The Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA) is the denominational accrediting authority for all educational institutions operated in the name of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It fosters close cooperation among the educational institutions of the Adventist system and effective working relationships with other educational organizations or institutions, accrediting agencies, and government departments of education.
The AAA provides a process by which the educational community holds an institution accountable for its own objectives. It assures the church and constituency that an accredited Adventist educational institution offers programs of quality to the youth of the church and provides professional personnel who meet both church and national/provincial standards. This process ensures a basis for reciprocity among Adventist schools.
The standards for accreditation of Seventh-day Adventist schools and early childhood programs are the basis for the evaluation and accreditation of all educational institutions in the North American Division.
The accreditation process:
- Assists each school in appraising the total program to determine the level to which the purposes and functions outlined in its statement of philosophy and goals for learner learning are accomplished, and the extent to which these purposes and functions address the standards for accreditation.
- Involves the administration, faculty, staff, local governing board, constituency, learners, and parents in a meaningful evaluation of the program.
- Provides an independent review of the Self-study Report.
- Provides the basis for action plans to address areas needing improvement.
- Provides the basis for determining a term of accreditation.
- Assists in providing external validation with regional and/or national accrediting associations.