National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA) is a process of self-evaluation followed by a visit of objective observers designed to help Lutheran schools improve the quality of their programs. The process is completely voluntary and available for every school operated by a single congregation, by an association of congregations, or by a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod or the Lutheran Church—Canada. NLSA is a rigorous national accrediting process designed to evaluate schools based on their unique purpose as Lutheran schools. It helps schools evaluate not only the quality of the academics and programs, but also most importantly the spiritual dimension of the school. The "Standards for Lutheran Schools" and report forms are similar to those used by other accrediting agencies, both secular and religious. The new standards for Early Childhood Centers are available. Click here to download. The National Accreditation Commission that is made up of representatives from various participating districts of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and the Lutheran Church—Canada governs NLSA. The process is owned and operated by the District and Congregation Services of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and is a service of the LCMS School Ministry. Over 500 schools of all types are currently accredited by NLSA.

The purposes of NLSA are to:

1. Help Lutheran schools - early childhood, elementary and secondary - to improve.

2. Help all Lutheran schools and centers to evaluate themselves based upon their unique purposes and national standards.

3. Give appropriate recognition to those schools that complete the process successfully.

1. NLSA is a process that helps the school improve.

2. Self-study and evaluation, based on a set of national standards, improve the quality of the school.

3. The school gains greater self-respect.

4. The school's public relations and recruitment could improve.

5. Accreditation is a public acknowledgement of quality.

6. National accreditation provides accountability to your community, constituents and congregation.

7. Accreditation provides evidence of professionalism by the school and its staff and of an objective evaluation by educational professionals not personally involved in the school.

8. It helps the school evaluate and improve its unique ministry as a Lutheran school.

9. NLSA is international in scope, supported by more than 2000 schools.

10. NLSA assures parents who move that a quality Lutheran schools exists wherever NLSA accreditation is found.

The NLSA processes, both Standards Based (SB) and Ongoing Improvement (OI) are appropriate for all three levels: early childhood (including childcare), elementary and secondary. However adaptations and suggestions for evaluating and reporting plans and progress on some standards need to be made to allow for differences. Notes of clarification and special helps for early childhood directors, elementary principals and secondary administrators are available for schools that apply. These manuals assist all three levels of administrators to understand and provide leadership for the accreditation process at their school.

1. The school administrator expresses initial interest to the District Educational Executive, (click here to find the address and/or phone number of your district office), or to the NLSA office (1333 South Kirkwood Road, St, Louis, MO, 63122) NLSA Office

2. The district executive or the NLSA office will send initial information and an application form to the school.

3. Schools review the initial information. If interested, they will complete three copies of the application form and submit them, along with the application fee, to the District Education Executive for his or her signature. Additional district accreditation fees and forms may be required.

4. The district executive will sign the forms, keeping one copy and sending two copies to the NLSA office along with the school's application fee, and suggest a trained consultant for the school. The team visit must occur within three years from the time of application to NLSA or a second application must be filed and another fee paid.

5. Upon receipt of the application and fee NLSA will send a set a CD with full instructions that will allow the school to complete the process. The NLSA Director will appoint a trained NLSA consultant who will help the school with their process. The NLSA office must receive the application and fee at least nine months before the site visit occurs.

NLSA has developed co-accrediting partnerships with many of our well respected secular regional accrediting agencies. Reciprocity allows a school to gain accreditation from two agencies through the use of a simple process. NLSA has reciprocity with the following secular regional accrediting agencies: North Central, Southern Association, Western Association, Northwestern Association and Middle States. In addition NLSA maintains accreditation reciprocity with a number of state accrediting agencies. Contact the NLSA national office to obtain more information about the benefits of co-accreditation.

The accreditation needs of LCMS early childhood centers can be accommodated by using process designed by early childhood educators specifically for early childhood centers. NLSA accreditation standards for early childhood centers are challenging, appropriate and relevant.

Early childhood centers desiring co-accreditation with NAEYC may use the Guide For Evaluating the Christian Mission of Freestanding Early Childhood Centers. When the center successfully completes the NAEYC accreditation process it can also become accredited by NLSA using this abbreviated process.

Current news and information about National Lutheran School Accreditation is located on the Lutheran School Portal at LSPortal.com. Follow the NLSA link on the National Page. This site is updated frequently with important information for schools accredited by NLSA. The Lutheran School Portal is a membership site.