The Power of Community

Educators are passionate about providing opportunities for all students to thrive. As educators ourselves, we share that passion. That’s why we connect professionals around the world in a community that learns, grows, and improves—together.

This powerful communityand the perspective it bringsenhances our professional practice so we can bring you proven solutions that enhance school quality. 

What is Cognia?

We are a global network of enthusiastic educators here to help you strengthen your schools. Our holistic approach to continuous improvement encompasses accreditation and certification, assessment, professional learning, and customized improvement services. Like you, we want all students to have the opportunities that knowledge brings. Are you ready to lead your education community to new levels?

Top News and Events at Cognia

New Standards
Performance Standards
Are you scheduling an Accreditation Engagement Review for 2023–24? New standards are in place to embrace today’s challenges and set a vision ...
Leader Chat: Moving From Fear and Denial of AI to Embracing and Leading It With Pat Yongpradit
Leader Chat: Moving From Fear and Denial of AI to Embracing and Leading It With Pat Yongpradit
For some leaders and educators, AI is exciting and full of potential. For others, it's scary and intimidating. This being the case, ...
The Source: A digital magazine focused on education thought leadership
The Source: A digital magazine focused on education thought leadership
Fall 2023: Growing Learners, Teachers, and Leaders — As evaluation and improvement experts, we recognize that improving institutions is all about helping ...

Your success is our mission

Cognia is a forward thinking nonprofit organization laser-focused on improving educational opportunities for all learners. When you work with us, you can expect:


Unmatched expertise to help you achieve visionary goals


Fresh perspective to help you link student and school performance


A global network of educators dedicated to your priorities


Services and solutions backed by well-regarded research

Be inspired

Districts and schools around the country and the world use Cognia solutions to help all learners realize their potential. Read their stories.

Design for Improvement: The Case for a New Accountability System
Stories that Matter

Design for Improvement: The Case for a New Accountability System

Next-Generation Accountability needs states to introduce curriculum-based interim assessments, external review of schools, and focus on continuous improvement to end the time-wasting and guesswork of a flawed school accountability system and shift SEAs from test administrators to improvement coaches.
Read Story
 
Memphis-Shelby County Schools: Empowering Education in Tennessee
Stories that Matter

Memphis-Shelby County Schools: Empowering Education in Tennessee

Memphis-Shelby County, TN
Relentless collective efficacy and trusted partnerships reshaped two schools.
Read Story
 
Shaping Tomorrow’s Achievers
Stories that Matter

Shaping Tomorrow’s Achievers

LLE Education Group and Cognia partner to elevate early childhood education
Read Story
 
Loyola Academy’s Century-plus Partnership with Cognia
Stories that Matter

Loyola Academy’s Century-plus Partnership with Cognia

Loyola Academy, a Catholic, Jesuit college preparatory high school on the North Shore of Chicago, formed an accreditation partnership with Cognia that has lasted for more than a century.
Read Story
 
How Data and Inclusive Leadership Improve School Outcomes
Stories that Matter

How Data and Inclusive Leadership Improve School Outcomes

When real-time data and collaboration drive decision making, schools see the benefit.
Read Story
 
Westminster Public Schools: A Competency-based Success Story
Stories that Matter

Westminster Public Schools: A Competency-based Success Story

Westminster, CO
Strong partnerships transform Westminster Public Schools
Read Story
 
Forest Heights STEM Academy: Charting a New Course
Stories that Matter

Forest Heights STEM Academy: Charting a New Course

Little Rock, AR
An Arkansas STEM academy's roadmap for success
Read Story
 
Fairmont Schools: Creating a Cohesive Culture of Improvement
Stories that Matter

Fairmont Schools: Creating a Cohesive Culture of Improvement

Orange County, CA
Cognia’s expertise and flexibility help unify a private school with multiple campuses and international programs.
Read Story
 
North Dakota Department of Public Instruction: Building Partnerships
Stories that Matter

North Dakota Department of Public Instruction: Building Partnerships

Bismarck, ND
NDDPI turns a system of silos into a collaborative whole through trusting relationships that spur progress over time.
Read Story
 
The Role of Accountability Systems and Regional Accreditation in Improving K–12 Education
Stories that Matter

The Role of Accountability Systems and Regional Accreditation in Improving K–12 Education

In the United States, nearly 55 million students are enrolled each year in K–12 schools. How can we be sure that every student receives the best education possible?
Read Story
 
Alabama’s Holistic Approach to School Improvement
Stories that Matter

Alabama’s Holistic Approach to School Improvement

How data and observation tools built for education help inform decision-making
Read Story
 
The Future of Educational Assessment
Stories that Matter

The Future of Educational Assessment

Expanding the impact of classroom assessment practices on student learning
Read Story
 
