International and USA Accreditation

In May 2009 a team of school administrators representing both the Council of International Schools and the U.S. Based New England Association of Schools and Colleges visited Luanda to do a re- evaluation of LIS to ensure continuation of our current accreditation status.  This visit was extremely successful and the School was fully re-accredited at all year levels.

The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) is the oldest of the six regional accrediting agencies in the United States.  Since its inception in 1885, the Association has awarded accreditation to educational institutions in the six-state New England region that seek voluntary affiliation.  In 1980, NEASC agreed to work co-operatively with the European Council of International Schools (ECIS) in serving institutions interested in seeking accreditation with both organisations. This cooperation continued when ECIS transferred responsibility for accreditation services to the Council of International Schools (CIS) in July 2003.

CIS is an independent, non-profit, membership organisation of approximately 500 international schools in approximately 110 countries throughout the world.  It serves the interests of some 340,000 young people, a constituency which represents many nationalities with varied cultural, religious, and linguistic backgrounds.  CIS also includes universities and colleges to which students from international schools apply.

Presently over 200 CIS member schools have been granted accredited status following a directed comprehensive self-study and a rigorous, thorough evaluation by a Visiting Team, which found them to meet the CIS Standards for Accreditation.  Accredited schools are subject to regular monitoring through routine progress reports and visits, and they must undergo a full re-evaluation every ten years.  CIS accreditation is accepted throughout the world, including in the USA through the recognition programme of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

Concluding statements from the May 2009 visiting team :
CIS was pleased to note the school’s positive response to the recommendations made in the May 2004 Visiting Team Report, the May 2005 Special Visit and Report, and the May 2007 Additional Grades Visit Report. The latest Visitors highlighted a number of positive school features, including:

• The outstanding support of the Board of Directors and their respective companies for their determination to make the Luanda International School an outstanding school.
• The Board’s appointment of the new Director who has the knowledge, enthusiasm, passion and outstanding leadership skills to lead LIS through its next phase of growth.
• The highly qualified faculty and staff who are committed to providing and supporting the LIS Philosophy and Mission.
• The Director for his vision and ability to make positive things happen for the entire LIS school community.
• The major construction projects and improved facilities for students and faculty which enrich their lives.

The School is also an International Baccalaureate World school authorized to offer all three programmes of the International Baccalaureate.