What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a process in which certification of competency, authority, or credibility is presented.
Educational accreditation is a process of quality assurance under which services and operations of educational institutions or programs are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met. If standards are met, accredited status is granted by the agency.
In most countries in the world, the function of educational accreditation is conducted by a government organization, such as a ministry of education. In the United States, however, a quality assurance process exists that is independent of government and performed by private peer membership associations. Since TAS is an American international school, we are seeking accreditation with The Western Association of Schools and Colleges, one of six regional accrediting bodies in the US. WASC is responsible for accreditation of schools in California, Hawaii, and international schools in East Asia with an American curriculum.
Accreditation is a mark of trustworthiness of a school鈥檚 academic program. Once an American school is accredited by one of the six regional accrediting bodies, such as WASC, it is looked at by other schools and institutions of higher education as a trusted school whose transcripts are then readily accepted by all other accredited schools. While international students from unaccredited schools are able to apply for entrance into schools and universities in America and abroad, the stamp of approval from WASC indicating that a school is accredited makes the transfer and application process much more fluid.
What is WASC?
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is one of six regional associations that accredit public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the United States. Through its peer review processes, WASC confirms that an institution as a whole has in place the resources and practices to achieve its educational goals and has provided evidence of the quality of its educational programs.
The WASC accreditation process is a multi-year endeavor that includes:
Institutions elect to undergo accreditation review for several reasons besides assurance of quality and adherence to academic standards. Accreditation is also important for the acceptance and transfer of high school and college credit. Generally, high school or college credits or degrees received at a regionally accredited institution are accepted by other regionally accredited schools, colleges, or universities.
The accreditation process does not end with Initial Accreditation. Once granted, the institution is subject to periodic review and to conditions as determined by the WASC Commission. Every accredited institution files an annual report, undergoes a comprehensive self review and evaluation and is visited at least every ten years. As a matter of Commission policy, Initial Accreditation requires institutional self review and peer evaluation no more than six years after the date of the Commission action granting such status.
533 Airport Blvd., Suite 200, Burlingame, CA 94010
Phone: (650) 696-1060
鈥淭AS provided me with a lot of knowledge and soft skills. Studying at TAS gave me the opportunity to experience many extracurricular activities and a wide range of clubs. The learning environment and the community at TAS reflected the strong bond between teachers and students; everyone was very willing to support and help one another.鈥�
Class of 2020
"When I first came to TAS, it was in ninth grade. I really love TAS. I love the relationship that the students have. The teachers are really helpful, and will do anything for your grades to go up. I have a lot of friends. Most of the people in the school are really nice, really friendly."
Class of 2021