Seeking meaningful, values-aligned accreditation for your grassroots microschool?
Meridian accreditation is a values-aligned, non-governmental quality assurance pathway for grassroots microschools. We offer three tiers of professional accreditation, each affirming your school’s commitment to intentional, learner-centered practice. The first tier outlines your school’s commitment to elevating the grassroots microschool model by adhering to characteristics listed here. Additionally, the school should be organized and legally operating.
Second-tier accreditation invites a more collaborative process within your learning community, engaging teachers, learners, and administrative staff in reflection and shared accountability. Microschools seeking third-tier accreditation participate in a multi-month process that includes a professional peer review and culminates in an accreditation summary.
Each accreditation is a customized offering. Once we receive your completed application, we’ll contact you to confirm the tier best suited for your school. The typical accreditation takes between 1 and 3 months after submitting all requested documents and information. Please note that accreditation is available to Galaxy and Constellation level members only. Explore membership options here.
- School application
- Video meeting with a Meridian Learning accreditation representative
- School application
- Detailed school report outlining how your school meets five professional standards:
mission, strategic planning, community accountability, fiscal responsibility, and educational best practice - Video meeting with a Meridian Learning accreditation representative
- School application
- Detailed school report
- Collaborative peer review
- Video meeting with a Meridian Learning accreditation representative
Benefits of Accreditation
- serves as recognition for your dedication to the learning community you serve and your intentional efforts to sustain it
- provides confidence among prospective and current families that your school meets and exceeds high quality standards
- enhances your school’s commitment to meaningful learning through third party evaluation
- highlights your school’s commitment to elevating the grassroots microschool community
- stimulates improvement through collective reflection
- helps establish the grassroots microschool model as a high-quality, sustainable approach for the 21st century and beyond
How We’re Exceptional
Our commitment to advancing the grassroots microschool movement led us to design a meaningful, values-aligned accreditation pathway for independent schools.
Launched in 2020, this offering came to fruition after several years of conversation, evaluation, and planning. As the first resource and advocacy organization for grassroots microschools in the country—and the first to launch a grassroots microschool network—our experience is deep and unmatched.
Through our work with dozens of aspiring, new, and veteran microschool leaders, as well as our own experience starting and sustaining grassroots micro lab schools for more than 15 years, we’ve learned what it takes to build a microschool not only rooted in meaningful learning, but built to stand the test of time.
We look forward to guiding you on your journey to professional accreditation.
Questions? Browse our FAQ page or contact us at accreditation@meridian-learning.org.