130 Years Strong

Celebrate With Us

Building on a proud legacy

We’re honored to have partnered with tens of thousands of educational institutions since 1895. Cognia’s commitment to teaching and learning began with accreditation and expanded to assessment, professional learning, and overall school and system improvement. Our founders believed in empowering educators and creating student opportunities—a legacy we continue today as a nonprofit global improvement organization.

Getting the work done

Schools put in the work every day to improve the education experience. We commend every educator for their unwavering dedication to serving their students. To celebrate our 130-year legacy as a school improvement organization, we are asking our Cognia network to share their success stories.

Member spotlight

During my 7-year tenure as Superintendent of Rockdale County Public Schools, I have been amazed at Cognia’s steadfast commitment to consistent collaboration and consultation on a wide range of continuous improvement matters. Specifically, Cognia’s collaborative and consultative support has significantly benefitted my school district in the areas of school improvement, accreditation, and governance team improvement. Cognia has provided meaningful, specific, and targeted professional development across many domains designed to sustain organizational continuous improvement.

Terry O. Oatts, Ed.D.

Superintendent
Rockdale County High School & Rockdale County Public Schools District
Accredited since 1974 & 2009 respectively

Your story

Michael Kuran

Chief Academic Officer
Concept Schools
Accredited since 2024

Cognia Accreditation has been instrumental in our continuous improvement journey at Concept Schools. Being recognized as a ‘System of Distinction’ reaffirmed our best practices and provided valuable insights during our accreditation process. The engagement review helped us identify key areas...

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Cognia Accreditation has been instrumental in our continuous improvement journey at Concept Schools. Being recognized as a ‘System of Distinction’ reaffirmed our best practices and provided valuable insights during our accreditation process. The engagement review helped us identify key areas for growth, guiding the development of our five-year strategic plan. Cognia’s research-based standards have been a cornerstone in shaping sound, data-driven improvement efforts that enhance teaching and learning across our network.

Michael Kuran

Chief Academic Officer
Concept Schools

Mai Samy

English Teacher
El Fouad International School
Accredited since 2006

Cognia helps schools improve education quality, equipping teachers with better instructional methods and using data-driven insights to personalize learning. By fostering a supportive and engaging school environment, Cognia ensures students receive the resources they need to succeed. Its globally recognized...

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Cognia helps schools improve education quality, equipping teachers with better instructional methods and using data-driven insights to personalize learning. By fostering a supportive and engaging school environment, Cognia ensures students receive the resources they need to succeed. Its globally recognized accreditation also strengthens college applications. Committed to continuous improvement, Cognia empowers schools to provide the best possible education and future opportunities for students.

Mai Samy

English Teacher
El Fouad International School

Pastor Sandra Smith

Education Administrator
Adult & Teen Challenge Thrive Girls Academy
Accredited since 2023

The Cognia Learning Library, data, and feedback have become invaluable in our continuous improvement efforts. Parent, student, and staff surveys provide insights that drive action. For example, student feedback led to a donation initiative that helped purchase course materials for...

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The Cognia Learning Library, data, and feedback have become invaluable in our continuous improvement efforts. Parent, student, and staff surveys provide insights that drive action. For example, student feedback led to a donation initiative that helped purchase course materials for two campuses. To better track student progress, we created a Progress Report Analysis Form, followed by a Student Check-In Form that fosters one-on-one conversations between students and the Education Coordinator. This process empowers students to take ownership of their learning. To support educators, we developed a Job Aid Form with clear expectations, performance ratings, and opportunities for feedback. Monthly staff meetings, ongoing professional development, and regular data reviews ensure we continuously refine our approach. By using data-driven strategies and collaborative problem-solving, we are creating a culture of growth, motivation, and student success—both in our program and beyond.

Pastor Sandra Smith

Education Administrator
Adult & Teen Challenge Thrive Girls Academy

Caroline McKaughan

Academic Dean
Oak Ridge Military Academy
Accredited since 1899

Oak Ridge Military Academy is a college preparatory, co-educational, military boarding school for grades 7-12. Established in 1852, ORMA was the first school in North Carolina to be accredited by Cognia (SACS) in 1899. Through the years, the Continuous Improvement...

