Phoenix, AZ (December, 2025) – SCOTTSDALE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY has earned Exemplary Accredited status through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). The school has received a 6 year term covering grades Kindergarten through 12th grade.
The school hosted a visiting team in October. The ACSI Accreditation Commission met in early November of 2025 and determined that Scottsdale Chrisitan Academy meets the requirements to earn ACSI Exemplary Accredited status.
ACSI Exemplary Accreditation is designed for high-performing schools that seek to be held to higher standards for all programs and operations. ACSI’s Senior Director of Accreditation and Credentialing, Stephen Deck, shared why accreditation is meaningful for schools.
Accreditation documents that a school is true to its stated mission and helps schools determine their own effectiveness in fulfilling the accreditation standards through a peer-review process that culminates in an action plan for continued improvement,” he said. “Similar to the picture in Jeremiah 17:7-8 of a tree planted by the water sending its roots by the stream, ACSI Accreditation provides a structured process for a school to strengthen its roots, helping the school to flourish.
ACSI’s Senior Director of AccreditationACSI has a highly regarded Christian accreditation program for member schools with its newly finalized protocol, Inspire. This vigorous, holistic process of organizational appraisal and improvement engages schools so that they can truly flourish.
In order to earn Exemplary status, the school must have a demonstrable history of exemplary programs and practices in governance, executive leadership, school viability, academic instruction, student learning, spiritual formation, and overall school culture (a vibrant, Christ-centered ethos among students, faculty, and leadership).
The school must also demonstrate a commitment to ongoing school improvement, as evidenced by stakeholder feedback, multiple forms of data, and past accreditation reports, to drive successful school improvement initiatives.
Accreditation through ACSI allows schools to assess their performance in multiple foundational areas of Christian education. These areas include governance, leadership, spiritual formation, student learning, and overall school culture.
Students who graduate from ACSI accredited Christian schools qualify for admission to most colleges and universities. ACSI has partnerships with all the U.S. regional accreditation agencies and offers joint accreditation with numerous accrediting organizations.
To learn more about ACSI Accreditation, visit the website or connect with the ACSI Care Team by calling (800) 367-0798 or by emailing careteam@acsi.org.
About ACSI:
Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, ACSI exists to strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators worldwide as they prepare students academically and inspire them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ. ACSI advances excellence in Christian schools by enhancing the professional and personal development of Christian educators and providing vital support functions for Christian schools through multiple services, including teacher and administrator certification, school accreditation, legal/legislative assistance, and curriculum publishing. Serving more than 25,000 schools in 108 countries, ACSI helps more than 5.5 million students worldwide connect to Christian education.
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KT Thompson has a BA in Secondary Education, with a focus in Art. She has a teaching certificate in Arizona and Washington. She has an MAPC from Ottawa University, as well as a CAGS in Marriage and Family Therapy. As a counselor, she was the Program Director for Student Counseling at ASU in the West Valley, one of the founding therapists for Remuda Ranch Eating Disorder Center, Program Director for "The New Song Center for Grieving Children", and a Crisis Responder for Glendale Fire Department. She has two grown adult children, one who lives here in the valley and is a Senior Pastor at the church she attends. Ms. Thompson enjoys art, sports, and the outdoors whenever possible.
