Does the CDE accredit schools?
No. The CDE does not accredit either public or private schools. Accrediting is done by a variety of accrediting organizations. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is an example of an established organization that accredits private schools. WASC accreditation generally ensures that the credits and diploma awarded by the schools it accredits will be accepted by colleges and prospective employers. You can review the WASC (Outside Source) list of accredited schools on their Web site or by calling 650-696-1060.