Liguori Academy Earns Full Middle States Accreditation on First Application
Philadelphia, PA, January 28, 2026 – Liguori Academy
A milestone for students. A standard for schools. A win for Philadelphia.
Philadelphia, PA — Liguori Academy has officially earned full accreditation from Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, achieving this distinction on its first-ever application. This accomplishment places Liguori within a global network of 3,200 accredited schools across 117 countries, collectively serving more than 2 million students.
Accreditation by a respected, international accreditor is more than a credential. It is a clear signal that Liguori Academy meets rigorous, research backed standards for academic quality, governance, student support, and continuous improvement that are recognized worldwide.
For Liguori students, Middle States accreditation is a safeguard and a promise. It ensures that the education they receive is credible, transferable, and respected by colleges, employers, and training programs. Credits carry weight. Diplomas open doors. And students and families can trust that their school is accountable to the highest benchmarks of educational excellence. An education from Liguori Academy is more than just a diploma.
This matters deeply in a city where outcomes are uneven. According to the 2024 Nation’s Report Card, only 31% of Pennsylvania eighth graders perform at or above NAEP Proficient, and students who are economically disadvantaged score 28 points lower on average than their peers. These gaps are persistent, structural, and costly not just to individuals, but to communities.
Liguori’s accreditation affirms that students navigating adversity are not receiving a compromised education, but one held to the same standards as top performing schools across the globe.
Earning Middle States accreditation validates Liguori Academy’s academic model, instructional quality, and student-centered systems. It confirms that Liguori is not an alternative to excellence but rather an example of it.
The accreditation process is intentionally rigorous, examining curriculum alignment, instructional practices, student outcomes, leadership, and long term planning. Achieving full accreditation on the first attempt reflects the strength of Liguori’s foundation and its commitment to continuous improvement in service of students and families.
WHY THIS MATTER FOR THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
The stakes extend far beyond one school.
Research shows that a single high school dropout costs the public approximately $300,000 over a lifetime due to lost tax revenue and increased reliance on public services (Forbes, 2025). Incarceration rates are dramatically higher among adults without a high school diploma, with roughly 75% of incarcerated men lacking a completed high school education. These are not abstract statistics. They represent preventable, compounding costs borne by cities like Philadelphia.
Accredited schools that keep students engaged, supported, and on track to graduation are essential civic infrastructure. Every student who graduates contributes to a stronger workforce, safer communities, and more stable families. Even modest increases in graduation rates generate billions in long-term public benefit nationwide.
Liguori Academy’s accreditation reinforces its role as part of the solution, delivering rigorous, career-connected and college ready education in communities where access to quality schooling has too often been blocked.
“This milestone affirms what our students, families, and educators already know,” said Liguori Academy leadership. “That when you meet students at promise, not deficit, and hold yourself to the highest standards, transformation follows.” – Michael Marrone, President and Founder
Middle States accreditation is not a finish line. It is a commitment to remain accountable, transparent, and relentlessly focused on outcomes that matter—for students, for families, and for the City of Philadelphia.
When you invest in a child’s education, you reshape the future of an entire community.
By speaking clearly and confidently about the needs of working families and students, Liguori is committed to being the leading voice for school choice in Philadelphia. We are building a community that advocates for choice for families, students, alumni, staff, and community partners. Together, we are shaping a future where every child has the freedom, and the power, to choose success.
The PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs are an engine of school choice in action at Liguori Academy. Because 100% of our students qualify for need based scholarships through these vital initiatives, donor contributions are directly transformed into tuition assistance. This allows us to guarantee that no qualified student is denied a transformative education due to financial barriers, ensuring every young person has the opportunity to choose the learning environment that best ignites their potential.
Learn More about the Tax Credit Program HERE.
Learn More about our School Choice Advocacy HERE.