Liberty Public Schools: Data-Guided Progress
Stories that Matter

Liberty Public Schools: Data-Guided Progress

Liberty, MO
A northeast suburb of Kansas City, MO, Liberty Public Schools (LPS) used the Cognia accreditation process to improve its data gathering and analysis process. The collected data helped to inform the district’s strategic plan and its guiding documents: LPS’ Vivid Vision and graduate profile.
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Mayar International Schools: Nurturing Excellence
Stories that Matter

Mayar International Schools: Nurturing Excellence

Amman, Jordan
Mayar International Schools (MIS), located in Amman, Jordan, pursued Cognia’s accreditation process to continue and enhance its record of excellence. As a result, MIS increased educator capacity, boosted its credibility, provided a common understanding of standards, and improved classroom environment.
Read Story
 
It Matters: 347,248 Student Voices About Engagement in School
Stories that Matter

It Matters: 347,248 Student Voices About Engagement in School

Volume 1
How are students feeling about their learning and school? Data from Cognia’s Student Engagement Survey reveal actionable insights.
Read Story
 
Montgomery Public Schools: Steady improvements
Stories that Matter

Montgomery Public Schools: Steady improvements

Montgomery, AL
Montgomery Public Schools in Montgomery, Alabama, used Cognia’s analysis of its underlying issues and continuing guidance to overcome a range of challenges, restoring the faith of both the state board of education and the local community.
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Moscow School District: Building on Strength
Stories that Matter

Moscow School District: Building on Strength

Moscow, ID
By addressing areas for improvement through Cognia’s rigorous accreditation process, the Moscow School District in Moscow, Idaho, boosted academic performance and even helped students withstand the disengaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read Story
 
MyVoice: Activating the Power of School Culture Through Teacher Voice and Agency
Stories that Matter

MyVoice: Activating the Power of School Culture Through Teacher Voice and Agency

Cultivate a healthy school culture to support teachers
Read Story
 
Allendale County Schools: Rising Out of the Bottom 5%
Stories that Matter

Allendale County Schools: Rising Out of the Bottom 5%

Fairfax, SC
With critical support and focused improvement priorities identified after a diagnostic review by Cognia, Allendale County Schools in Fairfax, South Carolina, went from being a low-performing district to making unparalleled progress in its improvement initiatives.
Read Story
 
Redefining the Measurement of Early Childhood Program Quality and Child Outcomes
Stories that Matter

Redefining the Measurement of Early Childhood Program Quality and Child Outcomes

A new approach can establish and measure consistent indicators of quality, to improve schooling for young learners
Read Story
 
Farmington Schools: Continuous improvement practices drive a common sense of purpose
Stories that Matter

Farmington Schools: Continuous improvement practices drive a common sense of purpose

Farmington, NM
A New Mexico district uses continuous improvement practices and insights from Cognia Accreditation Engagement Reviews and Assessment Services to hone its focus on instructional leadership development and student engagement.
Read Story
 
Fleming County Schools: A district in rural Kentucky moves from turnaround to transformation
Stories that Matter

Fleming County Schools: A district in rural Kentucky moves from turnaround to transformation

Fleming County, KY
How do underperforming schools turn around and improve? With deliberate analysis and action. Using Cognia's Diagnostic Review process, Fleming County (KY) Public Schools went from being one of the state’s lowest-performing districts to one of its most successful—a Distinguished District—in just three years.
Read Story
 
Meeting the Promise of Continuous Improvement
Stories that Matter

Meeting the Promise of Continuous Improvement

Insights from the AdvancED Continuous Improvement System and Observations of Effective Schools
Read Story
 

Introducing a professional learning community that leaves “sit-and-get” PD in the rearview mirror.

Put this exciting new professional learning community into action today.

Activate dynamic improvement rooted in expert evaluation

One source, all the know-how you need

Our staff members and volunteers bring you successful practices and strategic ideas that elevate school and student performance.

Your needs set our direction

Every school and organization is unique. We offer a range of resources and services to help you pinpoint and address your priorities, allowing you to apply your successes to the next challenge.

Your priorities are our priorities

Because we’re a nonprofit organization, we answer to our clients, volunteers, staff members, and ultimately students. You’ll see that we’re focused on learners, not on the bottom line.

We know education firsthand

We know states, education systems, and schools because we’ve been educators like you, and because we partner with your staff at all levels. When you work with Cognia, you work directly with someone who knows your environment and can respond to your needs.

We bring expertise from around the globe

Working with educators across the country and around the world, we identify what works. Our research and our reach means that you get proven practices and innovative ideas to help you raise learning to higher levels.

We know schools because we’re in schools

Our global network of educators guides you to diagnose challenges and implement change.

40,000
INSTITUTIONS
90+
COUNTRIES
18,000,000
STUDENTS

Serving educators around the world


Education institutions worldwide look to Cognia for proven practices, insightful research, and strategies for the future.

Your partner in education

Our expertise spans a wide range of educational issues. But when it comes to what’s most important in your school or region, you’re the authority. That’s why we partner with you to help reach your goals.




Learn how we can help.