NLSA Application

Application Process

To begin the National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA) process, schools must submit an NLSA Application. Please use the following Application Packet and the four documents it contains to begin the National Lutheran School Accreditation process. If you have questions, please contact the School Ministry Office (school.ministry@lcms.org).

NLSA Application Packet

NLSA Extension Process

Schools facing extenuating circumstances may request to be granted an Accreditation Extension for their NLSA application period or term of accreditation. Applications for extension must be presented in writing to the District Education Executive and include a complete description of the extenuating circumstances that result in the request. Applications must be endorsed in writing by the District Education Executive or District Accreditation Commissioner and submitted to the NLSA Director. The NLSA Executive Committee will consider all extension requests and its decision is final.

To begin the extension process, District accreditation officials will submit the school’s extension application and documentation, their endorsement of the request and a $200 check to the NLSA National office. All Extension Applications must be submitted to the District no later than March 1 of the year of your Accreditation expiration. Extensions will be granted for a period of one year after the expiration of a school’s accreditation application. The school must continue to pay their annual fee during their extension year, and the school’s accreditation status will not lapse but will identified as “in process” with an extended application.

Download the NLSA Extension Application

Co-Accrediting Agencies

NLSA is blessed to have a variety of significant partnerships with regional accrediting agencies and these partnerships allow Lutheran schools to associate with accrediting brands that add value to their school. NLSA is partnered with three great regional accrediting associations, all using different processes and protocols.

Over 100 NLSA accredited schools celebrate dual accreditation with other accrediting agencies. NLSA has been very diligent in cultivating positive relationships with these partner agencies. This has resulted in new and innovative ways to serve Lutheran schools that are associated with NLSA and COGNIA or WASC. COGNIA and WASC accreditation services are globally renown and highly respected for their quality. Recent work with both agencies to develop accreditation materials that ensure the academic quality of Lutheran Schools has allowed for the validation of the Lutheran cultural heritage and purpose. Since the majority of Lutheran schools are located in geographic regions served by these agencies, it will serve schools well to use these applications whenever necessary.

Both COGNIA and WASC conduct their accreditation processes electronically from application through the self-study process and site validation visit. When Lutheran schools desire dual accreditation, it is important to make this known to the NLSA partner agencies when applying electronically, and to NLSA by using the official application forms.

NLSA is also a recognized accrediting agency by many public and non-public accrediting groups. Check with your LCMS district office to determine if your state has recognized NLSA as a valid accrediting organization.

For more information about the benefits of dual accreditation or general information about co-accrediting partners agencies contact the School Ministry Office at school.ministry@lcms.org.

Schools seeking dual accreditation (COGNIA/NLSA) will apply using the following procedure:

To Apply for the COGNIA Accreditation Process (NEW and RENEWING Schools):

Complete a COGNIA application online: https://www.cognia.org/membership/application/
Complete a National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA) Application and submit it and the appropriate Application Fee to the local LCMS District office for processing. (NLSA Applications are found in the “NLSA Application” tab)
Once the application has been submitted online to COGNIA, they will contact the school administrator directly with fee and payment specifics, which will be remitted directly to COGNIA.
After both the COGNIA and NLSA applications and fees have been processed, the school’s COGNIA workspace will be opened and login information will be sent directly to the school administrator in order for them to begin working on their school’s accreditation process.

COGNIA Open Enrollment:

Elementary schools and high schools currently accredited in good standing with NLSA now have the option to apply for dual accreditation based on their current NLSA status. No additional documentation will be required of schools seeking dual accreditation with COGNIA. With this application process, COGNIA is accepting the NLSA protocol and does not require an additional onsite visit. The COGNIA Commission will review schools for consideration based on their NLSA-accredited status during the Open Enrollment periods which are conducted quarterly by COGNIA. The NLSA national office will assist with the following process:

Schools seeking dual accreditation (NLSA/COGNIA) shall notify the NLSA director in writing with the following information:
1. Name of school, head of institution
2. City
3. School type (i.e., elementary, K-12, etc.)
4. Date of current accreditation

NLSA shall prepare a letter on behalf of each school verifying that it is accredited in good standing and submit it to COGNIA.

Each school shall complete an online application and submit the COGNIA annual fee (https://www.cognia.org/membership/application/).
*Please note that schools with dual accreditation will be responsible for annual fees for both COGNIA and NLSA.

Accreditation Process Specifics:

A school may choose either NLSA or Cognia as the lead protocol. Proper paperwork and fees must be submitted.

NLSA celebrates an excellent partnership with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) for schools located in the western United States and Asia. The two organizations collaborated on an integrated accreditation protocol that includes the evaluation of faith components that enrich our Lutheran schools.

Schools may apply for dual accreditation through WASC and NLSA by indicating that desire to either the California, Nevada, Hawaii (CNH) or the Pacific Southwest (PSD) Districts of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

Lutheran schools which have operated with a classical Lutheran education program for at least one full school year can pursue Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education (CCLE) accreditation. After sending a letter of intent and initiation fee to CCLE (Dr. Jackie Veith, 526 Madison Avenue, Blackwell, OK 74631), the school receives the electronic application. Schools may desire co-accreditation with NLSA, whose Executive Director will also approve the site visit team members and dates of the site visit. These schools complete the CCLE process (application, self study, site visit, CCLE board decision) and then submit their CCLE visiting team report with an NLSA application and fee to the NLSA National Office (National Lutheran School Accreditation, 1333 South Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122).

A more in-depth CCLE Accreditation Information & Timeline document is available online or upon request and individuals who want more information can explore the CCLE website: http://www.ccle.org/accreditation.