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Oak Ridge Military Academy is a college preparatory, co-educational, military boarding school for grades 7-12. Established in 1852, ORMA was the first school in North Carolina to be accredited by Cognia (SACS) in 1899. Through the years, the Continuous Improvement Process has helped ORMA maintain its quality of education and remain relevant despite the many changes to education through the decades. ORMA looks forward to another 125 years with Cognia!

Caroline McKaughan

Academic Dean
Oak Ridge Military Academy

Sherine Hamdy

Head of institution
Port Said American School
Accredited since 2001

Cognia Accreditation has been essential in ensuring our school meets high-quality standards and building trust with parents, teachers, and students. It fosters accountability and continuous improvement, helping us refine our educational services. The accreditation mark reassures families, making our school...

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Cognia Accreditation has been essential in ensuring our school meets high-quality standards and building trust with parents, teachers, and students. It fosters accountability and continuous improvement, helping us refine our educational services. The accreditation mark reassures families, making our school a preferred choice over non-accredited institutions. We strive for continuous improvement through strategic planning, adaptability, and discipline—breaking down large goals into manageable steps and adjusting as needed. Cognia’s structured framework guides us in assessing and enhancing our practices, encouraging regular evaluations to strengthen our strengths and address areas for growth.

Sherine Hamdy

Head of institution
Port Said American School

Jack VonHandorf

Principal
Notre Dame Academy
Accredited since 1924

Our partnership with Cognia has been instrumental in shaping our commitment to educational excellence for over a century. Cognia’s comprehensive standards resonate deeply with our core values, emphasizing the development of the whole child—mind, body, and spirit. This alignment has...

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Our partnership with Cognia has been instrumental in shaping our commitment to educational excellence for over a century. Cognia’s comprehensive standards resonate deeply with our core values, emphasizing the development of the whole child—mind, body, and spirit. This alignment has empowered us to cultivate a learning environment where students thrive academically, emotionally, and spiritually, preparing them for success in a rapidly changing world. We are grateful for Cognia’s support in helping us realize our mission and vision for the past 100 years.

Jack VonHandorf

Principal
Notre Dame Academy

Geoff Andrews

Superintendent of Schools
Catholic Diocese of Salina
Accredited since 2022

Cognia Accreditation has been instrumental in helping the Diocese of Salina maintain a clear focus on continuous improvement amid the many demands of education. By providing a framework for reflection and growth, Cognia has helped us strengthen our schools, ensuring...

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Cognia Accreditation has been instrumental in helping the Diocese of Salina maintain a clear focus on continuous improvement amid the many demands of education. By providing a framework for reflection and growth, Cognia has helped us strengthen our schools, ensuring that faith and academic excellence remain at the heart of all we do. Their accreditation process challenges us to push beyond the status quo, fostering a culture of innovation that directly enhances teaching and learning. We are grateful for Cognia’s 130 years of leadership in education and look forward to many more years of partnership in shaping the future of our students.

Geoff Andrews

Superintendent of Schools
Catholic Diocese of Salina

Dina El Hadary

School Principal
Alexandria Private Language School American Division
Accredited since 2003

Our success is deeply intertwined with our partnership with Cognia. Cognia’s support has transformed our journey, particularly through professional development opportunities via the Cognia Learning Community. These workshops and training programs have empowered our staff to deliver high-quality education and...

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Our success is deeply intertwined with our partnership with Cognia. Cognia’s support has transformed our journey, particularly through professional development opportunities via the Cognia Learning Community. These workshops and training programs have empowered our staff to deliver high-quality education and adapt to modern classroom demands. The Effective Learning Environments Observation Tool (eleot) has been invaluable in assessing and enhancing our classroom environments and boosting student engagement. Additionally, stakeholder surveys facilitated by Cognia have provided critical feedback, fostering a culture of transparency and continuous improvement Through webinars, resources, and the annual Cognia conference, our team has gained insight into the latest trends and standards in education, helping us stay ahead. Cognia’s unwavering support and innovative tools have helped us create a thriving educational environment where both students and staff reach their full potential.

Dina El Hadary

School Principal
Alexandria Private Language School American Division

Maria de Lourdes Guajardo de Elzondo, M.Ed.

Motolinia International Institute
Accredited since 2023

Working with Cognia has profoundly impacted our school. They’ve partnered with us to guide our students toward academic excellence, social participation, and personal growth while helping us grow as a unified community. Guided by our institutional principles aligned with Cognia’s...

