The International School of Berne was first accredited in 1984 and was re-accredited in 1994.
In October 2004 the International School of Berne welcomed the visiting team representing the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. They were here to evaluate the school based on the self-study report the school community had spent 12 months preparing.

The report we produced consisted of 15 sections, each section had a factual description, a review of current practices with reference to the school’s Philosophy and Objectives and the Standards for Accreditation, and a statement of conclusions. In each section documents had to be provided in support of the statements made. The sections of the report were as follows:

• Philosophy and Objectives,
• Organisation and Administration
• School Staff
• Early Childhood Programme
• Elementary Curriculum Programme
• Secondary Curriculum Programme
• Special Needs Education
• Guidance Services
• Health Services and Safety
• Student Services
• Student Life
• Library/Media Centre
• School Facilities
• Finances and Financial Management
• Assessment of Student Learning

The visiting team spent a week in the school reviewing our report against the practices in place, as well as discussing each section of the report with the members of the committee that wrote it.
The letters of re accreditation from the two accrediting organisations are reproduced below. 

Award of CIS Re-Accreditation

The Board of Trustees of the Council of International Schools has now completed its study of the report on your school submitted by the October 2004 CIS/NEASC Visiting Team. Board Members have also considered the recommendation of the Visiting Team, and that of the CIS Accreditation Advisors, with regard to the school's accredited status.

I am pleased to inform you that the resulting decision is that the International School of Berne should be awarded CIS re-accreditation throughout its age range. Congratulations to you, your staff and the entire school community on this achievement.

In reaching its decision, CIS took into account the positive features of the school which were highlighted in the Visiting Team Report. For example:

• A clear mission statement.
• Fine leadership.
• A strong commitment to improvement.
• An expert faculty and staff.
• A dedicated Board and Administration.
• A well-established IB Diploma Programme.

CIS also noted that the Visiting Team made a number of recommendations, particularly on these topics:

• A more coherent approach to curriculum planning.
• A greater commitment to professional development.
• A fully operational appraisal system for faculty, staff, the Board and the Administration.
• Careful and urgent attention to identified safety issues.
• Financial planning.
• Better assessment procedures.
• Better orientation of new staff.
• A school-wide ICT plan.

CIS expects you to pay special attention to these recommendations over the coming period.

Award of NEASC Re-Accreditation

The Commission on American and International Schools Abroad (CAISA) of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges at its May, 2005 meeting considered the Visiting Team Report for the International School of Berne submitted by Mark Segar and Gary Crippin subsequent to the Team Visit October 23-29, 2004. CAISA voted to accept the report, commend the school, and continue the school in accreditation until its next report, which would be the Two-Year Report due October 1, 2006. CAISA acknowledges the tremendous effort required on everyone’s part to complete a thorough and thoughtful Self-Study and to host a Visiting Team for a week. Therefore we commend and congratulate the school on a job well done.

CAISA would also like to commend the school for:

1. The high level of mutual support found throughout the school, including the Board, administration, faculty, students, and parents.
2. The friendliness and respect throughout the campus.
3. The dedication of the Board and administration in moving the school forward.
4. The international focus and the use of diversity.
5. The quality IB curriculum which the supports the mission and Purposes and Objectives of the school.
6. The clarity and succinctness of the mission statement.
7. The faculty for their dedication and effective performance in the classroom, and for the high quality of their interactions and relationships with students.

The Visiting Team Report contains a large number of recommendations that, if implemented, can assist the staff and administration in their efforts to improve school offerings. CAISA looks forward to receiving the school’s responses to all Visiting Team recommendations in the Two-Year Report. CAISA would request that the school give particular attention to the following recommendations:

1. The school should develop a tool to measure the school’s level of success in meeting its mission, aims and objectives.
2. The school develop measurable objectives to support the mission statement.
3. The Board and administration continue to work proactively to address the financial challenges confronting the school.
4. Fully institute the evaluation (appraisal system) and professional development programme for Director, Board, and teachers.
5. Develop appropriate assessment of student achievement.
6. Conduct curriculum evaluation and review on a continuing basis using a variety of assessment tools.