What does being accredited mean anyway?
Accreditation provides outside confirmation that NCA meets or exceeds current standards for education in every area.

What's the significance of dual accreditation?
Duals accreditation addresses the industry standards in education for all schools while also recognizing the unique expectations for Christian education. NEASC covers every operational aspect of the school, including whether and how effectively we address our chosen mission. ACSI specifically examines the spiritual side of our organization and community.

Can't my student get into college without a school being accredited?
Students can certainly gain acceptance to colleges and universities coming from a school without accreditation. The list of excellent post secondary institutions welcoming NCA graduates already is clear confirmation of that. A benefit for graduates in accreditation is that colleges and universities not familiar with NCA have confirmation of the level of education offered here from agencies known to them.

So what does dual accreditation say about NCA?
In their own words? - "The Commission (NEASC) commends the school (NCA) for presenting a unique, college preparatory experience for the Christian community in Nashua, for its service learning program, and for developing the mission abroad program as means of preparing students for their role in the world."

"We (ACSI) commend you and your entire team for the excellent program of Christian education that you provide for your students."

In 2008 NCA achieved something significant. After the better part of 2 years of hard work we received dual accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Association of Christian Schools International.

The process took almost 2 years of meetings, discussions, prayer, self-assessment, adjustments and a 4-day visit in which a dozen fellow educators looked into all the processes that make up NCA.

Throughout this time, over and over again, we saw God's hand guiding us. The 2 accrediting agencies, NEASC and ACSI both agreed that NCA offers an excellent educational program. And more importantly both agencies recognized NCA's unique difference – which we see as a desire to create a passion for God and compassion for people in all of our students, teachers and administrators.

NEASC is the regional accrediting agency that approves schools through the state of New Hampshire. This is the same agency that accredits other area schools such as Derryfield, Philips Exeter, Bishop Guertin, and the Nashua public schools.

ACSI is an international organization that accredits schools world-wide. Listed below are the specifics of what each agency looks for as they assess a school.

NEASC Accreditation –
Through it's Commission on Independent Schools, the New England Association of Schools relies on a voluntary, peer review process, to recommend candidate schools. This process takes 12 to 18 months and includes a self-assessment process, reviewing the schools effectiveness, improvement, and public assurance. They don't rank schools, but rather, establishes a level of acceptable quality for all accredited institutions.

Accreditation is a three step program including:

• A self study carried out by the school
• A four day visit carried out by a committee of educators
• A follow up program supervised by the Commission

The school in a serious self scrutiny demonstrates how it carries out its mission and meets Commission Standards. The Visiting Committee assures that the self study describes the school accurately, measures the school against the Standards and produces a report which will include commendations and recommendations. The follow up program provides the school the opportunity to use recommendations made in its own self study, and those of the visiting committee, to make appropriate improvements and move the school forward.

ACSI Accreditation –
ACSI accreditation is a self-study and analysis process, a comparison to established standards, an assessment of a school’s mission, a commitment to quality education, and a willingness to be accountable. Christian schools can use all of these components of the process to reach toward their goal of excellence in education. School accreditation is one of the most important steps in the school improvement process. This rewarding experience includes a thorough self-study culminating in a visit of educators visiting the school to validate the school’s findings.