Why School Accreditation Matters: A Parent’s Guide

When choosing a school, parents consider many things: teachers, curriculum, class size, campus culture, location, and, of course, whether their child seems happy and comfortable there. But there is another important factor that may be less obvious during a campus tour: accreditation. Accreditation can provide families with something especially valuable when making a big decision — an independent measure of confidence.

What Does It Mean for a School to Be Accredited?

Simply put, accreditation means that an outside organization has carefully reviewed a school and determined that it meets established standards for a high-quality educational institution.

It isn't based on a brief visit or a checklist completed by the school itself. Accreditation organizations look closely at how a school operates, teaches, plans for the future, supports its students, and fulfills its stated mission.

For parents, that outside perspective matters. Every school can tell you what it values and what it does well. Accreditation means experienced educators from outside the school have taken a close look, too. That stamp of approval is also used by high schools and colleges to determine whether they will admit your child.  

A Much Deeper Look Than a Campus Tour

At Foothill Country Day School, our Preschool–8th Grade program is accredited by both the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

The accreditation process is intentionally rigorous. Our most recent review began with approximately a year of intensive self-study, during which our school examined virtually every aspect of its program and operations. That was followed by a multi-day campus visit from a team of experienced school administrators and educators from across California. They visited classrooms, spoke with members of our community, reviewed our practices and programs, and evaluated the school against established standards.

Following that process, Foothill received a seven-year accreditation, the longest term awarded.

"[A] professional group of faculty and staff…paired with an experienced and collaborative leadership team proves the school with a rare level of continuity and stability, directly enhancing the student experience.”   
-from California Association of Independent Schools 2026 Accreditation Final Report

Perhaps just as important, accreditation isn't about earning a stamp of approval and then putting it away for seven years. The process asks schools to continually evaluate themselves, identify opportunities for growth, and demonstrate progress over time.

Even Our Youngest Learners Have an Additional Standard

Foothill's preschool division, The Seedling School, also holds accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), one of the country's leading organizations devoted to high-quality early childhood education. NAEYC accreditation looks specifically at the experience of young children, including areas such as relationships, teaching, curriculum, health, staff preparation, family partnerships, and the learning environment.

For parents choosing a preschool, that additional layer of outside review can be especially reassuring.

What Accreditation Means for Your Family

No accreditation can tell you which school is the perfect fit for your individual child. That decision will always be personal. What accreditation can tell you is that you aren't relying solely on what a school says about itself. When you choose an accredited school, you know that independent educational professionals have examined the school closely, asked difficult questions, measured it against established standards, and held it accountable for continuing to improve.

For parents entrusting a school with something as important as their child's education, that's a credential worth looking for.

Want to learn more about Foothill Country Day School?

Foothill Country Day School is a preschool through 8th grade school in Claremont California. Founded in 1954 by Howell Webb as a private independent school, Foothill offers the best education in the Inland Empire. We are educating the next generation of society's leaders in an environment of inclusivity and respect for all cultures. No matter what their talents, or what paths our students choose, they have the tools to become leaders. Get to know Foothill on our website and on Facebook & Instagram.