School Accreditation Process

The bishops of the dioceses of Florida and the Diocese of Savannah, Georgia have determined that all parochial, interparochial, and regional Catholic elementary and special education schools be accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference Accreditation Program. Private Catholic schools, operating in a diocese, may request, through the diocesan superintendent, to be considered for membership. All schools are assessed annual dues based on student enrollment. After reviewing all factors associated with a school’s compliance with the standards for accreditation, the FCC Accreditation Committee shall determine membership status based on the guidelines set forth in the Policies and Procedures document:

1. Affiliate: An affiliate school is a new school which has not yet begun the process for accreditation. It pays annual dues, fills out the annual report, and moves toward compliance with the accreditation standards. A school may request moving to Candidate status within three years of its founding. It may remain at Affiliate status no more than seven (7) years from its founding.

The diocesan superintendent of schools notifies, in writing, the FCC Accreditation Committee of the existence of a new affiliate member in the (arch)diocese when:
 
a. a new Catholic parochial or diocesan elementary school is founded, or

b. a private Catholic school within the diocese requests affiliation.

2. Candidate: A candidate school is a school that has begun the initial process for accreditation. The school pays annual dues, fills out the annual report, and continues toward compliance with the accreditation standards. The school must complete all the requirements for accreditation within three years.
 
The principal applies to the FCC Accreditation Committee in writing when the school is ready to begin the process of initial accreditation. The diocesan superintendent verifies the school’s readiness for candidacy. The school is in full compliance with all standards, completes a school improvement plan, and hosts a visiting team. The Visiting Team verifies the school’s compliance with the accreditation standards and reviews and validates the school’s School Improvement Report. The Visiting Team makes a recommendation concerning the school’s accreditation to the FCC Accreditation Committee.

3. Full Member: A full member school is a school granted accreditation by the FCC Accreditation Committee with all rights and privileges. The school pays annual dues, fills out the annual report, and continues its compliance with the accreditation standards.

4. Associate: An associate school is a school which, in the judgment of the FCC Accreditation Committee, has lost its accreditation status due to extenuating circumstances. The school pays annual dues, fills out the annual report, and continues toward full compliance with the accreditation standards. The diocesan superintendent requests this special status from the FCC Accreditation Committee when circumstances warrant it

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