From Rebecca W. Thomas
PCA Marketing and Communications Director
Prattville Christian Academy received a 5-year accreditation approval from Cognia™, a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service providers. The purpose of accreditation is to ensure that students are being served to the school’s maximum potential. During an accreditation visit, a team of individuals from within the association conduct a thorough onsite review that provides information to the school about recommended areas of growth and highlights areas of excellence.
Cognia, formerly AdvancED, nationally recognizes schools and 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 means that the school is accredited, and that Prattville Christian Academy is recognized across the nation as a school that meets Cognia Standards of Quality, and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement.
“School accreditation as conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission provides PCA with a nationally recognized mark of quality for our school,” said Kim Stephenson, academic director. “It demonstrates to our community PCA’s commitment to excellence, an openness to external review and feedback, and the desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we serve.”
During PCA’s most recent review, the onsite accreditation team noted the following special commendations and powerful school practices unique to PCA as a Cognia and National Christian School Association (NCSA) private school.
Pursuing and reaching the National Blue Ribbon School designation
Creation of specialized student learning options outside the general classroom through resource and gifted programs
Relationship formation at the classroom and school-level of a family atmosphere
Biblical integration across all classrooms, subjects, and grade-levels with no deficiencies noted
Quality education in which every class showed: challenging but attainable education, high expectations for every student, evident differentiation in classrooms, great teacher/student relationships
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 preparing lifelong learners in engaging environments where all students can flourish. Prattville Christian Academy is to be commended for demonstrating that it has met high standards, and is making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.”
To read more about Prattville Christian Academy’s most recent accreditation review, visit
4pca.org/accreditation
About Prattville Christian Academy
Prattville Christian Academy (PCA) is a K3-12 private, non-denominational, independently incorporated school dedicated to providing academic excellence, with an emphasis on life readiness skills, in a caring, Christian environment. Learn more at www.4pca.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 over 80 countries, our 36,000 institutions serve and support nearly 25 million students and five million educators every day. Cognia serves as a trusted partner in advancing learning for all. Find out more at cognia.org.
