Accreditation and Affiliations

What is accreditation and why is it important?

Accreditation supports school development and improvement as schools evaluate their programs and policies. When schools meet the requirements or criteria set forth by the outside accrediting organization or agency, they are given accreditation. For you as parents, having your child attend an accredited school in Ho Chi Minh City is important because it ensures that other schools, universities and colleges will recognize and accept your child's credits or high school diploma.

Who accredits SSIS and how?

SSIS is a WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accredited school. WASC is one of six regional accreditation organizations based in the US. By requiring schools to participate in a self study using the accreditation criteria and policies and periodic evaluations of a school's quality by qualified peer professionals, it ensures reflection of programs and policies in an effort towards school improvement. A full accreditation cycle is six-years.

Who is involved?

The whole school community is involved in a self study. Administrators, teachers, student and parents serve on focus groups to review the entire school program under the headings of: Organization, Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, Student Support and Resource Management. Members of each of these groups are responsible for assessing the entire school program and its effect relative to school-wide learner outcomes, academic standards and WASC criteria.

Community and educational surveys sent by the Head of School ensures that all stakeholders are viewpoints are considered. Parents and students are involved evidence gathering and data collection. Please see our Data in a Day video above to learn more.

When does it happen?

The self-study process is ongoing. Since our last WASC accreditation visit in 2011, the SSIS administration, teachers, parents and students have been involved in ongoing assessment of learner outcomes, stakeholder feedback, and the implementation of our strategic plan. There was a mid-cycle review in 2014, and in March 2017 SSIS will have their next full visit.