The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) has been awarded full accreditation by Cognia, a nonprofit organization recognized globally for its commitment to continuous improvement and educational excellence, according to a news release.

Based in Wilmington, NCOAE launched its first courses in Pisgah National Forest in 2009. The organization creates and facilitates wilderness-based experiences that aim to foster personal growth, professional development and the acquisition of technical outdoor and wilderness medicine skills, the release stated.

The accreditation is given by the Cognia Global Commission and its regional bodies, which include the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, the Northwest Accreditation Commission and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement. 

“Earning Cognia accreditation is a powerful affirmation of the quality and impact of our programs,” said Zac Adair, co-founder and executive director of NCOAE, in the release. “It tells our students, families, educational partners, and the communities in which we operate that what we offer is more than just outdoor adventure. It’s accredited, meaningful education that builds character, confidence, and transferable academic achievement. We’ve always held ourselves to the highest standards, and Cognia’s rigorous process has helped us raise the bar even higher.”

To achieve accreditation, NCOAE underwent an intensive multi-stage evaluation process, including a candidacy review and final site evaluation, during which Cognia assessed organizational effectiveness, instructional quality and alignment with performance standards, according to the release.

"The process, which began in April of 2024, confirmed NCOAE’s capacity to deliver accredited high school-level coursework, including its new High School Summer Semester. That 32-day transformative experience is designed for 10th- and 11th-grade students seeking a unique blend of academic rigor, leadership development, and adventure in the great outdoors," the release stated.

Cognia accredits more than 36,000 institutions in over 90 countries.