Accreditations, Licenses and Professional Affiliations at Cherokee Creek Boys School
Our Commitment to Safety, Quality and Excellence
Since 2003, Cherokee Creek Boys School (CCBS) has helped middle school boys and their families rediscover hope, resilience and optimism for the future.
Our foundational values … Safety, Quality, Creativity, Fun and Self-Discovery … guide every decision we make.
And at CCBS, safety always comes first.
One of the most important ways we ensure a safe, high-quality environment is through our dedication to accreditation, licensure, training and professional affiliations. These are not just “boxes to check” … they are active commitments that shape how we care for students, train our staff and prepare for the unexpected.
Why Accreditations, Licenses and Professional Affiliations Matter
- It means being held to rigorous, independent standards for safety, ethics or program quality.
- It means having regular inspections, audits and reviews.
- And it means that in challenging situations … whether it’s a weather event, a medical emergency or an unexpected safety concern … our team has the training, resources and practiced plans to respond quickly and effectively.
Being accredited and licensed is not a requirement.
It’s a choice we make as an organization. This means that we are inviting the audits, the inspections and the reviews because we are better with partnerships.
We choose to meet … and we often exceed … the requirements for therapeutic schools in our field.
“At CCBS, accreditation is a key part of our program. It pushes us to continually improve, train our staff and be ready for anything … like 2024 when hurricanes came through the Carolinas. Because of our Joint Commission accreditation, we had detailed emergency plans in place and we were able to keep everyone safe while maintaining routine care for our students.”
– Ginelle Kohl, CCBS Human Resource & Compliance Manager
The Joint Commission (TJC) | “Golden Seal of Approval”
The nation’s leading health care accreditation body, known for setting the gold standard in safety, quality and risk management.
Accreditation through TJC requires rigorous onsite inspections and ongoing compliance with strict standards in areas such as staff training, emergency preparedness, medication management, care, treatment and services, client rights and fire life safety.
The Joint Commission accreditation process is set up to help programs implement strategies to enhance client care and safety.
Licensed by The State of South Carolina | Licensed as a Child Caring Institution
This state license verifies that CCBS meets all regulatory requirements for lodging, caring for and supporting children in a residential setting.
It includes regular on-site inspections, student interviews and reviews to ensure the safety, well-being and proper supervision of our students. Licensing also requires background checks for potential staff, annual background checks for all staff, specific requirements for staff training hours and health monitoring for staff.
This license also assures that our environment of care is held to high standards for safety … from inspections in our commercial grade kitchen and monitoring all water sources / wells on the campus to monitoring the fire suppression system in our bunkhouse … every detail is important and part of our collaboration with the state.
We choose to be licensed by the state because we know it’s important to have collaboration for best practice when caring for our students.
Cognia | Academic Accreditation for Grades 5 – 10
Cognia is a globally-recognized accrediting body for schools. This accreditation means our academic program meets high standards for curriculum quality, instructional methods and student achievement … providing a strong educational foundation alongside therapeutic care.
Cognia also focuses on parental involvement as stakeholders in the academic accreditation process. Cognia accredits over 36,000 schools and school systems globally.
Academic credits from Cherokee Creek Boys School will transfer easily to other schools.
The Gurian Institute | Certified Gurian Model School
As a Gurian Model School, we apply brain-based research on how boys learn and develop.
This certification reflects our commitment to creating a learning environment that is responsive to the unique needs of boys in grades 5 – 10.
NATSAP [ National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs ] | Member
NATSAP membership connects us to a network of therapeutic schools committed to ethical practices, peer accountability and the highest standards in education and care for students and families.
COPAA [ Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates ] | Member
Membership in COPAA ensures that we stay informed on the legal rights of students and families, reinforcing our advocacy for appropriate, ethical educational and therapeutic practices.
SEVP-Certified School [ Student and Exchange Visitor Program ]
As a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certified school, we are authorized to issue I-20 student visas, allowing us to serve eligible international students.
Preparedness in Action
Accreditation is more than a status … it’s a mindset. It means that we prepare, train and practice so we are ready when it matters most.
“Accreditation and standards are key. Having a plan ahead of time and training our team gives our staff a common starting point. From there, we can adapt as needed. But the plan is only as good as the people who execute it … and our CCBS team consistently goes above and beyond.”
– Stephen Cornelius, CCBS Program Director
If you are considering Cherokee Creek Boys School for a loved one, we hope this information about our licensures, accreditations and affiliations has been valuable.
Please call with any questions you have.
