Students at International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools are given a unique education:

• They are encouraged to think independently and drive their own learning
• They take part in programmes of education that can lead them to some of the highest ranking universities around the world
• They become more culturally aware, through the development of a second language
• They are able to engage with people in an increasingly globalized, rapidly changing world.

IB World School students develop strong academic, social and emotional characteristics, and are likely to perform well academically – often better than students on other programmes. For example, students on the IB Diploma Programme (DP) are likely to enroll at top universities, and students on the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP) outperform other students in a number of areas.

There is more information about the performance of IB students on the IB programme pages.

The accrediting commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) fosters excellence in elementary, secondary, adult and postsecondary institutions, and supplementary education programs. The Commission encourages school improvement through a process of continuing evaluation and recognizes institutions through granting accreditation to the schools that meet the high levels of quality in accordance with the established criteria. 

For accreditation, schools must be worthy of the trust placed in them to provide high-quality learning and must clearly demonstrate continual self-improvement. An accredited school is focused on a mission and goals for students; it is student-oriented and examines its students’ performance continuously; it accepts objective evaluation from a team of outside peer professionals trained by ACS WASC; it maintains a qualified faculty within an effectively organized school; it collaboratively assesses the quality of its educational programs on a regular basis; and it plans for the future.

The Council of International Schools (CIS) is a membership community committed to high quality international education. The CIS community includes more than 1360 institutions - over 740 schools and 610 colleges and universities representing 122 countries.

CIS member schools share these ideals:

• a desire to provide students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to pursue their lives as global citizens; 

• a commitment to high quality international education.

To achieve these goals, member schools must infuse their programmes with international and intercultural perspective so that students can move forward with the attitudes and understanding that will provide them with a solid base wherever their studies or work may take them. Member schools must also commit to undertaking ongoing external quality assurance process to enhance student learning.

The Japan Council of International Schools (JCIS) includes twenty-seven international schools operating in Japan. 

JCIS exists to promote, support and sustain quality English medium schools serving the international community in Japan through an educational framework which is international in both style and substance. More specifically, JCIS member schools:

• Promote and support a thriving network of international schools in Japan, and advocate for the interests of international education on a national and international scale
• Are quality institutions who adhere to a high standard of learning, student welfare, community engagement and ethical practice
• Offer a full English medium learning environment in which English is the language of instruction, or are a fully bilingual school in which English is at least an equal partner to any other community language
• Serve a community which is diverse and at which a predominant number of constituent families are international/bilingual/bicultural in nature
• Offer an internationally-minded learning experience in which students are engaged in exploring diverse perspectives, understanding and valuing a sense of ‘self’ and ‘other’ and developing the ability to confront local, national and international issues.

The East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) is an organization of 191 member schools in East Asia, and 142 associate members (academic support service organisations including textbook and software publishers, universities, youth organizations, etc.)

EARCOS inspires adult and student learning through its leadership and service and fosters intercultural understanding, global citizenship and exceptional educational practices within our learning community. Its objectives are to:

• promote intercultural understanding and international friendship through the activities of member schools.
• broaden the dimensions of education of all schools involved in the Council in the interest of a total program of education.
• advance the professional growth and welfare of individuals belonging to the educational staff of member schools.
• facilitate communication and cooperative action between and among all associated schools.
• cooperate with other organizations and individuals pursuing the same objectives as this council.