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Dothan City Schools has earned Cognia Systems Accreditation, a nationally recognized distinction that reflects the district’s ongoing commitment to providing students with a high quality education for every student and continuously improving the work happening at DCS. 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 achievement marks the culmination of nearly two years of hard work by teachers, administrators, staff, students, families, and community stakeholders. Throughout the process, the district completed a comprehensive self study, analyzed student performance and community feedback, welcomed an external review team into the district, 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!”

During the accreditation process, Cognia recognized Dothan City Schools as a well-managed, student focused district with a strong culture of continuous improvement. The district also earned an Index of Education Quality (IEQ) score of 293 out of 400 and met 100 percent 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.”

The Cognia accreditation remains valid for six years and recognizes Dothan City Schools’ commitment to maintaining high standards while continuously improving opportunities for students.