FAQ

Q: If I serve students ages birth to grade 12 can APPLE accredit my entire school through one process?

A: Yes

Q: How much does it cost for a school to pursue and maintain APPLE Accreditation?  

A: Please refer to our fee schedule. If you have any questions about the fee schedule and how it applies to your school, please reach out to us at info@faccm.org or (800) 322-2603 and we would be happy to help.

Q: How many years does APPLE Accreditation remain valid once awarded to a school pursuing Initial Accreditation (first time)? Re-accreditation (second time)?

A: Schools who are pursuing Initial Accreditation (first time) are accredited for 3 years. Schools who are pursuing Re-accreditation and are in good standing with APPLE are eligible for a 5-year accreditation.

Q: What happens during the Verification Visit?

A: A verification visit is an on-site evaluation conducted by an APPLE Accreditation verifier to assess whether a school meets APPLE Accreditation’s standards. During this visit, a trained verifier observes daily operations, reviews documentation, interviews staff, and ensures the school is in compliance with accreditation criteria. The visit serves as a critical step in the accreditation process, validating the school’s self-assessment and commitment to quality.

Q: What kind of support does APPLE offer during the accreditation process, especially for first-time applicants?

A: The APPLE team is available to answer questions relevant to the standards and help guide the school in the right direction.

Should a school require more intensive experience in building a Portfolio and preparing for a Verification Visit, we offer a couple of opportunities:

• APPLE Accreditation Institute
• APPLE Certified Consultants
• Technical Assistance: Available for a fee

Q: Who makes the decision about whether a school becomes APPLE Accredited?

A: APPLE’s commission is the decision-making body. The commission meets monthly; its members are comprised of school leaders. This peer-review process ensures accreditation awards are made by experienced professionals in the field.

• Accreditation in Good Standing: A school is awarded a 3-year new accreditation or 5-year reaccreditation.
• Accreditation Deferral: Accreditation is deferred and an unannounced second verification visit at the expense of the program is recommended.
• Accreditation with Probation: A school is awarded a 3-year accreditation upon successful completion of a Program Action Plan and an unannounced second verification visit at the expense of the program.
• Denied Accreditation: This occurs if there is a severe health and safety issue observed during the verification visit or after a school has made a failed attempt at the Accreditation Deferral process.

Q: What happens if a center doesn’t meet all the accreditation criteria during the verification? Is there a chance to improve and reapply?

A: If a center doesn’t meet all accreditation criteria during the verification, it may receive an accreditation deferral, meaning accreditation cannot be granted at that time. In this case, the center has the option to make the recommended improvements and schedule an unannounced second verification visit, at its own expense, within four months. If a second deferral is issued after this visit, the center will not receive accreditation.

Q: How do I maintain my APPLE Accreditation after initial approval? What are the requirements for renewal?

A: To maintain APPLE Accreditation, a school must complete an annual report and pay the associated fee. APPLE suggests reaccreditation application submission 12 months before accreditation expires, APPLE will begin sending reminders to prompt the school to start the reaccreditation process.

Q: I have a new school being built within the next three years. What happens if we move to the new space during that time? Will we lose accreditation?

A: There is a Change of Location Application (fees are those of the expedited application/verification). You will be issued a provisional 1 year license to reduce the possibility of lapse.

Q: I plan on adding additional grade levels to my school over the course of the next few years. What, if anything do I need to do with APPLE if I add additional grade levels?

A: If an accredited school wants to add an additional grade level or delete an additional grade level to their accreditation, they should submit a substantive change form to APPLE along with their approval from DOE/whoever the local authority is and pay a $100 form/substantive change fee. Once APPLE approves the addition or subtraction of the grade level then we will send the school a new certificate to reflect the school’s updated grade levels. This process must be completed each time a new grade level is added or removed.

Q: What is the percentage of those who apply and earn accreditation?

A: About 96%