Microschools Deserve “Different”: Next Generation Accreditation

Innovative school models like microschools, mastery-based learning centers, and other creative approaches are transforming learning. Yet traditional accreditation wasn’t built for these pioneers.

Agile microschools don’t always depend on the things assumed by traditional accreditation, such as fixed infrastructures, administrative teams, and common operating models. In fact, those features can work at cross-purposes with a microschool’s innovative model.

At Middle States, we recognize this disconnect. Microschool leaders have told us that existing accreditation protocols:

• Demand excessive documentation that small teams struggle to produce
• Cost more than fledgling schools can reasonably afford
• Follow evaluation timelines that don’t match the agility of innovative models
• Focus on traditional metrics that miss the unique strengths of alternative approaches

So we decided to do something about it.

We custom-built a Next Generation Accreditation protocol for innovative school models like microschools to:

• Provide flexibility in how schools demonstrate their effectiveness
• Introduce more relevant evidence to align with innovative models
• Demonstrate that microschools can meet the Middle States Standards for Accreditation
• Offer the most cost-effective path to accreditation. Annual dues for the coming school year will range from $650 - $775. During an accreditation year, there is an additional $500 accreditation team visit fee and reimbursements for the visiting team—we keep the team small and the visit short to limit these expenses. Middle States does not require schools to purchase additional services or materials.

Next Generation Accreditation was born from our purpose: We are here to inspire wise change in schools. We know from experience that what is wise for one microschool may not be wise for a different school…and we are here for it.

Questions? Reach out to Adam Lavallee, Associate Vice President for Next Generation Accreditation, at: alavallee@msa-cess.org 

Ready to explore how Next Generation Accreditation can support wise change at your microschool? Express your interest here. Note that the deadline to apply for our initial cohort is May 29, 2025.

Christian Talbot is the President & CEO of the Middle States Association, a 501c3 non profit. Middle States is the second oldest K12 accreditor in the world. It has been guiding schools since 1887.