Why International Accreditation Matters

As a parent, choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make. When considering a school, it is important to look beyond the academic programmes and extracurricular activities and consider the school's accreditation status. 

Accreditation is a process that schools undergo to ensure that they meet highest standards of quality in education.Accreditation is avoluntary process, and schools must meet rigorous standards and undergo regular evaluations to maintain their accreditation status. The core standards of the accreditation normally include school purpose and direction, Governance, leadership and ownership, The Curriculum, Teaching and Assessing for Learning, Student Learning & Well-being, Staffing, Premises & Physical Accommodation, Community & Home Partnerships, Boarding/ Homestay/Residential. 

Being an accredited school is a mark of quality and excellence in education.Accredited schools have been evaluated by an independent accrediting organisation and have met or exceeded the organisation's standards for quality education. 

At our school, we are proud to be accredited by several prestigious accrediting organizations, including COBIS, IB, NEASC and CIS. These organisations have evaluated our school and have recognised our commitment to providing high-quality education to our students. 

CIS (Council of International Schools) is a membership organisation for international schools around the world. It was founded in 1965 and is based in the Netherlands. CIS represents over 1300 member schools in more than 120 countries, providing support, guidance, and accreditation services to help schools achieve their educational goals.

CIS accreditation is a rigorous and comprehensive process that evaluates a school's educational programme, governance, and management practices against a set of international standards. Accreditation is designed to ensure that schools meet high standards of quality and effectiveness, and that they are providing students with a world-class education.

NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) is a regional accreditation organisation based in the United States. It was founded in 1885 and is one of the oldest and most respected accreditation organisations in the country. NEASC accredits schools and colleges in the six New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont； and in more than 85 countries around the world. A globally recognized standard of excellence, NEASC Accreditation attests to a school’s high quality and integrity.

NEASC accreditation is a voluntary process that schools and colleges can undertake to demonstrate that they meet high standards of educational quality and effectiveness. Accreditation is based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes a self-study by the institution, a site visit by a team of trained evaluators, and a review by the NEASC Commission on Institutions of Higher Education or the NEASC Commission on International Education.

Léman International School Chengdu was accredited by CIS and NEASC in 2016. We are one of the only six accredited international schools by NEASC in China. The other five schools are International School of Beijing, Western Academy of Beijing, UWC Changshu China, Yew Chung International School of Shanghai and Suzhou Singapore International School.

COBIS (Council of British International Schools) is a membership association of British international schools. It was founded in 1981 and is based in London, UK. COBIS represents over 300 member schools in more than 80 countries, providing support, training, and networking opportunities for teachers, school leaders, and educational organizations. We have received the accreditation in 2022. COBIS accredited membership enables our school to access the world-leading quality assurance. Students and staff of Léman International School Chengdu will be further supported through the COBIS global network and provided with varieties of opportunities for student activities, staff professional development, CPD courses, safeguarding and the school’s continuous improvement etc.

We are also an accrediated IB world School since 2014. We are fully authorised to offer IB Diploma Programme and IB Middle Years Programme. We are part of a global community of schools committed to developing knowledge, caring young people who will be ready to negotiate their futures successfully and make contributions resulting in a more harmonious and peaceful world.

Accreditation provides several benefits to students and families. First, it ensures that the school is meeting high standards of quality in education. Accredited schools must meet rigorous standards in areas such as curriculum, faculty qualifications, student support services, and facilities.

In addition, accreditation provides a level of assurance to parents that their child's education is being delivered by a reputable institution. Accredited schools have been evaluated by an independent organisation, which provides an objective evaluation of the school's programs and services.

Furthermore, accreditation can provide students with greater opportunities for academic and career success. Many colleges and universities prefer to admit students from accredited schools, as these schools are recognised for providing high-quality education. Additionally, employers often prefer to hire graduates from accredited schools, as they are confident that these graduates have received a quality education that has prepared them for the workforce.

Finally, accreditation provides a framework for continuous improvement. Accredited schools are required to undergo regular evaluations and assessments to ensure that they are meeting or exceeding the accrediting organisation's standards. This process encourages schools to continuously improve their programs and services to better serve their students' needs.