WINONA LAKE — Administrator Joy Lavender announced Tuesday, Aug. 18, Lakeland Christian Academy earned continuing accreditation from the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, an accreditation division of AdvancED. This action was taken at the AdvancED Accreditation Commission meeting held in Tempe, Ariz., June 25.

Lakeland Christian Academy has been accredited since April, 2003.

NCA CASI provides nationally-recognized accreditation, the purpose of which is continuous school improvement focused on increasing student performance. To earn accreditation, schools must meet NCA CASI’s high standards, be evaluated by a team of professionals from outside the school and implement a continuous process of school improvement. Accreditation is granted on a five-year term ending June 30, 2020.

“Accreditation demonstrates to our students, parents and community that we are focused on raising student achievement, providing a safe and enriching learning environment, and maintaining an efficient and effective operation staffed by highly qualified educators,” stated Lavender.

NCA CASI accreditation is recognized across state lines, which not only eases the transfer process as students move from accredited school to accredited school but also assures parents that the school is meeting nationally accepted standards for quality and successful professional practice.

Dr. Mark Elgart, president/CEO of AdvancED, the parent organization of NCA CASI, stated, “NCA CASI Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school on the primary goal of creating lifelong learners. Lakeland Christian Academy is to be commended for engaging in this process and demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement.”

Parents and interested community members can learn more about accreditation at www.advanc-ed.org.

In addition, Lakeland Christian Academy was voted unanimously for re-accreditation by the Association of Christian Schools, International Regional Accreditation Commission for a full five year term ending June, 2020.