School Accreditation is a process of self-examination and evaluation leading to school improvement. In 1993, in consonance with the BJE’s mission to enhance the quality of Jewish education in Los Angeles, BJE brought its affiliated schools, representatives of Jewish ideological movements and allied general accrediting agencies together to create a comprehensive approach to the accreditation of Jewish Day and Complementary schools.

Today, all BJE-affiliated day schools are required to undertake WASC or CAIS (WASC/CAIS) School Accreditation in order to qualify for communal financial support. The process includes;comprehensive self-study and on-site visitation and review by a visiting team that includes a BJE Representative, as well as a fiscal and governance overview by a BJE panel.  You can find more information on WASC Accreditation, at  http://www.acswasc.org  and for CAIS Accreditation, at http://www.caisca.org.

In like fashion, BJE-affiliated Complementary Schools undertake an accreditation process to qualify for communal financial support.  First, schools must assess and evaluate their missions, governance, staffing, curriculum and expected student outcomes and compile the data they collect in a Self-Study report. Second, an experienced Visiting Team of educators independently assesses both the Self-Study report and the school's mission, governance, staff, programs and educational environment. In addition to visiting classes, the Visiting Team meets with school lay and professional leadership, teachers, parents and student representatives. Finally, members of the Visiting Team present a written report to BJE's Commission on School Accreditation. The Commission reviews the commendations and recommendations of the Visiting Team and decides on a Term of Accreditation for each school and conditions which must be addressed prior to the next Accreditation Cycle.

For further information contact Janice Tytell in regard to BJE Religious School Accreditation or Arlene Agress in regard to WASC or WASC/CAIS Day School Accreditation.