Ohio Catholic School Accrediting Association
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Saturday, July 18, 2026

About OCSAA

Our Mission

The Ohio Catholic School Accrediting Association (OCSAA) was established in 1994 with a mission to assist, guide, and direct schools in:

  • Strengthening Catholic School Identity
  • Engaging in the ongoing improvement of student learning and performance
  • Complying with state operating standards for education
  • Complying with all applicable Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (previously Ohio Department of Education) rules and regulations

Our Schools

Catholic schools exist to proclaim the Gospel. The task of Catholic education is accomplished through a comprehensive religious education program, an excellent academic program, a faith-filled community, a vibrant family spirit, co-curricular and athletic programs, service to others, well-maintained campuses, and an atmosphere of respect and self-discipline.

“Our schools serve both the faith community and society by educating children, young people and adults to contribute to the common good by becoming active and caring members of the communities, cities, nation in which they live.”

Statement by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Find a School

Our Approach And Process

Our approach to accreditation emphasizes faith in action, student learning goals, application of knowledge, and involvement of the entire school community. OCSAA promotes collaboration, real-world learning, hands-on experiences, frequent monitoring of teaching and learning, and focused professional development.

The centerpiece of our process is the faculty's writing and implementing of a continuous improvement plan. The plan consists of two goals: to enhance faith formation (“Faith in Action”) and to focus on academic skill development. The plan includes developing a baseline of data, on-going professional development, changes in instructional strategies and assessment, and a framework for developing student engagement and mastery.

Accreditation Process

Annual Accreditation Schedule with Ohio Department of Education

ANNUAL VERIFICATION OF STANDARDS (AVS) 

Each OCSAA member school shall electronically update the Annual Verification of Operating Standards (AVS) report on the Web Portal by October 31st and February 28th. 

October 31st and February 28th - Deadline for schools to update data for Annual Verification of Standards Reports 1 and 2 on the OCSAA web portal. 

November 1st and March 1st - Schools not in compliance with Operating Standards will be issued a penalty or fine of $2.50/student.  Schools will receive a letter indicating issues of non-compliance, for both AVS 1 and AVS 2, and an invoice from OCSAA.  Non-compliance payment is due by January 31st for the October 31st review and April 30th for the February 28th review.  Schools have until January 31st to correct any non-compliance issues noted from the October 31st review and April 30th to correct any non-compliance issues noted from the February 28th review.

January 31st and April 30th - Any school with out-of-compliance issues will have a temporary revocation of Accreditation until the process of re-instatement is complete.  Schools will be informed of that process (see Writer's Guide).  Any school that did not pay the out-of-compliance penalty payment will not be considered an accredited member of the OCSAA until the penalty is paid in full.

In order to be considered an accredited member in good standing of OCSAA, all schools are required to regularly enter, on an on-going basis, accurate data to the web portal.

NOTE:  Schools are responsible to be 100% in compliance with all Operating Standards at all times.  It is the school Principal's responsibility to monitor and and to address any expiration and/or non-compliance issues.

Please Note: In accordance with Ohio Administrative Code, failure to implement state-approved Operating Standards may result in the Ohio Department of Education initiating efforts to revoke the school’s charter.

Accreditation Due Dates for Schools

  • October 31 - Annual Verification of Standards (AVS)  and Standard School Survey (SSS) Due (All schools, every year)
  • February 28 - Annual Verification of Standards (AVS)
  • April 15 - Reports due for Action on Accreditation (Schools in Self Study or Verification phases)
    • Preliminary School Improvement Plan
    • EVT Suggested Actions
    • Response to Suggested Actions
    • Final School Improvement Plan
  • May 1 - Progress Report I or II from schools with reports due


External Validation Team Visit - Staff Orientation Video

Schools may use the video below to explain to staff how the EVT process works.

View "EVT Staff Orientation Video" on YouTube