The self-assessment is divided into five standards. Each of the standards describes a domain or area of focus for school improvement, and the rationale for including it in the self-assessment process for a Christian school.
Standard 1: Philosophy and Foundations
Standard 2: Leadership and Personnel
Standard 3: Teaching and Learning
Standard 4: Spiritual Formation
Standard 5: Strategic School Improvement Plan
Each standard has 4-6 indicators that identify an aspect of quality for a Christian school related to the standard. The self-assessment involves the school reporting its level of development on each indicator. Each indicator has a related set of four descriptors, presented in a rubric, which the school uses to determine the extent to which its operations are consistent with the indicator.
For each indicator, the self-assessment team reports their school’s level of development as:
Forming: the school recognizes its need to take significant steps in this area.
Developing: the school has taken steps towards quality practice but identifies a significant need for growth in this area.
Maturing: the school has established quality practice in this area and is ready to share their experience with others.
Flourishing: the school has gone beyond the level of quality expressed in the indicator and is contributing to the growth of other schools by sharing their experience and expertise in this area