M.O.T. Academy Earns Cognia Accreditation with Merit
Miami, FL – December 17, 2025 — M.O.T. Academy announced today that it has earned Accredited with Merit status from Cognia, a global nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance, accreditation, and continuous improvement services for schools and education providers worldwide.
The accreditation was awarded by the Cognia Global Commission following a comprehensive internal and external review of the school’s educational programs, instructional practices, leadership effectiveness, and commitment to continuous improvement.
“Accreditation as conferred by the Cognia Global Commission provides M.O.T. Academy with a nationally and internationally recognized mark of quality,” said Arlene Torres, Principal. “This recognition demonstrates our commitment to educational excellence, individualized instruction, and ongoing improvement in support of every student we serve.”
Cognia recognizes schools across the globe that meet rigorous research-based standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable allocation of resources, and effective leadership. To earn Cognia accreditation, a school must engage in a thorough evaluation process that includes both self-assessment and external review. Schools that meet Cognia Performance Standards and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement may maintain accreditation for a six-year term.
Dr. Mark A. Elgart, President and CEO of Cognia, stated, “Cognia Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school community on the primary goal of ensuring all students can flourish in engaging and equitable learning environments. We commend M.O.T. Academy for meeting high standards and making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.”
Cognia bestows the recognition and authority of three U.S. regional accrediting agencies: the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Accreditation through these agencies is widely recognized throughout the world.
Parents and community members can learn more about Cognia Accreditation at www.cognia.org.
About Cognia
Cognia is a global, nonprofit improvement organization dedicated to helping institutions and education providers grow learners, teachers, and leaders. Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, and improvement services within a framework of continuous improvement. Serving more than 40,000 public and private institutions from early learning through high school in over 90 countries, Cognia brings a global perspective to advancing teaching and learning.
About M.O.T. Academy
Founded in 2006, M.O.T. Academy is a private K-12 school located in Kendall, Miami, dedicated to providing personalized academic instruction, special education services, and credit recovery programs. The school serves more than 100 students and offers individualized lesson plans, small class sizes, and a supportive, student-centered learning environment designed to meet each child where they are academically, socially, and emotionally.
M.O.T. Academy’s programs include special needs education, autism spectrum and exceptional student services, life skills and vocational training, social skills development, music and art, physical education, educational field trips, and before- and aftercare services. The school also welcomes Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) on campus and accepts FTC, FES-EO, and FES-UA scholarships.
What began as a one-on-one tutoring effort has grown into a full private school grounded in care, dedication, and personal connection—values that continue to guide M.O.T. Academy’s mission to help every student reach their maximum potential for success.