous improvement.

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Self-Assessment

  • Participate in orientation and training from Cognia

  • Reflect and collaborate on your school’s current status

  • Administer Cognia Catholic Identity Program Effectiveness and Culture and Climate Survey

  • Identify, collect, and analyze meaningful evidence and data

  • Complete Cognia Self-Assessment Workbook using the Cognia/ NSBECS Standards Alignment as a guide

  • Complete Cognia Diagnostics and Assurances

Engagement

  • Cognia evaluators schedule the Leadership Overview Presentation, review submitted evidence, and rate Performance Standards

  • Following evaluation, you’ll receive an Engagement Review Report that details Cognia’s findings, highlights your noteworthy practices, and identifies areas for improvement

  • Cognia Global Commission confirms that the findings in the report demonstrate your institution’s commitment and quality and confers your accreditation

Progress

  • Cognia evaluators schedule follow-up for your institution to assess the status of your continuous improvement efforts

  • Receive continued collaboration and guidance from your Cognia team

  • Toward the middle of your accreditation term, complete the institution’s part of the Progress Report, describing your improvements in the areas outlined in your Engagement Review Report

Ready to learn more?

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