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Accreditation Information

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is the affirmation that a school provides a quality of education that the community has a right to expect and the education world endorses. Accreditation is a means of showing confidence in a school’s performance. When the Middle States Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools accredits a school, it certifies that the school has met the prescribed qualitative standards of the Middle States Association within the terms of the school’s own stated philosophy and objectives.

The chief purpose of the whole accreditation process is the improvement of education for youth by evaluating the degree to which a school has attained worthwhile outcomes set by its own staff and community. This is accomplished by periodically conducting a comprehensive self-evaluation of the total school. Through the accreditation process, the school seeks the validation of its self-evaluation by obtaining professional judgment from impartial outsiders on the effectiveness of the total school operation. The intent throughout the process is more than to focus on shortcomings; the chief goal is to seek remedies for inadequacies and to identify and nurture good practices.

Accreditation of a school offers the following benefits to the school community and its stakeholders:

  • Greater clarity of purpose
  • Stronger internal relationships
  • Wider professional participation
  • More effective methods of planning for school improvement
  • Improved consistency between educational purpose and practice

Accreditation is Voluntary

Accreditation through the Middle States Commission of Secondary Schools (MCSS) is a process we voluntarily engaged in.  It required us to take a step back, look at where we have been, where we are and where we wish to be as an organization.
 
The world is changing at a rapid rate – technological innovations, globalization, and the economic downturn are powerful forces that require us to challenge our practice in order to help today’s students meet tomorrow’s challenges. Middle States Accreditation is an opportunity for us to work collaboratively with school professionals, community members, parents, and students to reflect on our mission and vision, identify strengths and weaknesses, set meaningful and challenging goals, and generate plans to reach them. The end result of the process is a road map that will guide our work through the next decade.  The Middle States team validated the school's Evaluation and Vision using the following 12 standards:
 
  • Mission and Philosophy
  • Governance and Leadership
  • School Improvement Planning
  • Finances
  • Facilities
  • School Climate and Organization
  • Health and Safety
  • Educational Programs
  • Assessment of Student Learning
  • Student Services
  • Student Life and Activities
  • Information Resources and Technology

Orion Online Learning, Inc System

Orion High School is a school in the Orion Online Learning, Inc. System of Schools.  Orion Online Learning, Inc. earned System Accreditation by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools in 2023.  Orion High School, New Mexico Trinity Prep, and All Gifted School (Singapore) are part of the system of schools who operate under the Orion Governing Board of the System of Schools (OGBSS).  As part of the process for system accreditation each of the schools underwent the accreditation process, and each school has earned Middle States accreditation as well (see below).  The current term of accreditation expires in 2030, with a re-accreditation process occurring in 2029.

Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools

Orion High School is accredited by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) using the Excellence by Design protocol. In order to be accredited, Orion High School underwent a two-year-long self-study process that involved surveying stakeholders, analyzing student data, creating student performance objectives based on the results of the analyzed data, and providing evidence and documentation that the school met the twelve standards of excellence that MSA-CESS has designated as necessary to be accredited.

Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Orion High School is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.  Orion High School was initially accredited by WASC, in 2024, for an initial status of three years.

NCAA Eligibility Center

Orion High School's core courses may be used for student-athletes during their initial eligibility status with the NCAA.

Texas Private Schools Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC)

Texas Private Schools Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC) - Orion is a TEPSAC approved institution.   TEPSAC was formerly a department of the Texas Education Agency.  Through legislative action, TEPSAC serves as the approval commission for Private Schools in Texas, once those private schools receive accreditation.  TEPSAC accreditation provides for seamless transition between Orion and public schools in Texas.  Orion High School's identifier number through TPSAC is 165-181-001. A school identifier in Texas is used to identify a school's physical location, therefore, since Orion High School's Headquarters Office is physically located in the County of Midland (Texas), the 165 identifies the county; the 181 identifies the school district in which the Headquarters Office is located, in this case Midland Independent School District, and the 001 identifies the school itself:  165 (County) 181 (District) 001 (Campus).

 

 

 

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Non-Discrimination Statement

Orion High School does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, or disability in providing education or providing access to benefits of education services, activities, and programs, including vocational programs, in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

School Identifier # 165-181-001 | CEEB Code: 444731

Orion High School is an accredited private digital learning school for grades 6-12 and adults. Orion High School is accredited by the Association of Christian teachers and schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (affiliated with AdvancED) as a private digital learning school for grades 6-12 and adults.  Orion High School is recognized by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC) as a Texas accredited non-public school. Orion High School is at 4500 W. Illinois Ave. Suite 203, Midland, Texas 79703.  Phone:  877-647-1337 toll free or 432-219-6166 direct.

 

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