VAIS accreditation is a perpetual cycle of assessment, planning, and improvement for member schools, beginning with the Initial Evaluation. Once fully accredited, a school becomes part of the ten-year accreditation cycle that requires both Interim and Ten Year Evaluations in turn. The process is based on a regular, professional peer assessment of the degree to which a member school supports its stated mission in a thoughtful, sustainable, and responsible manner and meets the VAIS Standards for Membership. VAIS accreditation is collaborative and focused on magnifying strengths and creating opportunities for growth.