Six regional agencies accredit 19,000 high schools and 9,000 more public schools throughout the country. This chart provides a snapshot of the territory each group covers, how long they have been in existence, and how many schools they certify.
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Founded: 1895
- Annual Dues: $424
The association, which also accredits schools in Mexico, Central America, and South America, accredits 4,208 high schools in its U.S. region, 90 percent of the total.
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- Founded: 1880
- Annual Dues: $1,100
The association accredits 700 high schools, 75 percent of the public high schools in its six-state region.
Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
- Founded: 1917
- Annual Dues: $325
The association accredits about 1,400 high schools, 90 percent of the seven-state total.
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
- Founded: 1887
- Annual Dues: $55
The group accredits 1,700 high schools, about 60 percent of the total in the region. The association also covers schools in Puerto Rico, the Panama Canal Zone, and the Virgin Islands.
North Central Association of Schools and Colleges
- Founded: 1895
- Annual Dues: $390
The association accredits 3,754 high schools, half of the schools in the sprawling region. The group also accredits Department of Defense schools and Navajo Nation schools.
Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Founded: 1962
- Annual Dues: $550
The group accredits 1,200 high schools in California and Hawaii, 95 percent of the total. The association also covers schools in Guam, American Samoa, and Micronesia.
