405-634-7778

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES MANUAL

FORWARD

 Each year, Christian schools are asked this question, "Are you an accredited school?" This question will become more important in the next few years due to the major changes taking place in the Educational System and the voucher programs being proposed by State and Federal governments.

 National Association of Private Schools has been organized in order that Private and Christian schools give an affirmative answer to the question of accreditation. Accredited status is earned through academic, technical, and overall excellence. An experienced educational peer group evaluates each school; professional educators who appreciate and understand the uniqueness of your educational program and ministry.

 Schools earning accreditation through National Association of Private Schools will appreciate the attainment of status and recognition.  Accreditation is a tribute to the fact that the staff and faculty of your school are effectively motivating students and operating a high quality educational program.

 In the Private School sector accreditation is optional.  However, many schools have seen the need for this status and have asked for a specialized accreditation program; a program geared to the Private School. They see this recognition as both a necessity and an advantage to their school. Community and Constituency will appreciate this commitment to excellence.

 INFORMATION

 National Association of Private Schools

 NAPS is an association of Private Schools and Educators organized to assist Private and Christian Schools establish third-party witness to the credibility of their performance.

 STANDARDS

 Standards will be qualitative, in contrast to quantitative. That is, approval will be determined more by the quality of achievement than by the number of tools used in the process.

 ACHIEVEMENT 

Measurements of achievement will be made by educational and spiritual peers: professional educators who are also members of the family of faith...the kind of people whose approval a Christian school seeks. Although there is often no relevance in the judgments of one who is alien to a system, there is relevance in the approval of one’s peers. Inasmuch as peers will make possible, on-site visits most closely related, both philosophically and geographically. 

Each school, upon receiving their accreditation, may be asked to evaluate other schools by on-site evaluation.

 ACCREDITATION 

NAPS accreditation will be largely determined by a comparison between a school’s published claims and its actual achievements: truth-in-packaging so-to-speak. For instance, if a school claims to produce one year of academic growth in each student, there should be documents on file to prove that result. "Does the school accomplish what it promises?" will be the polar star of the NAPS inquiry.     

AFFILIATION 

NAPS will, at the appropriate time, cooperate with other agencies whose affiliation would be beneficial to our common purpose. NAPS will be listed with departments of education and in other trans-national agencies already in operation. 

DOCTRINAL STATEMENT

Every Member School and Accredited School must subscribe to the following in faith and practice. 

1.  God is the eternal Creator, Sustainer, and Provider of all things. He created the universe, man and all things in it. 

2.  Jesus Christ is the only-begotten, virgin-born Son of God; He lived a sinless life, shed His blood for our sin, rose from the grave, ascended into heaven, and will return to the earth. He is the Lord and only Mediator, our Savior. 

3.  The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment; in believers he effects the new birth, indwells, fills, empowers, instructs and guides. 

4.  Salvation is God’s Grace received through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

5.  All men will be resurrected in the body; the saved unto life; and the lost unto damnation. 

6.  Believers have spiritual unity in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

7.  The Bible is the inspired, only infallible, authoritative preserved Word of God.  

ORGANIZATIONAL SCOPE AND PURPOSE

 The National Association of Private Schools was established to recognize Educational Institutions which have achieved a level of excellence and expertise and have established a credible reputation in the educational community. 

Each accredited member school’s basic educational program must be consistent with academic success. Accreditation standards must be met on a yearly basis. 

MEMBERSHIP FEES

(Schools that desire membership but not accreditation)  

Application Fee ...................................... $ 95.00                (due upon receipt of application) 

Certificate Fee ......................…………... $ 30.00                (due upon receipt of application) 

Annual Membership ............................... $ 95.00                (yearly thereafter) 

(Accredited Member Schools have membership with accreditation and their yearly accreditation fees.)

REQUIREMENTS OF ACCREDITATION 

Each educational institution approved for accreditation must submit the following: 

1.  EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY AND MISSION STATEMENT
A one-page explanation of the schools educational philosophy and mission statement. The schools educational philosophy and mission must hold to the belief, instruction and practice of traditional Biblical values and basic educational skills. These are central in helping a child to learn respect for the qualities of life needed to attain true success and to be a productive citizen of the United States. 

