Founded in 1895, the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) is a non-governmental, voluntary organization that accredits 8,500 public and private schools and districts. NCA CASI accredits schools and districts in 19 states, the Navajo Nation, and the Department of Defense Dependents' Schools worldwide.
NCA CASI accredits a range of schools from pre-kindergarten through postsecondary, including: early childhood, elementary, middle, secondary, adult/vocational, college preparatory, special purpose, unit (K-12), and non-degree granting postsecondary schools.
In April 2006, NCA CASI, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), and National Study of School Evaluation (NSSE) came together to form one strong unified organization dedicated to education quality. That unified organization, known as AdvancED, creates the world's largest education community, representing over 27,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States and 69 countries worldwide and serving nearly 15 million students.
NCA CASI and SACS CASI are accrediting divisions of AdvancED.