VCPE Membership
VCPE membership is primarily comprised of VCPE-approved accrediting associations that do the work of accrediting private schools on behalf of VCPE to fulfill its duties outlined in state law.
Accrediting associations desiring VCPE membership, which conveys VCPE-approved accrediting status in the Commonwealth of Virginia should follow the process outlined below.
VCPE Membership Procedures
Accrediting associations may apply for membership with the Virginia Council for Private Education (VCPE) by completing the following steps, as well as any other requirements communicated to the accrediting association by VCPE:
Step 1. Pre-application
Any accrediting association interested in applying for VCPE membership must complete the Pre-Application Form, which expresses the applicant association’s interest in membership. The VCPE pre-application form is found HERE.
Step 2. Initial Consultation
Once VCPE has received the completed Pre-Application Form, VCPE will schedule an initial consultation with the applicant association to discuss requirements for and benefits of membership before the applicant association submits a formal membership application packet.
Step 3. Submit Membership Application
The applicant association will submit its membership application to VCPE (PO Box 29255, Richmond, Virginia 23242) for preliminary review by the VCPE Accreditation Committee, along with a $500 non-refundable application fee payable to VCPE. The membership application must include the following:
- Letter of Interest: A formal letter signed by an authorized official from the applicant association (e.g., Board Chair or Executive Director) stating the applicant association’s intent to become a VCPE member.
- Organizational Overview: Documentation of the applicant association’s mission, goals, governance structure (e.g., independent Board of Trustees) and tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.
- Standards of Accreditation: A complete copy of the applicant association’s accreditation standards. For VCPE membership approval, the applicant association’s standards must meet or exceed the VCPE Standards of Accreditation.
- Execution of Attestation Form: A signed copy of THIS attestation form, which is required to be acknowledged annually by all members. On the attestation form, the applicant association attests its understanding of ongoing VCPE compliance requirements for members and that the applicant association is required to ensure all schools it accredits are in compliance with all VCPE requirements and applicable laws.
- Accreditation Process Description: A detailed explanation of the applicant association’s accreditation review cycle for schools, which must include:
- Self-Study - Requirements for candidate schools and schools renewing accreditation status to perform internal evaluations.
- Peer Review - The process for onsite visits by trained professional teams.
Step 4. Association Self-Study
Once VCPE has received the complete application packet, letter of interest, and non-refundable application fee, the association self-study will be sent to the applicant association.
Step 5. Scheduling On-Site Peer Observation
At the same time as the association self-study is sent to the applicant association, VCPE will contact the applicant association to schedule a date for VCPE peer observers to conduct an on-site peer observation of the applicant association’s accreditation process. All reasonable expenses incurred by the peer observers will be paid or reimbursed by the applicant association under review for VCPE approval.
Step 6. Council Vote
After completion of the on-site peer observation, the peer observers will submit a report to the VCPE Accreditation Committee with a recommendation as to whether or not the applicant association meets the VCPE standards of accreditation. The Accreditation Committee will then present a recommendation to the VCPE Board of Directors for a recommendation to the full Council to approve or deny the applicant association as a member of VCPE. Finally, the Council will formally vote to approve or deny the applicant association’s membership into VCPE.
Step 7. Ongoing Compliance
Once approved, members must participate in the VCPE peer review observation, submit annual reports, and maintain compliance with VCPE’s bylaws and all policies and procedures.