DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — According to Dothan City Schools, the district has earned Cognia Systems Accreditation, a nationally recognized distinction that reflects its commitment to providing students with a high-quality education and continuously improving teaching, learning and student support services.
According to the district, the accreditation was awarded by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission on June 24, 2026, following an extensive review of the district’s leadership, teaching and learning, student support services and overall effectiveness.
The district said the achievement represents nearly two years of work by teachers, administrators, staff, students, families and community stakeholders. During the process, Dothan City Schools completed a comprehensive self-study, analyzed student performance and community feedback, welcomed an external review team and demonstrated how continuous improvement guides decision-making across the district.
“We’re proud to receive this accreditation. It is an important milestone,” said Dr. Garrick Askew, superintendent of Dothan City Schools. “The accreditation confirms that DCS offers a quality educational program that meets performance and program equivalency standards for schools throughout the United States. The accreditation process also provided us with insight on areas for continued growth, all focused on helping our students succeed!”
According to the district, Cognia recognized Dothan City Schools as a well-managed, student-focused district with a strong culture of continuous improvement. The district earned an Index of Education Quality (IEQ) score of 293 out of 400 and met 100% of Cognia’s accreditation requirements.
“This accomplishment belongs to everyone in Dothan City Schools,” said Lee Jacobs, assistant superintendent of accountability and compliance. “The hard work done by our teachers, staff, administrators, and school leaders will continue to benefit our students for years to come. Accreditation is not the finish line, it is our commitment to continuous improvement.”
According to Dothan City Schools, the Cognia accreditation remains valid for six years and recognizes the district’s commitment to maintaining high standards while continuously improving opportunities for students.
