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What is Accreditation?

Is Evergreen accredited? By whom?
Yes. Evergreen has been accredited by the Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS) since 1999. Our most recent accreditation (2011) lasts through 2021.

Why AIMS accreditation?
AIMS accreditation has been recognized for its high standards by independent schools in our area for many years. Other AIMS accredited schools include Sidwell Friends School, Lowell School, Bullis School, Beauvoir School, St. Alban’s School, National Cathedral School, Mclean School, St. Andrews School, Glenelg Country School, Garrison Forest and more than 100 other highly regarded schools.

What about Montessori Accreditation?
Evergreen is pursuing dual accreditation through the American Montessori Society (AMS) as well as through AIMS this year.  Being accredited by both organizations indicates that our school meets the highest quality standards.

According to the AMS website, "Accreditation by the American Montessori Society is the gold standard of Montessori school excellence—the highest level of recognition your Montessori school can achieve, and a highly visible indicator of your school’s quality.

Currently, only 15% of AMS member schools are AMS-accredited.

How does Accreditation Work?
According to the National Association of Independent Schools, “Independent school accreditation holds schools to rigorous standards common to all member schools.  The accrediting association enlists peers, experienced professionals from other independent schools, to participate in the evaluation process.  A visiting committee comprised of faculty and administrators from other schools is recruited, trained, and sent by the accrediting association to observe and evaluate the school over a period of three to four days.  

The self-study, which the committee is charged to validate, serves as the text for the visit.  The committee assesses how accurately the school has evaluated itself, how well the school has evaluated itself, how well the school follows its own mission, and suggests what actions for improvement should be given priority.  The committee also applies the standards for accreditation, voting on each one individually and recording the results."