CESA Standards
Standards
Providing a high-quality education, meeting the demands of consumers with more and more choices in the marketplace, and seeking to do so within a framework of Christian excellence are critical to quality Christian schools. Raising the bar of excellence in Christian schools is at the heart of all that is done at CESA. To do so, the Council on Educational Standards and Accountability has established the five CESA Standards of Accountability©, which provide a concrete, objective framework for schools to work within as they aspire to excellence.
CESA catalyzes Christian schools by providing objective standards, the tools and resources necessary to reach them, and the networks required to propel them into the future with humility, excellence, and accountability as hallmarks.
While it is not the purpose of CESA to impose uniformity among its member schools, the purpose of the standards is to provide a construct that influences the design and outcomes of what CESA schools provide institutionally.
Mission Clarity
CESA member schools are accredited, mission-driven, Christian institutions aspiring to be academically, programmatically, and institutionally excellent. All decisions are made with the school’s mission as the underlying framework.
Effective Governance
CESA member schools commit to a model of leadership that includes a governing board, which formally (policy) and informally (practice) delegates the daily operation of the institution to the head of school, who supervises the administrative team, faculty, and staff. Throughout this document, the term “board” is used as an inclusive term to represent “school board”, “board of trustees”, “board of directors” and other terms.
Institutional Viability
CESA member schools follow best practices that demonstrate astute financial management, appropriate budget forecasting, and thoughtful short- and long-term financial planning processes, for the stability and sustainability of the institution.
Academic & Programmatic Distinction
CESA member schools shall provide high-quality academic, artistic, and athletic programs designed to meet the mission of the school and to distinguish the institution as one of high quality.
Sense of Coherent Christian Community
CESA member schools shall develop a Christian ethos rooted in the foundational tenets of Christian orthodoxy, distinguishing them from other local public and independent schools, and demonstrating a strong sense of community through a coherent Christian framework.
“CESA has pushed our school towards best practices and excellence in ways that were unlikely to happen without the external pressure and high bar.”
– B. Bell, Head of Schools, Redlands Christian Schools