Why is MCA not Accredited?

There are several reasons why MCA is not an accredited school.

First, MCA has an ideal, class size of no more than 15 students. MCA would be required to have bigger classes to be an accredited school.

Second, the schedule for students at Midland Classical Academy's Upper School is similar to a college or “block” schedule where classes do not meet every weekday. Some classes meet twice each week; others three times per week; etc. A student is also likely to have an open period or “block” of time between classes when he or she may study, seek help from a tutor, or even leave campus. Each student should expect approximately 15 hours per week of in-class time as well as approximately 25 hours of homework. This schedule promotes individual (self-initiated) learning, time management skills, and is excellent preparation for college. Grammar School students attend school two and a half days each week. The other two and a half days they work on assignments, at home, under the guidance of their parents . The unique schedules of MCA students, do not allow MCA to meet the accreditation requirement for in-class hours.

Third, MCA operates with a minimal administrative staff and supplements with parents' service hours. In order to be accredited MCA would have to employ a larger staff, which would cause tuition to rise significantly. These three things would not allow MCA to operate under the educational principles and philosophy the school has chosen.

Accreditation Versus True Accountability

Accreditation was originally intended to hold schools accountable for successfully educating students. Today, schools mainly seek accreditation in order to receive funding from the state. Seeking accreditation for this purpose is not a bad thing; however, accreditation is not necessarily an indicator of whether or not a school is performing well. MCA believes there is still a place for accountability. Instead of seeking accreditation through the state, MCA is held accountable by universities, students, and parents.

Who Is MCA Accountable To?

The primary goal of MCA is to prepare students for college by challenging students to strive for academic excellence and to develop hearts of ministry toward others. Most schools only pursue one of these methods of preparing students for college. A school that leans only toward academic excellence becomes a preparatory school where only grades matter and character development is neglected. On the other hand, a school that leans only toward developing students with hearts of ministry becomes nothing more than a glorified youth group. Students from the latter may be a light to the community, but because they haven't trained their minds, their impact will be limited. MCA seeks to do both and is held accountable in the following ways:

First, MCA is accountable to universities and institutions to which our graduates apply and are accepted. Students have been able to get into all of the schools listed on our website. If we began to see a trend of students falling short of this, we would implement change.

Second, MCA is accountable to students. If a tutor or teacher is not adequately challenging students, students may talk to the Dean of Students who will address the situation.

Finally, MCA is accountable to parents. If a parent sees something that could be done more effectively, they are encouraged to speak directly with the Dean of Students regarding their concern. In place of accreditation, MCA is held accountable to universities, students, and parents in achieving its primary purpose.