South Ripley Named a Cognia District of Distinction

South Ripley is planning to celebrate this District of Distinction award with its entire staff in November.

(Versailles, Ind.) - South Ripley Community School Corporation was recently notified that it has been named a 2024 Cognia District of Distinction. South Ripley earned this prestigious honor based on the results of the rigorous Cognia Engagement Review Process in the 2023-24 school year. South Ripley is one of only 11 school districts globally to receive this designation.

During the 2023-2024 school year, Cognia conducted approximately 1,952 accreditation engagement reviews. Of the 60 institutions recognized this year, 41 schools and 11 systems are in the U.S. across 23 states and Puerto Rico, and eight are international schools across five countries. The number of institutions reviewed and those that earn this designation vary from year to year. Winners carry the designation for one year.

“Congratulations to the 2024 Schools and Systems of Distinction for demonstrating excellence in education in meeting the Cognia Performance Standards,” said Cognia president and CEO Dr. Mark A. Elgart. “These institutions are benchmarks of school quality in their commitment to continuous improvement.”

Based on their 2023–2024 Cognia Accreditation Engagement Review results, these schools and systems demonstrated evidence of high-quality teaching and learning. Institutions were evaluated and provided evidence of growth in learning, a healthy culture for learning, engaging and high-quality instructional environments, and effective leadership for learning—all characteristics Cognia expects to see in quality schools.

“We are extremely proud to receive this international recognition from Cognia,” stated South Ripley Superintendent Rob Moorhead. “Achieving and maintaining Cognia accreditation is a great accomplishment in and of itself, but to be further selected as a District of Distinction is truly a remarkable accomplishment. It is gratifying to see all of the hard work of our administrators, teachers, staff, students and parents being recognized with this award. I also commend our school board for their leadership in our strategic planning process that is helping to set the course for academic achievement in our school district.” Candidates for Cognia Accreditation and reaccreditation participate in a rigorous evaluation process that includes a period of self-assessment, an evaluation conducted by trained external, third-party evaluators, and an improvement phase focused on the evaluation’s results. The Cognia Performance Standards for K-12 accreditation are based on the latest research and understanding of learning, teaching, and leading. Once accredited, an institution engages in a similar engagement review process at least every six years to maintain Cognia Accreditation.

South Ripley is planning to celebrate this District of Distinction award with its entire staff in November.