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Working with Cognia has profoundly impacted our school. They’ve partnered with us to guide our students toward academic excellence, social participation, and personal growth while helping us grow as a unified community. Guided by our institutional principles aligned with Cognia’s standards, we stay true to our mission of keeping students at the heart of everything we do. Thank you, Cognia!

Maria de Lourdes Guajardo de Elzondo, M.Ed.

Motolinia International Institute

Mike Daria, Ed.D.

Superintendent
Tuscaloosa City Board of Education & Tuscaloosa Central High School
Accredited since 2009 & 1943 respectively

The Tuscaloosa City Schools is making significant strides toward becoming a premier school district for all students. Our success is driven by a system commitment for continuous improvement and innovation. Cognia has been a trusted and invaluable partner in this...

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The Tuscaloosa City Schools is making significant strides toward becoming a premier school district for all students. Our success is driven by a system commitment for continuous improvement and innovation. Cognia has been a trusted and invaluable partner in this journey, providing guidance that keeps us focused on our mission of success for all learners. Their support challenges our organizational thinking, inspires us to aim higher, and ensures we are better every day for our students and community.

Mike Daria, Ed.D.

Superintendent
Tuscaloosa City Board of Education & Tuscaloosa Central High School

Christopher Uden

Principal
International American School of Warsaw
Accredited since 2005

Working with Cognia has sharpened our focus on school development by leveraging the Cognia Performance Standards to foster a vibrant, student-centered learning community. This partnership not only empowers us as educators but also greatly enriches our students’ educational experiences and...

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Working with Cognia has sharpened our focus on school development by leveraging the Cognia Performance Standards to foster a vibrant, student-centered learning community. This partnership not only empowers us as educators but also greatly enriches our students’ educational experiences and supports their personal growth.

Christopher Uden

Principal
International American School of Warsaw

Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools
Archdiocese of New York
Accredited since 2019

Cognia remains a trusted partner in our mission of continuous improvement. Their leadership and review team members are experts in the field with a deep breadth of experience at all levels necessary to ensure that students are receiving a well-rounded,...

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Cognia remains a trusted partner in our mission of continuous improvement. Their leadership and review team members are experts in the field with a deep breadth of experience at all levels necessary to ensure that students are receiving a well-rounded, faith-filled education. Cognia accreditation is truly the gold standard, and I have seen firsthand the long-term positive impact it has had on schools and diocesan systems.

Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools
Archdiocese of New York

Steve Hicks

Superintendent
Camp Verde Unified School District
Accredited since 2014

Partnering with Cognia has been a rewarding experience for our district. Following a prior engagement review that was significantly low, Cognia helped us implement a continuous improvement process, leading to an 85-point (43%) increase in our Index of Education Quality...

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Partnering with Cognia has been a rewarding experience for our district. Following a prior engagement review that was significantly low, Cognia helped us implement a continuous improvement process, leading to an 85-point (43%) increase in our Index of Education Quality Score. More importantly, we’ve seen notable growth in student achievement, along with improved school and district accountability scores. Cognia’s expertise and commitment to our success have been instrumental in helping us achieve these gains and support our continuous improvement journey.

Steve Hicks

Superintendent
Camp Verde Unified School District

Terry O. Oatts, Ed.D.

Superintendent
Rockdale County High School & Rockdale County Public Schools District
Accredited since 1974 & 2009 respectively

During my 7-year tenure as Superintendent of Rockdale County Public Schools, I have been amazed at Cognia’s steadfast commitment to consistent collaboration and consultation on a wide range of continuous improvement matters. Specifically, Cognia’s collaborative and consultative support has significantly...

READ MORE

During my 7-year tenure as Superintendent of Rockdale County Public Schools, I have been amazed at Cognia’s steadfast commitment to consistent collaboration and consultation on a wide range of continuous improvement matters. Specifically, Cognia’s collaborative and consultative support has significantly benefitted my school district in the areas of school improvement, accreditation, and governance team improvement. Cognia has provided meaningful, specific, and targeted professional development across many domains designed to sustain organizational continuous improvement.

Terry O. Oatts, Ed.D.

Superintendent
Rockdale County High School & Rockdale County Public Schools District

Cognia network members, share your improvement story!

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Our past paves the way for the future