These documents will guide and direct the NLSA Evidence Based Accreditation (EBA) process for all elementary, middle and high schools. Please use the links below to access resources to be utilized before the process begins as well as the required school documentation.
Resources to be Used Prior to the EBA Process (Voluntary)
Survey Instruments NLSA has developed survey questions that are correlated with the seven standard areas and should be used at the beginning of a self-study process. A school may choose its own personal method of administration of the survey templates below as a part of its needs assessment process. Feel free to add additional questions to the survey but do not remove any already included.
Below is a link to download the old survey tool for NLSA. The data collected from this tool will not be reported to LCMS School Ministry and NLSA. This tool will be deprecated next accreditation cycle (March 2024)
(Optional)
Below is the new survey tool.
This tool helps develop new data sets to help schools that are just starting, strategic planning, and much more. These align with Lutheran School Consulting Service surveys and will also begin providing comparison and baseline data for the National, District, State, and Local levels.
NLSA Substantive Changes in Accredited Schools 9-2023 For a variety of reasons during an accreditation cycle, a school may choose to make substantive changes in its offerings that significantly alter the status of its school. A school must initiate a substantive change procedure with NLSA if the school experiences a change in any of the following:
The physical location of the school
Addition of or transfer of programs to new or different buildings
Grade level configuration
Type of school
Change in ownership and/or control
Change in legal status or form of control of the institution
Opening a branch or classroom extension
Change in established mission or objectives
Addition of courses or programs that represent a significant departure, in terms of either the content or method of delivery, from those that were offered when NLSA most recently evaluated the institution.
Survey Instruments NLSA has developed survey questions that are correlated with the seven standard areas and should be used at the beginning of a self-study process. A school may choose its own personal method of administration of the survey templates below as a part of its needs assessment process. Feel free to add additional questions to the survey but do not remove any already included.
These documents will guide and direct the NLSA Early Childhood Accreditation processes. Please use the links below to access resources to be utilized before the process begins as well as the required school documentation.
Resources to be Used Prior to the EC Process (Voluntary)
Download the Early Childhood Surveys (9/2023) (Includes: Director Survey, Director’s Supervisor Survey, Staff Survey, Support Staff Survey, Church Ministry Staff Survey and Parent-Guardian Survey)
NLSA Substantive Changes in Accredited Schools
Instructions: NLSA Substantive Changes in Accredited Schools 9-2023 For a variety of reasons during an accreditation cycle, a school may choose to make substantive changes in its offerings that significantly alter the status of its school. A school must initiate a substantive change procedure with NLSA if the school experiences a change in any of the following:
The physical location of school
Addition of or transfer of programs to new or different buildings
Grade level configuration
Type of school
Change in ownership and/or control
Change in legal status or form of control of the institution
Opening a branch or classroom extension
Change in established mission or objectives
Addition of courses or programs that represent a significant departure, in terms of either the content or method of delivery, from those that were offered when NLSA most recently evaluated the institution.
The NLSA Early Childhood accreditation process recently underwent major revisions which were released for use on September 1, 2018. Any schools beginning the NLSA Early Childhood accreditation process must use these new resources from this point forward. If you have questions about this change or any Early Childhood accreditation-related issues, please contact LCMS School Ministry.
Previous Documentation
If you are looking for EBA or Early Childhood school documents (Self-Study and Administrator Handbook) from the September 2021 revision, you will need to contact your District Education Executive or NLSA District Commissioner who will be able to supply you with these resources. Remember, you will have needed to have your NLSA Application processed in the NLSA national office prior to September 1, 2022 for you to use these resources. If you did not have your application in prior to this date, you will need to use the updated resources available above.
Questions About the School Resources?
If you have questions related to any of the above NLSA School Documents and Resources, please either contact your local LCMS District office or District Commissioner through the links below. They are equipped to guide you and your schools through the complete NLSA process to completion. Additionally, if you are wanting to include any of the official NLSA logos and images in any of your publications, please feel free to do so using the resources available through the “NLSA Media Downloads” button.