Accreditation International

What Accreditation International does

Accreditation International (Ai) is a private nonprofit education accreditation organization headquartered in Federal Way, Washington, that issues accreditation to educational institutions worldwide. It was founded by leaders drawn from the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA), the Council on Occupational Education (COE), the International Council for Education, and former Executive Directors of USA regional accreditors, and it is a recognized member in good standing of NCPSA, The Alliance, and participating Regional accrediting associations. The organization serves five institutional verticals: US and international K-14 schools, adult/professional/vocational schools, 21st century distance education schools, early childhood education (infant through kindergarten), and supplementary education learning centers.

Its core product is a multi-vertical accreditation service structured around a five-year cycle consisting of self-study, a Plan for Continuous School Improvement, on-site peer evaluations, and annual reports. Underlying technical content is built from standards and quality indicators grounded in 21st century skills research, international benchmarks, and American Common Core Standards, integrating contemporary educational research with traditional accreditation methodology. Sub-products include Associates Accreditation and the Ai Schools network, plus a structured School Application Service accessed through the organization's website.

The business model is recurring accreditation fees paid by institutions through an application-based go-to-market motion: schools apply online, undergo the structured evaluation process, and then pay ongoing fees tied to the five-year re-evaluation cycle and annual reporting. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Distribution is direct and web-based, with no disclosed app, API, or platform integrations, and the organization markets primarily through its website and direct application pathways. The organization is small (13 employees), private, and operates without disclosed funding rounds, M&A activity, or parent company ownership.

Name

Accreditation International

Legal name

Accreditation International

Website

https://aiaccredits.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Accreditation International is a private nonprofit that accredits educational institutions worldwide across K-14, adult/vocational, distance education, early childhood, and supplementary learning segments on a recurring five-year cycle. It generates revenue through accreditation fees via a direct, web-based application process.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Accreditation Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

National/Institutional Accreditors (Career, Faith-Based, Distance, etc.) (EDADACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

International/Transnational Accreditation & Recognition Bodies (EDADACAG), Online/Distance Education Quality & Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAK), K–12/School & District Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAE)

Keywords

• Education accreditation services
• School quality assurance
• Institutional accreditation programs
• Peer evaluation services
• Continuous school improvement

Headquarters

HQ city

Federal Way

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Accreditation Services: Accreditation International generates revenue through accreditation fees charged to educational institutions seeking accreditation and re-accreditation. The process includes self-study evaluation, on-site peer evaluations, and a five-year cycle of re-evaluations with annual reports.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Accreditation International provides accreditation services to educational institutions worldwide, including K-14 schools, adult and vocational schools, distance education schools, early childhood education programs, and supplementary learning centers. The accreditation process requires schools to complete a Self Study, develop a Plan for Continuous School Improvement, undergo On-site Evaluations by Peers, and submit Annual Reports within a Five-Year Cycle of Re-evaluations. Standards are grounded in 21st century skills research, international benchmarks, and American Common Core Standards.

Product overview

Accreditation International (Ai) is an education accreditation organization offering accreditation services for schools and educational institutions globally. The core offering is a unified accreditation service with distinct programs for K-14 schools, adult and vocational schools, distance education schools, early childhood education, and supplementary learning centers. Ai operates a five-year accreditation cycle combining self-study, continuous improvement planning, peer evaluations, and annual reporting. The organization also maintains the Ai Schools network and provides application services for institutions seeking accreditation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAi is recognized as a member in good standing of NCPSA. Leaders from NCPSA contributed to the development and delivery of standards, policies, and procedures available to Accreditation International.
• Council on Occupational Education (COE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOE participates in the Alliance and contributing organizations. Former Executive Directors from COE contributed to the development of Ai standards, policies, and procedures.
• International Council for EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributing organization to Accreditation International's standards development. Represents international perspective in educational accreditation standards.
• The Alliance and Participating Regional Accrediting AssociationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAi is a member in good standing with The Alliance and participating Regional accrediting associations. Former Executive Directors from USA regional accreditors contributed to the development and delivery of standards, policies, and procedures.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA): NCPSA is the umbrella association of which Ai is a recognized member and whose leaders helped found Ai. It coordinates accreditation among private school accrediting bodies and represents the closest institutional peer for accreditation standards and policy.
• Cognia: Cognia is the largest US-based institutional accreditor formed from the merger of AdvancED and other bodies. It directly competes with Ai for K-12 and postsecondary accreditation clients across the US and internationally, offering a much larger evaluation platform and brand recognition.
• Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools: MSA-CESS is the mid-Atlantic US regional accreditor for K-12 schools. It is a direct peer institution accrediting the same school types Ai targets in the US market and is part of The Alliance.
• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE): IACBE is a US-based specialized accreditor for business programs worldwide. It is comparable to Ai as a specialized programmatic accreditor with international reach serving education institutions globally.
• Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET): ACCET accredits continuing education and training institutions in the US and abroad. It is a direct peer to Ai's adult/vocational and supplementary education accreditation segments.
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC/CPSS): NEASC's Commission on Public Secondary Schools is one of the six US regional accrediting associations. It is a direct peer for K-12 accreditation in the New England region and a fellow Alliance member.
• Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC): DEAC is the primary US accreditor dedicated to distance and online education institutions. It competes directly with Ai's 21st Century Distance Education Schools vertical for the same online and remote learning clients.
• Council on Occupational Education (COE): COE is a US accreditor for vocational and occupational education programs. It is a direct peer to Ai's adult/vocational accreditation segment and is also listed as a contributing partner to Ai's standards development.
• WASC Senior College and University Commission: WASC is one of the six US regional accrediting associations covering western US institutions. As a member of The Alliance alongside Ai, it is a comparable K-14 and postsecondary accreditation peer operating in the same regulatory framework.
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC): SACSCOC accredits higher education institutions across the southern US and is part of The Alliance. It overlaps with Ai's postsecondary and associate-level accreditation offerings for institutions in its territory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/accreditation-international

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Accreditation International