Purpose
Evidence that the school's mission, direction and educational purpose provide a coherent foundation for organisational development.
CISGlobal International Accreditation
NTES International Accreditation & Quality Library
CIS InternationalAccreditation
Explore the Council of International Schools International Accreditation Framework, Cornerstone expectations, developmental Dimensions, self-study, peer evaluation and strategic school-improvement process.
CIS approaches accreditation as a developmental process through which schools connect international standards with organisational learning, strategic priorities and socially responsible leadership.
Framework
18 standards
Dimensions
3 developmental areas
Approach
Developmental & strategic
Evaluation
School self-study + peer review
Understanding CIS
Accreditation embedded within strategic school development
CIS International Accreditation enables international schools to benchmark organisational learning against research-informed international standards while strengthening strategic school improvement.
The current framework gives schools agency in shaping their accreditation journey. Rather than forcing every school through an identical improvement agenda, CIS connects accreditation activity to the school's context, strategic priorities and areas where development can make a meaningful difference.
Peer evaluation remains an important part of the process, providing external professional perspectives while the school retains ownership of its developmental journey.
CIS accreditation structure
1
Cornerstone expectations
2
Guiding Principles
3
Learning
4
Well-being
5
Development Initiatives
6
Peer evaluation
Foundation of the framework
CIS Cornerstone expectations
Before and throughout development, schools demonstrate evidence that essential strategic and operational foundations are effectively established.
Practices
Evidence that essential systems, professional practices and organisational structures support the school's stated purpose.
Planning
Evidence that strategic and operational planning is coherent, evidence-informed and directed toward sustainable development.
CIS accreditation framework
Three developmental Dimensions
The current CIS framework organises its standards around three areas through which schools pursue strategic and operational development.
01CIS Dimension
Guiding Principles
How the school's purpose, values and international-education commitments are understood, modelled and translated into strategic and operational practice.
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Mission and purpose
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Values in practice
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International education
✓
Social responsibility
✓
Strategic alignment
02CIS Dimension
Learning
How the school designs, develops and evaluates learning so that students experience high-quality international education and meaningful growth.
✓
Student learning
✓
Teaching practice
✓
Learning design
✓
Evidence of impact
✓
Future-focused education
03CIS Dimension
Well-being
How the school creates a safe, inclusive and supportive environment in which students and the wider community can learn and flourish.
✓
Safeguarding
✓
Student well-being
✓
Inclusion
✓
Community culture
✓
Healthy learning environments
18 future-focused standards
CIS currently organises 18 International Accreditation standards across Guiding Principles, Learning and Well-being. Schools use the standards as a developmental reference for strategic and organisational improvement.
Accreditation eligibility
Schools must meet CIS requirements before registration
CIS International Accreditation is available to CIS member schools that meet the organisation's current eligibility requirements.
Accreditation applies to the whole school rather than being offered only to one phase, department or section of an institution.
Verify Current CIS Eligibility✓
The school must be a CIS member
✓
The school must be committed to continuous school improvement
✓
The school must continue to follow CIS Membership Standards and the CIS Code of Ethics
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The school must have operated for at least two full academic years
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The whole school must participate in the accreditation process
Accreditation cycle
From readiness to organisational learning
The CIS process combines reflective dialogue, internal development, evidence gathering and external peer evaluation.
Step 01
CIS Membership & Eligibility
The school must first meet CIS eligibility requirements and hold CIS school membership before registering for International Accreditation.
Step 02
Cornerstone Conversations
School leaders and CIS representatives engage in reflective dialogue about the effectiveness of the Cornerstone expectations and the school's areas of strength, development and strategic direction.
Step 03
Preparatory Evaluation
CIS evaluators engage with the school to confirm readiness for the developmental accreditation process and help co-construct the plan for the self-study period.
Step 04
Self-Study & Development Initiatives
The school advances two to four Development Initiatives aligned with its strategic priorities and the CIS International Accreditation standards.
Step 05
Team Evaluation
A trained peer-evaluation team validates the school's developmental journey through professional dialogue, evidence review, learning walks and engagement with the school community.
Step 06
Ongoing Improvement
Accreditation remains connected to continuing organisational learning, strategic development and evidence of improvement over time.
