DAPHNE, Ala. — Bayside Academy is now an accredited member of the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. To earn accreditation from SAIS and SACS, Bayside Academy complied with quality standards, was evaluated by an outside group of peer professionals and implemented a school plan focused on strategic improvement and student performance.

In today’s world of accountability in schooling, accreditation serves as a critical component of a school’s demonstrated effectiveness and ability to provide successful schooling for children. A school that achieves accreditation demonstrates a commitment to a process that requires the school to meet a set of rigorous, research-based standards; to engage in a program of continuous school improvement; and to demonstrate quality assurance to its stakeholders through self-evaluation and peer review, a school spokesperson said.

SAIS-SACS accreditation provides schools access to an integrated network of services and technical assistance that supports every school’s ability to identify and meet its goals for improving student performance and the teaching and learning process.

Accreditation is voluntary and must be renewed every year. The self-study process and peer review visit must be repeated every five years for continued accreditation.