Benefits

Elevated Program Quality
APPLE’s rigorous standards guide you through a process of continuous improvement—ensuring that your environment, curriculum, teacher qualifications, and operational practices are aligned with research-based best practices in education.

Increased Trust and Credibility
Families want assurance that their child is in a safe, nurturing, and high-quality environment. APPLE Accreditation is a clear and visible sign of your commitment to quality, building trust with families, and enhancing your reputation in the community. APPLE-accredited schools can be trusted by the public to be what they claim to be and to do what they claim to do. Whatever an APPLE-accredited school says about itself carries the sanction and confidence of the professional community and the stakeholders within your school.

Exclusive Access to Resources
APPLE Accredited programs gain access to tools, templates, and professional development resources designed to support operational success and educational excellence.

Florida’s Gold Seal Quality Care Program
If your center is located in Florida, APPLE Accreditation qualifies you for the Gold Seal Quality Care Program. Participation in this state-recognized initiative provides meaningful financial benefits, including:

• Ad valorem tax relief
• Sales tax exemption on educational supplies and materials
• Increased reimbursement rates for subsidized child care
• Higher reimbursement for School Readiness providers. You may find more information regarding School Readiness at School Readiness Program.
• Eligibility to participate in Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) (Proof of the Gold Seal Quality Care Accreditation may be required). You may find more information regarding VPK at Voluntary Prekindergarten Program.

Dual Accreditation with NCPSA
APPLE is a nationally recognized accrediting agency approved by the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA). This means your school isn’t just APPLE Accredited—it’s also dually accredited through NCPSA, further elevating your standing among families and stakeholders.

• The ability to offer NHS/NJHS membership to our members
• The ability for member schools to offer AP coursework through College Board
• Member schools have the NCPSA accreditation seal of approval and have the ability to purchase the certificate to display at the school
• Through APPLE and NCPSA,  recognition and agreements, cooperative accreditation, and transferability of credits are possible for students attending APPLE and NCPSA-accredited schools.
• NCPSA is a member and participant with the Regional Accrediting Associations as part of the Alliance of Regional Accreditors.

A Competitive Advantage
APPLE Accreditation sets your school apart in a competitive marketplace. Whether you're seeking to grow enrollment, retain top staff, or demonstrate excellence to regulators and families alike, accreditation is a strategic investment in your school’s future.