Accreditation

“I want to enroll my child in Palmetto Christian Academy but I am concerned that the school is not yet accredited.” This is a legitimate concern for parents as they seek to provide the finest educational opportunities for their children. Will Palmetto Christian Academy graduates be at a disadvantage due to the school’s lack of accreditation in the early years? I contacted the admissions offices of several schools, including Clemson University, Lander University, Furman University, and the University of South Carolina. In each case I was told that the accreditation or lack of accreditation of the high school issuing the transcript is not considered when evaluating a student for admission. Each college publishes its admissions requirements on its website. For the most part the requirements are similar with regard to courses required. Palmetto Christian Academy’s college preparatory curriculum meets and exceeds these requirements. Our students will be fully prepared to be attractive to colleges and universities as competitive applicants.

Accreditation is important. The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) defines accreditation as “ . . . a process—a self-study and analysis, a comparison to established standards, an assessment of a school’s mission, a commitment to quality education, and a willingness to be accountable. Christian schools can use all of these components of the process to reach toward their goal of excellence in education.” Because accreditation is a process we will not be accredited in August when we open our doors. However, it is our goal to be accredited by ACSI, the South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA), as well as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Each of these agencies has its own requirements and standards. Some require a minimum number of students; others require the school to be in operation for a specific length of time. We will apply to begin the process as soon as we meet the eligibility requirements for each agency.

Joan Gore, Principal