🏅 What is Meridian accreditation?
Meridian accreditation is a values-aligned, non-governmental quality assurance pathway for grassroots microschools. Offered exclusively to Galaxy and Constellation‑level members, it affirms intentional, learner-centered educational practices through a three-tiered process of professional accreditation.
📊 What are the accreditation tiers and costs?
Tier 1 – $275 / valid for 3 years
Includes a short application and video meeting.
Tier 2 – $450 / valid for 3 years
Includes the Tier 1 process plus a written school report covering five professional standards.
Tier 3 – $850 / valid for 3 years
Includes everything in Tier 2 plus a collaborative peer review process with other educational leaders.
⏱️ How long does accreditation take?
Tier 1: Typically completed within 4–6 weeks after submission of all required documents. This includes the school application, an interview with the microschool leader, and a virtual tour.
Tier 2: Includes a detailed school report across five standards, plus a video meeting. Because schools often take more time to thoughtfully prepare and submit this report, the timeline is paced to fit your school’s readiness and thoughtful reflection.
Tier 3: Adds a collaborative peer review to the Tier 2 components. Bringing multiple microschool leaders together means the timeline is intentionally flexible to ensure meaningful dialogue, review, and feedback.
🌎 Is accreditation available nationwide or just in Ohio?
Meridian accredits grassroots microschools across the United States and internationally. While state-specific regulations may vary, our accreditation is intentionally designed to provide professional recognition of educational quality, values alignment, and community-based leadership regardless of geographic location.
📚 What standards do you evaluate?
Tier 1 accreditation affirms your school’s commitment to elevating the grassroots microschool model by upholding the core characteristics outlined here. In addition, the school must be organized and legally operating.
Tiers 2 and 3 build upon Tier 1 by evaluating schools across five key professional standards:
- Mission alignment
- Strategic planning
- Community accountability
- Fiscal responsibility
- Educational best practices
Tier 3 includes an additional peer review of these criteria, providing external reflection and collaboration.
🧭 Why get accredited with only five standards?
For grassroots microschools, less is more. Our streamlined framework respects founder autonomy while ensuring key indicators of quality are present. Rather than imposing rigid compliance checklists, we focus on five essential areas. This structure provides clarity without conformity, supporting diverse models while honoring the unique vision and leadership of each school.
👥 Who is eligible?
- Applicants must be Galaxy or Constellation-level members of Meridian Learning.
- Open to grassroots microschools of all pedagogical approaches and geographies.
- Schools must complete the application and submit documentation appropriate to their tier.
🔍 What are the benefits of accreditation?
- serves as recognition for your dedication to the learning community you serve and intentional action to build and maintain that community
- 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 model for the 21st century and beyond
📈 Is Meridian Learning recognized by any state or federal entity?
No. Meridian Learning is an independent accreditor, not affiliated with any governmental body. However, our process has been accepted for purposes of program eligibility in Oklahoma, and we’re open to collaboration with other states or private funders seeking to evaluate nontraditional programs through a rigorous and values-aligned lens.
🎓 Is Meridian accreditation accepted for voucher or tax credit programs?
Yes. Meridian accreditation is currently accepted as valid accreditation for participation in Oklahoma’s Parental Choice Tax Credit program. Schools accredited through Meridian have successfully used our documentation to qualify for family eligibility under this program.
While we are a non-governmental accreditor, we understand the growing importance of alternative recognition in education funding landscapes. We are willing to engage with state agencies, scholarship organizations, and policymakers in other states where accreditor approval is required. We’re happy to share documentation and context that demonstrates how our process ensures quality and accountability in grassroots learning environments.
📞 How do we begin the process?
Contact us at accreditation@meridian-learning.org to discuss your school’s interest, accreditation timeline and other considerations. Then, complete the accreditation application.