We’re proud to share that The Briarwood School is now officially accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS) — a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to academic excellence and best practices for students with learning differences.

The path to ISAS accreditation is a multi-year process grounded in institutional self-reflection, peer collaboration, and alignment with standards that support mission-driven schools. Over the past year, our faculty and staff engaged in a rigorous self-study that explored every aspect of our school, from governance and curriculum to student support and community engagement. This work culminated in a detailed self-study report and a multi-day visit from a team of peer educators from ISAS member schools.

During their visit, the accreditation team conducted interviews, observed classrooms, reviewed documentation, and assessed how well our practices align with ISAS standards. Their findings were then shared with the ISAS Accreditation Commission, which granted us full accreditation status.

ISAS accreditation represents an ongoing cycle of continuous improvement. Every ten years, member schools undergo the full accreditation process again, with interim reports and updates in between to ensure accountability and growth. In the coming year, Briarwood’s divisions and departments will closely review the recommendations and commendations from our visiting committee to develop goals that guide our next phase of progress.

ISAS is a member of the International Council of Associations Advancing Independent School Accreditation (ICAISA) and has itself been recognized for the strength, integrity, and impact of its accreditation process.

This recognition affirms what we’ve long known — Briarwood is a place of innovation, transformation, and excellence.

To learn more about ISAS, visit isasw.org.