Accreditation
Our Accreditation
The Idaho Virtual Academy has been accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS)
in recognition of the high quality education that IDVA provides to students. As with all schools that receive accreditation from NAAS, applicant schools are required to host an initial team visit. Then the school completes a self-study process and hosts a second visiting team, which reviews and validates the self-study. The last step is for an annual report to be reviewed by the appropriate state committee.
What is a credit?
The NAAS Policies and Procedures Manual defines a credit as a common unit of measure that represents successful student achievement relevant to a predefined area of study. The standard for the predefined area of study shall be determined by the particular state, informed by national guidelines. A credit is often defined as a unit of credit awarded for successful completion of a course, which shall include not less than 120 hours of instruction or its equivalent per year.
If I move will my credits transfer to a school in another state?
Generally, the answer is "yes." NAAS, along with the other five regional accreditation agencies, participates in reciprocity of credits between regions and states. Where a question arises parents are encouraged to meet the principal of the receiving school. If resolution cannot be met they can call NAAS and the organization will seek to involve the particular region's association.
Note: The Commission of the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools approves accreditation for schools presented by the seven state accreditation committees and the International and Transregional committee twice per year.
All of the K-12 school commissions, including the NAAS, are only acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOEd) as one of the six regional accreditation agencies for K-12 education. The K-12 commissions are not “formally” recognized, as recognition by the USDOEd is strictly for postsecondary institutions seeking access to federal funds for financial assistance programs for U.S. citizens.
What is a credit?
The NAAS Policies and Procedures Manual defines a credit as a common unit of measure that represents successful student achievement relevant to a predefined area of study. The standard for the predefined area of study shall be determined by the particular state, informed by national guidelines. A credit is often defined as a unit of credit awarded for successful completion of a course, which shall include not less than 120 hours of instruction or its equivalent per year.
If I move will my credits transfer to a school in another state?
Generally, the answer is "yes." NAAS, along with the other five regional accreditation agencies, participates in reciprocity of credits between regions and states. Where a question arises parents are encouraged to meet the principal of the receiving school. If resolution cannot be met they can call NAAS and the organization will seek to involve the particular region's association.
Note: The Commission of the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools approves accreditation for schools presented by the seven state accreditation committees and the International and Transregional committee twice per year.
All of the K-12 school commissions, including the NAAS, are only acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOEd) as one of the six regional accreditation agencies for K-12 education. The K-12 commissions are not “formally” recognized, as recognition by the USDOEd is strictly for postsecondary institutions seeking access to federal funds for financial assistance programs for U.S. citizens.
