Winning an award is often a mark of excellence. It shows that the individual or organization has achieved a level of distinction in his, her or its field. It means that one’s peers have determined that the individual or organization stands out from among all others. It is a symbol that the individual or organization’s work or product is something of quality and value. This is why it is with great pride that Dade Prep Academy announces that it has received accreditation from Cognia.
What is Cognia?
Cognia is a non-profit global network of educators working in primary and secondary education. It is comprised of over 36,000 educational institutions in over 90 countries, including ones in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia. About the only place where there isn’t a Cognia member is in Antarctica. The organization has been built over 125 years, and comprises such legacy organizations as NCA CASI (North Central Association of Colleges and Schools), NWAC (Northwest Accreditation Commission), and SACS CASI (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools).
Cognia educators are responsible for teaching over 18 million students worldwide, including ones right here in Florida. From its headquarters in Tempe, Arizona, Cognia helps these member educators by setting standards, policies and processes for proper learning in primary and secondary educational environments. Dade Prep Academy is proud to be a Cognia member and to have received accreditation from this important organization.
What is Cognia accreditation?
Like many professional fields, educators and educational institutions need to show that they are qualified to teach your children properly. Joining Cognia and becoming accredited by this non-profit organization is a key part of this process. This is not unlike physicians getting certified by local medical boards and joining the American Medical Association, or lawyers being admitted to the bar in their state and joining the American Bar Association. It is also similar to local businesses being highly rated by the Better Business Bureau or the Chamber of Commerce. Cognia accreditation is a way to let parents like you know that Dade Prep Academy is a place where your children will get an excellent education.
The Cognia accreditation process is quite rigorous. A school like Dade Prep will apply to Cognia to begin the process, showing that it follows Cognia Performance Standards. Cognia will then begin an intensive review of the educational institution to make sure that it complies. This probes the entire school, looking at things like learning conditions, scholastic culture, policies and procedures, and the staff. This is truly a holistic approach.
Typically, an institution can take up to six years to earn Cognia accreditation. This is because Cognia is looking for the school to institute all of the key standards and to perform a self-evaluation. The goal is to get the institution to engage in continuous improvement activities. This is why the process encompasses three phases: self-assessment, engagement, and progress.
The first step begins with the self-assessment. Cognia experts work with the scholastic institution to go over its policies and standards. These experts collaborate with team members at the school to identify strengths and weaknesses. This allows the school to identify areas for improvement, while understanding the resources it has to make such improvements.
The second step is an engagement review. Cognia assigns an evaluator to the school to go over the evidence and data provided by the school. This information will be analyzed by the evaluator in the context of Cognia’s performance standards and rubrics. By carefully reviewing the information, the Cognia evaluator can guide the school in the areas where it needs to improve in order to continue to develop and, ultimately, gain accreditation. This is contained in an Engagement Review Report, which is shared with the school’s team. Cognia’s Global Commission will review the Engagement Review Report in order to confirm the findings of the report. It also makes sure that the educational institution is committed to providing quality education to its students.
The final phase is progress. Cognia accreditation is not a one time honor. Instead, the Cognia evaluator will continue to visit the school to assess its status. This includes the commitment of the school to continuous improvement efforts, and willingness to sustain momentum toward the goals established in the Engagement Review Report. Once a school like Dade Prep Academy receives Cognia accreditation, it is making a commitment to continue the process to maintain this accreditation.
What does Cognia accreditation mean for you?
Choosing the right school for your children is one of the most important parts of being a parent. We all want to see our kids thrive in an educational environment that brings out the best in them. This is not only finding a school that is academically strong. It also means locating a school with a culture that is committed to accepting your child with a staff that is willing to engage in constant growth.
Cognia accreditation shows that Dade Prep Academy is committed to the process of constant improvement. We are not willing to sit back and relax about our prior achievements. Instead, at Dade Prep, we understand that a big part of being educators is constantly working to make our school better for your child. Being part of the ongoing Cognia assessment process allows us to do this by continuously challenging ourselves to make Dade Prep Academy the best it can possibly be for all of our students.
Our membership with Cognia also helps us by joining a network of other educational institutions around the country and across the world. Each of us has something to learn from others, and we can share our educational training techniques, helping others, while we help your children and ourselves.
Cognia accreditation shows that you are at the right school
With School Choice now going into effect across Florida, parents like you are met with the challenge of deciding the best scholastic program for your children in primary and secondary schools. The process can often be confusing, as you now have more influence in the decision-making than ever before. By choosing a Cognia accredited school like Dade Prep Academy, you are helping to take the mystery out of the process. Choosing Dade Prep Academy let’s you know that your children will get a top-notch education in a very supportive environment.
Sources:
https://www.cognia.org/services/accreditation-certification/
