O-School Earns Cognia Accredited with Distinction Status

The Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School (O-School) is proud to announce that it has been awarded Cognia® Accredited with Distinction status, the highest honor granted by Cognia to schools that demonstrate exceptional educational quality and a steadfast commitment to continuous improvement.

This distinction is reserved for schools that exceed Cognia's rigorous Performance Standards and serve as models of excellence in teaching, learning, leadership, and student support.

Cognia is a globally recognized nonprofit organization that accredits schools and educational institutions committed to continuous improvement and educational excellence. During the 2025–2026 school year, the O-School completed Cognia's comprehensive Accreditation Engagement Review, an in-depth evaluation that included stakeholder interviews, evidence reviews, and assessments of school culture, instructional practices, leadership, and student learning.

"I am pleased to congratulate the Sonia Shankman Orthogenic School for its Accredited with Distinction designation, a status that recognizes institutions that model excellence in education and service to learners," said Dr. Mark A. Elgart, President and CEO of Cognia.

For the O-School community, this recognition reflects the collective efforts of faculty, students, families, and the Board of Directors, all of whom contribute to the school's relationship-centered approach to education.

"This recognition is an extraordinary honor and a testament to the dedication, compassion, and professionalism of every member of our school community," said Executive Director Diana Kon. "Recognition as a School of Distinction is both rare and difficult to achieve. It reflects our unwavering commitment to helping every student thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment and grateful to everyone whose hard work made it possible.

This recognition serves to reaffirm the very mission of the Orthogenic School by highlighting School’s unique ability to provide intensive clinical support without sacrificing the high-quality education and learning opportunities to which every student is entitled."

While the award celebrates the school's outstanding performance during the accreditation review, it also recognizes more than a century of innovation and excellence. Since its founding in 1915, the O-School has provided individualized education, therapeutic services, and comprehensive clinical support for students in need. The school continues to prepare students for success in a safe, supportive, and relationship-centered community where every learner is empowered to reach their full potential.

The O-School remains committed to building on this achievement through ongoing innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement, ensuring that every student receives the exceptional educational and therapeutic experience they deserve.

About Cognia

Cognia® is a forward-thinking nonprofit improvement organization committed to serving schools and other education providers. It offers accreditation and certification, assessment, improvement services, and professional learning within a continuous improvement framework. Serving more than 40,000 public and private institutions in over 100 countries and territories, Cognia provides a globally recognized standard for educational excellence.