Abstract
Educational accreditation is a strategic instrument to ensure and improve the quality of education through systematic evaluation based on established national standards. In Indonesia, accreditation is legally mandated as part of the national education system and functions not merely as formal recognition, but as a comprehensive quality mapping mechanism to support continuous school improvement. This article examines the role of school accreditation in promoting quality-oriented educational practices by positioning accreditation as a form of self-regulation that enables schools to identify their strengths and weaknesses. The discussion highlights that, in practice, accreditation is often narrowly interpreted as an administrative requirement to obtain official status, resulting in short-term performance improvements only during the assessment period. Ideally, accreditation outcomes should serve as constructive feedback for school development, capacity building, and sustainable quality enhancement. The article further emphasizes the benefits of accreditation for various stakeholders, including school leaders, teachers, students, government, and the community, particularly in strengthening accountability, transparency, and public trust. As an external quality assurance mechanism, accreditation contributes to educational planning, policy formulation, and equitable distribution of support and resources. Ultimately, accreditation should be understood as an ongoing process that reflects the real conditions of educational institutions and supports the achievement of high-quality education at local, regional, and national levels.