EdCircuit Staff 
Norman, OK – July 8, 2024 โ Evergreen Academy announced today that it has earned Cogniaยฎ Accreditation. Cognia is a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers.
Cognia, formerly AdvancED, nationally recognizes districts that meet rigorous standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation that meets the needs of learners, and effective leadership. Earning accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission signifies that Evergreen Academy meets Cognia Performance Standards and is recognized nationwide for its commitment to continuous improvement.
โSchool accreditation as conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission provides Evergreen Academy a nationally recognized mark of quality for our school,โ shared school co-founder, Matina Hunnell. โIt demonstrates to our community our commitment to excellence, our openness to external review and feedback, and our desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we serve.โ
To earn Cognia accreditation, a school must implement a continuous process of improvement and submit to internal and external reviews. Schools in good standing can maintain their accreditation for a six-year term.
Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia, stated, โCognia Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school and its community on the primary goal of preparing lifelong learners in engaging environments where all students can flourish. Evergreen Academy is to be commended for demonstrating that it has met high standards and is making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.โ
In addition to earning Cognia Accreditation, Evergreen Academy was awarded the prestigious Yass Prize for Education Freedom, often considered the Pulitzer of education. This honor came with a $200,000 award, highlighting Evergreen Academy’s innovative approach to education and commitment to student success.
Furthermore, Evergreen Academy gladly accepts the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit, which gives families between $5,000-$7,500 per student per year toward private school education, making quality education more accessible to a broader community.
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). Parents and interested community members can learn more about Cognia Accreditation at cognia.org.
About Cognia
Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, professional learning, and improvement services to institutions and other education providers. The result of the merger of AdvancED and Measured Progress, Cognia was formed to bridge the gap between school evaluation and student assessment. As a global nonprofit working in 90 countries, our 40,000 institutions serve and support nearly 17 million students and 800 thousand educators every day. Cognia serves as a trusted partner in advancing learning for all. Find out more at cognia.org.
About Evergreen Academy
Evergreen Academy is a micro-school and private school located in Norman, OK, affiliated with the Acton Academy Network. Accredited by Cognia and IALDS Gold, we are dedicated to providing a learner-driven education that fosters growth, character, and curiosity. Our mission is to empower students to find their calling and change the world. For more information, visit evergreenacton.com.
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