WASS has officially received accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission, further affirming the School’s steadfast commitment to providing students with excellent, comprehensive, and sustainable education.

Cognia is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI).

Cognia recognizes schools across the globe that meet rigorous standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation, and effective leadership. Earning accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission means that the School meets Cognia Performance Standards and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement.

WASS has officially achieved accreditation and will maintain the accreditation for a six-year term after fully meeting all four Cognia Performance Standards: Culture of Learning, Leadership for Learning, Engagement of Learning, and Growth in Learning. Each area includes measurable criteria designed to evaluate leadership capacity, equity, instructional quality, stakeholder engagement, and learner outcomes.

Dr. Mark A. Elgart, President and CEO of Cognia, stated, “Cognia Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school and its community on the primary goal of ensuring all students can flourish in engaging and equitable learning environments. We commend WASS for meeting high standards and making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.”

To maintain its Cognia membership, WASS will need to ensure the following:

• Submit the Mid-Cycle Progress Report in the academic year 2027 – 2028.
• Participate in the Accreditation Engagement Review in the academic year 2030 – 2031.
• Maintain annual reports, financial audits, and all quality-assurance commitments.
• Engage in training and professional development programs in alignment with Cognia’s requirements.

“The Cognia accreditation is a clear testament to the credibility and quality of education that the WASS community has diligently built over the past 15 years. This achievement reflects WASS’s commitment to excellence, a spirit of continuous improvement based on evaluation and feedback, and relentless efforts to provide the best learning environment for our students”, shared Mr. Gustavo Páez – Principal of International Programs and Academic Director. “WASS will continue to stay true to its mission of delivering a high-quality, sustainable learning environment aimed at the holistic development of every student.”

This accomplishment is not only a significant milestone in WASS’s development journey but also a well-deserved recognition of the tireless efforts of teachers, students, and the entire WASS community in creating a modern, humane, and inspiring learning environment – a place where every student can develop comprehensively in knowledge, skills, and character.

In the joyous spirit of celebrating the School’s 15th anniversary and this remarkable milestone, Ho Ngoc Quynh Giang, one of the WASS student representatives who participated in the Cognia interview, confidently reaffirmed the commitment of all WASSers, stating: “With hearts inspired and minds challenged, we’re ready to shape the future.”