What does WASC Accreditation mean for CIA FIRST students?

The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC), is a world-renowned accrediting association and one of the six regional accrediting agencies in the United States. 

In November 2018 ACS WASC paid a visit to the CIA FIRST Campus to evaluate the school for their prestigious accreditation. They met with senior members of staff, management and teachers to access the curriculum, teaching practices and overall school practices. After the visit, CIA FIRST received the news that the school has been full ACS WASC accreditation from PK-12.

What does this mean for CIA FIRST?
Being ACS WASC accredited makes CIA FIRST one of only four schools in Cambodia that are fully accredited from PK-12 and which meets ACS WASC requirements and standards. 

What does this mean for parents who are considering CIA FIRST?

• Assures the school community that the school’s purposes are appropriate and being accomplished through a viable education program  — a trustworthy institution for student learning
  
• Validates the integrity of the school’s program and transcripts
  
• Facilitates transfer of credits to other English-speaking schools — critical for college/university acceptance worldwide
  
• Fosters the ongoing improvement of the school’s programs and operations to support student learning
  
• Provides valuable insight from fellow educators visiting the school
  
• Benefits schools that choose joint accreditation or other collaborative processes, e.g., ACS WASC/CDE.
  

What does this mean for our students?
To have the ACS WASC stamp of Accreditation on our High School graduating diplomas and transcripts, maximises the opportunities for our graduates to be accepted to the most competitive and highest quality universities worldwide. 

The Ministry for Education, Youth and Sport has already recognised CIA FIRST graduating diploma as equivalent to the Grade 12 National Diploma and now the ACS WASC accreditation gives students’ diplomas a stronger international recognition as well.

Well done to all staff especially our wonderful our Head of Curriculum for putting in this hard work so that our students may get the best education in Cambodia and compete on an international level!