Following are the definitions for the seven classifications or categories. These definitions should be looked upon as guidelines with the final determination of classification resting with the Oregon State Accreditation Committee.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:
A school designed or organized with grades in early childhood, kindergarten, one
through eight, or any combination of these grades, except for schools identified
as solely middle level schools.
(click here for
Elementary Standards)
MIDDLE LEVEL SCHOOL:
A school designed or organized with any two or more consecutive grades, five
through ten inclusive, under a single administrative unit.
(click here for
Middle Level Standards)
HIGH SCHOOL:
A school designed or organized with grades seven through twelve or any
combination that includes grades nine through twelve, that provides a sequence
of organized learning experiences for students.
(click here for High
School Standards)
K-12 SCHOOL:
A school specifically organized or designed as a single K-12 administrative unit
for instructional purposes.
(click here for K-12
Standards)
DISTANCE EDUCATION SCHOOL:
A school that provides distance education courses through correspondence,
satellite, the Internet, or a combination thereof. Grades range from K-12 and
the companies offering the educational services may be either for profit or
proprietary in nature or non-profit. The instruction may represent the complete
education program of the student and lead to a diploma (elementary, middle
level, high school) or may supplement the residential program of the student.
(click
here for Distance Education Standards)
TRAVEL STUDY PROGRAMS:
These are K-12 schools that are typically operated as proprietary schools
designed to supplement and coordinate with existing school curriculums, but that
are taught at remote sites anywhere in the country or world. An example of
this type of school is the WorldStrides school.
(click
here for Travel Study Schools Standards)
SPECIAL PURPOSE SCHOOL:
A school that meets the special educational needs of students under unique
circumstances. Generally, such schools offer a limited array of educational
services and may not be compelled to adhere to the state’s common school
compulsory attendance laws or high school graduation requirements. Examples in
this category include the educational division of Job Corps Centers, alternative
schools, schools for the handicapped or gifted, schools serving special
populations, and special interest schools associated with the arts, music,
sciences, or career/vocational-technical education.
(click here for
Special Purpose Standards)
SUPPLEMENTARY EDUCATION PROGRAM:
A school that provides offerings in basic skills, education and application, and
other specific content areas (e.g., languages, computers, higher mathematics).
Learning centers are an example of a school in this category. A Supplemental
Program does not offer the full range of academic offerings, but a special
segment.
(click here for
Supplementary Education Program Standards)
NOTE: Schools in the Special Purpose and Supplementary Education Program classifications must demonstrate a successful two-year history of sound educational, fiscal, and business management prior to initial application for candidate membership.