Questions on enrolling?
We're here 9am-9pm ET Mon-Fri
Questions on enrolling?
We're here 9am-9pm ET Mon-Fri
Questions on enrolling? We're here 9am-9pm ET Mon-Fri
Questions on enrolling?
Questions on enrolling?
Questions on enrolling?
When you’re searching for an online high school, one of the things you want to be sure about is whether or not the diploma you earn is legitimate. Can you use it for jobs? Will it help you get into college? While there are many factors that can determine whether a high school diploma is legit, one of the biggest is accreditation. Here’s what you need to know about JMHS’s accreditation and what that means for your education.
Accreditation is a form of official recognition that ensures certain organizations – like schools – meet recognized standards. These recognized standards are put in place and measured by third party organizations separate from the schools they oversee. When a high school or college is accredited, they’ve gone through a rigorous review process to make sure their curriculum, teachers, staff, and processes all meet the measurements that mean they can and do provide a quality education.
This review process doesn’t happen just once, by the way! Schools need to become reaccredited every few years, so they are regularly reviewed and assessed by accrediting bodies to make sure that they maintain their quality and continue to improve.
Yes, accreditation is important! When you’re investing in your education, you want to make sure that you’re doing something that can actually help you reach your goals, whether you want to go to college, start a career, or join the military.
Technically, all schools don’t need to be accredited. However, accreditation can make a big difference in how your diploma is viewed by other schools. For example, many colleges may only accept students who graduated from an accredited high school.
If you’re worried about whether your diploma will be accepted, it’s best to reach out to any college you may be interested in attending to make sure they’ll accept a diploma from your school.
Yes! James Madison is nationally accredited by both Cognia and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC).
Cognia Accreditation is a designation of quality recognized around the world. It is awarded by three regional accrediting bodies: the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Together, these organizations have been accrediting institutions for more than 125 years!
The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency, and it’s also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). They’ve been accrediting distance education schools for almost 100 years!
But what does that really mean? At the end of the day, it means that the curriculum offered by JMHS has been reviewed and approved by these official accrediting bodies. What you’re learning aligns with national education standards and means that the education you’re receiving should help you prepare to take the next steps in your life after graduation.
Accreditation is important. However, no form of accreditation can guarantee a college or university will accept you for admission. Each college can have different requirements and consider different factors when looking at applications. Previously, the military and many colleges have accepted JMHS graduates.
James Madison High School can be a great, legitimate way to earn your high school diploma on your terms. Whether you’re a traditional aged student looking to attend school online or an adult who wants to finish their diploma, JMHS’s self-paced classes can help you take the next step toward reaching your goals! To learn more about our accreditation, or to enroll in online high school, reach out to our expert Admissions Team at 1-800-349-6861.
Des Sinkevich earned a Bachelor's of Arts in English Writing from the University of Pittsburgh and loves applying what she learned there to her writing. Through her work as a senior markeing communications specialist, she is able to share information, advice, and more with students and alumni.