2–4
Development Initiatives
Accreditation focused on meaningful school priorities
During self-study, schools advance two to four Development Initiatives based on CIS International Accreditation standards and their own strategic priorities.
The school subsequently provides evidence of the development and organisational learning achieved through these initiatives, allowing accreditation to become part of strategic improvement rather than a parallel exercise.
Developmental accreditation
Accreditation designed to strengthen the organisation
The CIS framework is designed to help schools use evaluation as an instrument for strategic development, professional learning and continuing improvement.
Institutional Learning
Use accreditation as a structured process for professional reflection, organisational learning and evidence-informed dialogue.
Strategic Improvement
Align accreditation work with the school's existing strategic priorities rather than treating accreditation as a separate compliance exercise.
Focused Evaluation
Concentrate evaluation on meaningful development priorities supported by research-informed international standards.
Peer Perspective
Gain feedback from trained international-school educators and leaders participating in the CIS peer-evaluation process.
Professional application
Connect accreditation with evidence-informed school improvement
CIS accreditation aligns naturally with a strong internal school self-evaluation process because both depend on reflective professional dialogue, reliable evidence and carefully selected priorities.
Schools can use internal evaluation to understand their current position before selecting meaningful Development Initiatives and demonstrating progress.
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Understand the CIS developmental accreditation model
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Connect accreditation with strategic priorities
✓
Strengthen whole-school self-evaluation
✓
Organise evidence of organisational learning
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Develop focused school improvement initiatives
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Review learning and well-being systematically
✓
Strengthen socially responsible leadership
✓
Prepare evidence for peer evaluation
International comparison
CIS, COBIS and BSO serve different quality-assurance purposes
These systems should not be treated as interchangeable. Their ownership, purpose, evaluation methods and recognition models differ.
| Area | CIS | COBIS | BSO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall orientation | Developmental international accreditation aligned with strategic school improvement. | British international-school accreditation and compliance with a developmental quality-improvement focus. | UK Department for Education voluntary accreditation against BSO standards. |
| Internal evaluation | School-led self-study and Development Initiatives aligned with strategic priorities. | Internal preparation and evidence review linked to accreditation and quality assurance. | School preparation and evidence demonstrating compliance with BSO standards. |
| External evaluation | Trained peer evaluation supported by CIS representatives. | External quality review through the COBIS Accreditation and Compliance process. | Formal inspection through a Department for Education-approved BSO inspectorate. |
| Improvement emphasis | Organisational learning, strategic development and socially responsible leadership. | Professional quality assurance and continuing school improvement. | Maintaining required standards and continuing regulatory compliance. |
Official CIS resources
Access current CIS accreditation information
Schools should use current CIS documentation and official guidance when considering membership, accreditation or formal school-evaluation decisions.
CIS International Accreditation
Official overview of CIS International Accreditation, its purpose, characteristics and approach to international-school quality.
View CIS AccreditationFramework & Protocol
Official explanation of the current CIS International Accreditation Framework, Cornerstones, Dimensions and developmental principles.
View Framework & ProtocolAccreditation Cycle
Official explanation of Cornerstone Conversations, Preparatory Evaluation, Self-Study and Team Evaluation.
View Accreditation CycleAccreditation Eligibility
Official CIS requirements for schools wishing to register for International Accreditation.
View Eligibility RequirementsPeer Evaluation Teams
Learn how trained educators and international-school leaders contribute to CIS peer evaluation.
Explore Peer EvaluationGlobal Recognition
Official CIS information about recognition of International Accreditation and collaboration with other education agencies.
Explore Global Recognitioni
Always verify current CIS requirements
Accreditation frameworks, standards, eligibility requirements, processes and fees can change. Schools should confirm current requirements directly with the Council of International Schools before making formal membership or accreditation decisions.
NT Education Solutions is an independent education provider. Inclusion of CIS, its framework or related information does not imply endorsement, approval, partnership or affiliation.
From accreditation to internal improvement
Build the evidence base behind strategic school development
The NTES School Self-Evaluation Toolkit supports evidence review, triangulation, validated strengths and development areas, transparent priority selection and leadership validation.