2.  INTERNAL ACCREDITATION STUDY REVIEW
Upon accreditation, each year, the school must submit the Internal Accreditation Study questionnaire for yearly accreditation.  The school must also maintain an updated Accreditation Verification Binder, which was required at the time of accreditation for review at any time. 

3.  EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION STATEMENT
A full explanation of required topics, which give credibility to the school program. 

4.  CONFIRMATION OF CREDIBILITY
Confirmation of Credibility is to be provided by each school by sending required items of certification in a Verification Binder, which proves the school’s educational credentials and credibility.   

EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION STATEMENT REQUIREMENTS 

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION STATUS 

The statement of educational institutional status gives the official name of the institution, its purpose, general services and certification of its desire to meet the traditional basic state and national course guidelines for education in the United States. 

BUSINESS STATUS 

The statement of business status gives the name of the institution, its business address, and where it is registered in the state. 

ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF 

The statement of administration and staff gives the educational qualifications and experience of the administrator and staff, of the school or institution. All administrators and educational staff personnel must have been trained and hold some certificate from an educational training agency for their school to be considered for accreditation. 

THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM 

The statement of the educational program gives general information concerning the school program and curriculum used by that school. 

CONFIRMATION OF CREDIBILITY 

The following items are to be submitted to confirm the credibility of the school institution applying for accreditation: 

1.  A copy of the school’s letterhead, and an envelope. 

2.  A copy of the institution’s registration document if registered. 

3.  A copy of all certificates and diplomas of persons who work with the institution. 

4.  A copy of the institution’s brochure and enrollment information. 

5.  A copy of the institution’s educational program. 

6.  A copy of the school’s educational policies and procedures. 

7.  A copy of the school’s course requirements for graduation. 

8.  A list of the items to be found in the institutions student cumulative folder. 

9.  A copy of a graduated student’s high school transcript.

10.  A copy of the High School Diploma issued by the school.

11.  Photographs of the educational and office facilities. 

12.  Three (3) letters of recommendation for accreditation.

13.  A List of the basic curriculums used by the institution.

    NEW SCHOOL ACCREDITATION 

The accreditation committee must approve schools for accreditation. Only existing schools may be accredited in the first year of their application process.  New schools may apply for accreditation in their second year of operation.  

GENERAL GUIDELINES 

The accreditation of any member school is subject to review and may be removed for any violation of confirmation.  

Unanimous consent is required by the Executive Board to change accreditation requirements. Rules or organizational changes may be made by a majority vote of the Executive Board.  

SCHOOLS APPLYING FOR ACCREDITATION  

Accredited schools will maintain an Evaluation-Check File with documentation proving:  

• Compliance with the laws applicable to them (and accepted by their peers).  

• Academic achievements promised and produced.  

• Yearly re-affirmation of the above.  

A copy of the Evaluation-Check File will be maintained in the NAPS office.  

After a school completes an Application (with required enclosures), an on-site visit will be scheduled. When the Evaluation-Check File is complete and accreditation is recommended, the school will become an Accredited Member. On-site visits will be updated every five years; or after any major change in the member school’s administration. The National Association of Private Schools reserves the right to withdraw membership or accreditation from any member, member school, or accredited school that departs from the scope and purpose of the association.  

SCHOOL ACCREDITATION FEES   

Annual Renewal Accreditation Fee: 

$195.00  

N.A.P.S. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

EXECUTIVE BOARD
The Executive Officers makes up the Executive Board.  The Executive Board is the voting body of the National Association of Private Schools.  The Executive Board may elect or appoint such offices or persons as needed to conduct the business of the organization.  In the case of a resignation or vacancy in an organizational office, the Executive Board majority may elect a new Officer or Executive Board Member.

ADVISORY COUNCIL  
The Advisory Council is the Legal and Professional support arm of the National Association of Private Schools.  The Executive Board appoints the Advisory Counsel.

ACCREDITATION COUNCIL  
Charter Members are held to be members of the Accreditation Council and such qualified individuals as may from time to time be appointed.  The Accreditation Council's function is advisory to the Executive Board.

[ home ]

Copyright © 1998-2006, The National Association of Private Schools