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Do I Need An Accredited Online Homeschool Curriculum?
When searching for the perfect online homeschool program, you’ve probably come across the term “accredited.” It sounds official—but what does it really mean? Can a curriculum be accredited, and if so, by whom? Do you actually need an accredited homeschool program, or is it simply a nice-to-have?
At Miacademy, we’ve chosen to pursue accreditation for all of our offerings, meeting the standards for both complete curricula and full schools (such as MOHS). But what exactly does choosing an accredited homeschool program mean for you?
Can a homeschool curriculum be accredited?
It’s a popular misconception that a homeschool curriculum cannot receive accreditation, since it is a curriculum and not a school. This is not entirely accurate — homeschool curricula can be accredited, they just receive a different type of accreditation than a school would.
What does it mean if a curriculum is accredited?
A curriculum being accredited means that the content has been reviewed for rigor and quality by a third party agency. Essentially, passing this review gives a curriculum a stamp of approval – one that is continuously revisited and renewed in order for a curriculum to keep its accreditation status.
The accreditation process is voluntary, and it is used to establish credibility. Lack of accreditation does not necessarily mean a program is low quality – it simply means that the program has not decided to complete the accreditation process.
It’s also important to know that the accreditation that a program or curriculum receives is different from the accreditation a school or institution would, because they serve different purposes.
A curriculum or program’s purpose is to be used as a tool for learning, not to issue degrees or diplomas. For example, when you graduate high school, your diploma isn’t awarded by your textbooks or lessons — it’s issued by your school, usually presented by the principal and often signed or approved by the superintendent. The same textbook can be issued across several schools, but only the school you attended can verify that you have mastered its contents.
What is SEP accreditation?
When a homeschool curriculum is accredited, it’s likely accredited as a SEP, or supplemental education program. But what does that mean exactly?
SEP accreditation is a type of accreditation designed specifically for curricula and educational programs, rather than full schools or institutions. A supplemental education program can be a complete curriculum, as the SEP title does not relate to the completeness of the content.
This type of accreditation recognizes that a program meets established standards for quality, consistency, and academic rigor—but unlike school accreditation, it applies specifically to curricula and educational programs rather than full institutions. This specific accreditation confirms that the program provides reliable, well-developed instruction that supports student learning, even if it isn’t a traditional school that grants diplomas.
In short, the SEP label does not mean the curriculum is any less complete—it just shows that it’s accredited as a program, not as a full school.
Is Miacademy accredited?
Yes! Our K-8 and high school programs each provide a comprehensive, all-in-one homeschool curriculum and are accredited through the ACS-WASC as supplementary education programs (SEPs). This title does not relate to the completeness of a curriculum. It is simply the term used for programs which do not offer degrees or diplomas.
What is the difference between an accredited and non-accredited homeschool?
The main difference between an accredited homeschool curriculum and a non-accredited one is the promise of quality assurance. In addition, an accredited curriculum may help you satisfy your state’s homeschool requirements more easily.
Typically, accredited homeschool curricula have established the following:
- The program has been reviewed by a qualified independent faculty with no relation to the program.
- The curriculum will be continually re-evaluated in order to maintain accreditation status.
- The content is student-focused.
- The program strives for educational excellence and effectiveness.
- The curriculum was created and maintained by certified educators.
You may be interested in an accredited homeschool curriculum if…
- You think your student may re-enter traditional school at some point.
- Accredited curricula are more likely to have credits transfer than non-accredited ones. Some schools may have strict guidelines in order for credits to count, so be sure to research your local public and private schools to see what they require.
- Your child has post-highschool plans that involve college or trade school, where proof of a quality education is especially crucial to have.
- You’d like to have peace of mind, knowing your child’s curriculum has been vetted and reviewed by an outside source for quality and consistency.
Choosing the Best Accredited Online Homeschool
With the number of online school options on the market, it can be hard for homeschool parents to compare curricula effectively. Especially for first-time homeschooling families, knowing that the program has been reviewed and has earned that stamp of approval can make your selection that much easier.
Interested in Miacademy? Any membership option (trial, monthly, annual, and lifetime) will grant access to not only our accredited homeschool curriculum spanning all core subjects and a wide variety of electives, but also our safe, moderated community features!
If you have any questions about our homeschool curriculum, accreditation, or homeschooling in general, our customer service team is always happy to help!