Book a Tour

Accreditations

NEASC Accreditation

New England Association of Schools and Colleges ACE Pathway

What is the ACE Pathway?

The ACE (Accreditation, Candidacy, and Excellence) Learning Pathway Learning Pathway is NEASC’s flagship framework for school accreditation. Unlike compliance-focused models, ACE places learning at the centre of everything — prioritising what actually happens in classrooms over documentation alone. It challenges schools to view their community as an interconnected ecosystem, where every decision, structure, and behaviour has an impact on learning. The pathway is guided by ten ACE Learning Principles, which together ask schools to reflect deeply on what high-quality learning looks like — and to build the systems that make it possible for every student.

Waad Academy’s Journey

Waad Academy’s path to accreditation began in 2024 and progressed through three formal stages:

Eligibility (2024): Waad Academy met the foundational requirements set by NEASC, confirming that the school had the basic structures, policies, and systems in place to support a quality learning environment.
Candidacy (2024–2025): The school entered a formal cycle of internal reflection, aligning its practices with the ACE Learning Principles and building evidence of its effectiveness as a learning community.
Full Accreditation (2025–2026): Following a rigorous External Review Visit conducted by a team of trained peer educators, Waad Academy was awarded full NEASC Accreditation.

What It Means for Our Curriculum?

The ACE framework prompted Waad Academy to re-examine how learning is designed, experienced, and assessed across the school. Teaching and assessment practices were reviewed with a focus on giving students greater ownership of their learning and ensuring feedback genuinely informs growth.

What It Means for Our Students?

For students at Waad Academy, accreditation on the ACE pathway is a commitment to the kind of education that prepares them not just for examinations, but for a changing world. NEASC accreditation is recognised by universities and institutions worldwide.
“NEASC accreditation is an independent confirmation that the education our students receive meets the highest international standards.”
BRITISH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

COBIS Accreditation

Council of British International Schools, Patron School Status

What is COBIS?

The Council of British International Schools (COBIS) is a membership association representing leading British international schools across the globe. Established to promote quality, integrity, and the values of a British-style education beyond the United Kingdom, COBIS sets rigorous standards for schools wishing to operate under its banner. COBIS recognises the validity of accreditation awarded by a number of established international bodies — including NEASC. Schools that hold full NEASC Accreditation are eligible for COBIS membership on that basis, without the requirement for a separate COBIS inspection process. This reflects the equivalence that COBIS places on NEASC’s rigorous standards of evaluation.

Waad Academy’s Route to COBIS Membership

Waad Academy’s COBIS membership was obtained through the NEASC accreditation route. Having completed the full ACE Pathway — including Eligibility, Candidacy, and an External Review Visit by trained NEASC peer educators — Waad Academy met the standards required for COBIS recognition without a separate inspection. This dual recognition reflects the strength and credibility of the evidence gathered throughout Waad Academy’s NEASC journey. The same commitment to learning, governance, and student development that earned NEASC Accreditation is the foundation on which COBIS membership rests.

What It Means for Our Curriculum?

COBIS membership affirms that Waad Academy’s curriculum meets the standards associated with the best British international schools — an endorsement grounded in the same rigorous evaluation process that underpins our NEASC Accreditation.

What It Means for Our Students?

For students at Waad Academy, COBIS membership adds an internationally recognised dimension to their school’s credentials. It connects them to a global network of British international schools and reinforces the standing of their education with universities and institutions worldwide.
“Waad Academy’s COBIS membership is a natural extension of its NEASC Accreditation — dual recognition grounded in a single, rigorous commitment to educational quality.”