CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

ACCOUNTABLE TO OUR
MISSION & COMMUNITY

MHA-CYOS holds itself to the highest standards of institutional excellence through formal accreditation and a living strategic plan built in partnership with faculty, families, board members, and community leaders.

Our accreditation is not a credential we display and set aside — it is an ongoing process of self-study, reflection, and improvement that touches every dimension of school life, from curriculum design to governance, from student support to financial sustainability. Our strategic plan translates that commitment into concrete priorities that guide decisions year over year.

MHA students and faculty
OUR ACCREDITATIONS

RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE

MHA-CYOS holds dual accreditation from two of the most respected accrediting bodies in American independent and K–12 education, affirming our commitment to academic quality, institutional integrity, and student well-being.

SAIS Accredited

Southern Association of Independent Schools

SAIS accreditation is the gold standard for independent schools across the American South. SAIS member schools undergo a rigorous self-study and peer review process covering six core standards — Mission, Governance & Leadership, Teaching & Learning, Stakeholder Communication, Resources & Support Systems, and Virtual Learning. Accreditation affirms that MHA-CYOS meets or exceeds established benchmarks for institutional quality and continuous improvement.

Learn about SAIS
Cognia Accredited

Cognia (formerly AdvancED)

Cognia is a globally recognized accrediting organization serving more than 36,000 institutions in 90+ countries. Cognia accreditation signals that MHA-CYOS has been independently evaluated for quality standards across all aspects of school operations, including learner outcomes, educational leadership, and organizational effectiveness. Cognia's framework is aligned with best practices in continuous school improvement and is recognized by colleges and universities nationwide.

Learn about Cognia
THE SAIS FRAMEWORK

SIX STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE

The SAIS accreditation process evaluates schools across six core standards. MHA-CYOS completed its initial self-study addressing all six, with plans to conduct a comprehensive full-report review as part of the next accreditation cycle.

Standard 1

Mission

The school's mission guides all planning, decision-making, resource allocation, and community building, and is reviewed regularly with stakeholders.

Standard 2

Governance & Leadership

Trustees and administrators clearly understand their roles, advocate for the mission, and encourage shared responsibility for school improvement.

Standard 3

Teaching & Learning

The curriculum reflects best practices, with clearly defined expectations for student development that are subject to regular review and data-driven refinement.

Standard 4

Stakeholder Communication

The school communicates clearly and accurately with families, alumni, and community partners, and actively encourages collaboration to advance the mission.

Standard 5

Resources & Support Systems

The school has sufficient human and material resources, a qualified staff, and well-defined policies to promote a safe, healthy, and orderly environment.

Standard 6

Virtual Learning

The school has systems in place for continuity of instruction, including offsite learning agreements and virtual learning plans for disrupted school days.

WHAT THE SELF-STUDY AFFIRMED

KEY INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHS

Through the SAIS self-study process — which involved surveys, focus groups, board retreats, faculty discussions, and community workshops — the following areas emerged as defining strengths of MHA-CYOS.

Mission-Driven Culture

MHA's mission is a living framework, shaped by educators, parents, alumni, and community leaders. Every hiring decision, curriculum update, and program launch is measured against it. Stakeholder surveys consistently affirm a strong sense of culture, kindness, and community.

Comprehensive Dual Curriculum

194 courses across all divisions now have clearly defined benchmarks and pacing calendars, aligning Judaic and General Studies in an integrated, vertically scaffolded framework — from Pre-K through Grade 12.

Data-Driven Instruction

Over 300 Danielson-aligned classroom observations in the first year alone, combined with MAP, PSAT, AP, and Hebrew Kriya (MaDYK) data, drive instructional decisions, professional development priorities, and student placement across every division.

STEAM Innovation Center

The Mary Pikelny STEAM Center, opened in 2023, represents a transformational investment in project-based and experiential learning, offering students dedicated space for engineering, technology, and interdisciplinary exploration.

100% College & Yeshiva Placement

MHA graduates enroll at top universities and prestigious Yeshivot and Seminaries in Israel, with a 100% placement rate year over year. AP and honors pathways, dual enrollment options, and individualized college guidance support every student's next step.

Community & Family Partnerships

Parents are active partners in school life. MHA maintains formal relationships with Jewish Family Services, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, the Memphis Israeli Festival, and national organizations including NCSY, reflecting a school deeply embedded in its community.

Dedicated Faculty Development

Faculty participate in BetterLesson coaching, iTalAm workshops, AP summer institutes, and a structured two-year professional development rotation. Teacher evaluation includes up to 10 formal observations per year per teacher through the Classroom Mosaic system.

Holistic Student Support

Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs), academic support specialists, a Jewish Family Services counseling partnership, and the Midda of the Month character program ensure that every student is supported academically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Governance & Financial Strength

A 32-member Board of Trustees with structured committees, annual independent audits, and a dedicated building fund support long-term institutional sustainability and responsible stewardship of school resources.

"MHA-CYOS remains dedicated to building on its rich 75-year history while embracing innovation, ensuring that it continues to provide a rigorous college and Yeshiva preparation program and an excellent Orthodox Jewish education for generations to come."

WHERE WE ARE HEADED

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

MHA's strategic plan — developed through board retreats, faculty in-service sessions, parent forums, and community workshops led by the Strategic Planning Committee — defines five priority areas guiding the school's next phase of growth.

1

Curriculum Development & Integration

  • Strengthen Hebrew language proficiency through standardized benchmarking and immersive learning opportunities
  • Deepen the alignment between Judaic and General Studies, promoting interdisciplinary thinking and critical analysis
  • Expand student access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses and dual enrollment programs
2

Faculty & Staff Development

  • Provide every faculty member with a professional learning plan and structured mentorship
  • Formalize onboarding and evaluation systems to support instructional quality school-wide
  • Implement a two-year rotating professional development plan tailored to each division's needs
3

School–Community Partnerships

  • Build a structured communication plan to deepen parent-school engagement
  • Foster collaborations with Jewish institutions, national organizations, and the MHA alumni network
  • Expand experiential learning, including international partnerships and student exchange programs
4

Campus Expansion & Security

  • Complete renovations of school entryways and key communal spaces
  • Expand the Beit Midrash and classroom spaces to support growing enrollment
  • Implement upgraded surveillance systems and controlled campus access points
5

Long-Term Financial Sustainability

  • Strengthen fundraising initiatives, including alumni giving and endowment growth
  • Enhance scholarship and tuition assistance programs to support a diverse student community
  • Develop strategic partnerships with national Jewish education networks

QUESTIONS ABOUT ACCREDITATION?

We welcome conversations with prospective families, current families, and community partners about our accreditation and strategic direction.

CONTACT US ABOUT MHA