School Accreditation

King School's is accredited by the  New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

This comprehensive 10-year review assessed our school against NEASC's rigorous standards for excellence. 

King School meets all standards with the highest rating, affirming our mission-driven approach to education, our commitment to cultivating a vibrant inquiry-based learning environment, and a culture of belonging. As the NEASC visiting team described it: King’s “supportive environment has cultivated a culture of pedagogical excellence, making teaching and learning genuinely joyful throughout the school.”

Why Accreditation Matters

Accreditation is a hallmark of quality and a road for improvement for independent schools. It provides an objective evaluation of a school’s programs, operations, and mission alignment while ensuring accountability to their communities. NEASC, the accrediting body, holds schools to exacting standards in areas such as academic excellence, leadership, governance, community culture, and health and safety. 

What the Process Entailed

The NEASC accreditation process was a comprehensive evaluation that involved the entire school community. King embarked on this process two years ago. It began with a yearlong self-study, during which faculty and staff assessed the school against 11 standards, ensuring representation from all constituencies. The self-study involved documentation, conversations across departments, and data collected from a community-wide survey. This reflective process allowed the school to analyze its strengths and areas for growth. 

Following the self-study, NEASC conducted two visits with specialized teams who performed their own independent evaluation. These visits, which took place in April of 2024 and in November of 2024, included meetings with school leadership, classroom observations, and community engagement assessments. The findings of the visiting teams were compared and contrasted with the school’s self-study to create a well-rounded and thorough evaluation. This analysis informed NEASC’s final report, which provides commendations and recommendations to guide the school’s continuous improvement.

Highlights From the NEASC Report

The accrediting team was impressed by the school’s outstanding success in all the areas evaluated. King School achieved SM1 ratings (Standard Met 1) — the highest possible — in all the standards assessed. This accomplishment highlights the school’s commitment to excellence and alignment with its mission.

The NEASC accreditation team noted the school’s emphasis on program excellence, with leadership, faculty, and staff continuously working to improve program planning and instructional practices.

The report emphasized how professional development opportunities are prioritized, fostering a culture of growth and innovation among faculty. The team identified the school’s governance and leadership as particular strengths.

The Board of Trustees was commended for its alignment with the school’s mission and strategic plan, ensuring that resources are thoughtfully and efficiently allocated. 

The report also underscored the dedication of the leadership team and faculty to fulfilling the school’s mission and recognized the faculty for its commitment to creating a nurturing and student-centered learning environment.

King School’s strategic planning efforts were highlighted as a model of excellence, with a clear alignment between its mission, virtues, and strategic goals. The visiting team noted the school's commitment to ensuring the spaces match the quality and nature of its inquiry-based program and mission-driven approach to education.

The team described our school as a warm and welcoming community characterized by strong, positive relationships among students, families, faculty, and staff, highlighting that this culture of collaboration and belonging permeates every aspect of King School. 

While the school is in a strong position, the team identified enrollment as an ongoing challenge in the competitive Fairfield County market. It recommended maintaining a sustained focus and innovative strategies to attract mission-appropriate families and students.

The team also provided several recommendations to guide King School’s continued growth. These include continuing to ensure that our academic programs and structures address the diverse academic, social-emotional, and cognitive needs of all learners; enhancing consistency in instructional methods and assessment practices across divisions; and institutionalizing initiatives outlined in the 2020-25 strategic plan while planning for future growth.

In summary, the NEASC accreditation team affirmed King School’s strengths and achievements while providing valuable insights to help the school build on its successes. This process not only highlights the school’s accomplishments but also lays the groundwork for continuous improvement in the years to come.

The complete NEASC report is kept in the Head of School's office and is available to anyone in our community who wishes to review it in detail. 

This accreditation process reflects our collective commitment to providing the very best educational experience for our students. On behalf of our school, I extend heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to this achievement — faculty, staff, parents, trustees, and, most importantly, our students.