Since accreditation is a process, there are a number of steps that are to be undertaken by a school. The initial step involves three areas:
1.  A request for the accreditation materials from the American Association of Christian Schools' National Office.

2.  A consultative visit by a trained consultant.

3.  The filing of a formal application to enter the accreditation sequence.

Experience has shown that schools requesting the accreditation materials and scheduling a consultative visit do so because they are committed to quality in educational programming and because they judge the operational program to comply, at least generally, with the standards of the American Association of Christian Schools.

The second major step leading to accreditation involves the development of four policy manuals (administrative, academic, student/parent, and faculty). Completion of the manuals and curricular initiatives will facilitate the completion of the self-study. The school is also encouraged to consult with the National Office of the American Association of Christian Schools' Accreditation Director during the development of the policy manuals. Guidance can be provided for the applicant school in the development of the policy manuals.

The third major step involves responding to a series of objective and subjective questions listed in the self-study manual. The school faculty, staff, and constituents should participate at some level in responding to the self-study questions. The self-study guide is divided into nine sections:

1.  Philosophy, Goals, and Mission

2.  Administration and School Improvement

3.  Legal Structure, Policies, and Procedures

4.  Personnel

5.  Fiscal Management

6.  Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Assessment

7.  Students, Parents, and Community Relations

8.  Facilities and Safety

9.  Special Services

The time frame involved in responding to the self-study will range from three to twelve months. The contacts between the school and the National Office will give added assurance to the school.

The self-study, accompanied with the four policy manuals and a current faculty summary report, are sent to the National Office of the American Association of Christian Schools.

The fourth major step in the accreditation sequence is the on-site review by a committee of peers who serve in a consulting and recommending capacity. Because the accreditation team will be composed of experienced Christian educators, their written reports will prove to be of significant value to the school. The written statements of the on-site accreditation team will include factual reporting, but will also include recommendations for improving quality in the operational aspects of the program and a recommendation to the Accreditation Commission relative to accreditation for the school.

The last major step to the accreditation sequence is on-going, involving the maintenance of a quality program in these ways:

1.  Developing an internal school improvement program in light of the on-site review and in light of research related to quality educational programming. Accreditation is primarily a process of school improvement.

2.  Filing an annual report with the National Office of the American Association of Christian Schools.

3.  Preparing for the mid-accreditation consultative visit.

4.  Renewing the accreditation sequence during the fifth year of the accreditation period so that accreditation through the American Association of Christian Schools will not lapse.