National Association of Independent Schools
Encyclopedia
The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) is a U.S.
-based membership organization for private, nonprofit, K-12 schools. Founded in 1963, NAIS represents independent school
s and associations in the United States, including day
, boarding
, and day/boarding schools; elementary and secondary schools; boys', girls', and coeducational schools. NAIS has affiliate members internationally as well.
NAIS's mission is to be the national voice of independent schools and the center for collective action
on their behalf.
Membership in NAIS is open to independent pre-college schools that are operated by nonprofit organizations. To become a full member of NAIS, a school must have operated for at least five years and must be accredited
by an accrediting organization approved by NAIS.
NAIS-approved accreditors include the U.S. regional accreditation
organizations for pre-college schools and the following associations that are association members of NAIS:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-based membership organization for private, nonprofit, K-12 schools. Founded in 1963, NAIS represents independent school
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
s and associations in the United States, including day
Day school
A day school—as opposed to a boarding school—is an institution where children are given educational instruction during the day and after which children/teens return to their homes...
, boarding
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
, and day/boarding schools; elementary and secondary schools; boys', girls', and coeducational schools. NAIS has affiliate members internationally as well.
NAIS's mission is to be the national voice of independent schools and the center for collective action
Collective action
Collective action is the pursuit of a goal or set of goals by more than one person. It is a term which has formulations and theories in many areas of the social sciences.-In sociology:...
on their behalf.
Membership
As of the 2010-11 school year, NAIS represented approximately 1,400 member independent schools and associations in the US, serving more than 562,000 students and 121,000 teachers, administrators, and other staff.Membership in NAIS is open to independent pre-college schools that are operated by nonprofit organizations. To become a full member of NAIS, a school must have operated for at least five years and must be accredited
Educational accreditation
Educational accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of educational institutions or programs are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met...
by an accrediting organization approved by NAIS.
NAIS-approved accreditors include the U.S. regional accreditation
Regional accreditation
Regional accreditation is a term used in the United States to refer to educational accreditation conducted by any of several accreditation bodies established to serve six defined geographic areas of the country for accreditation of schools, colleges, and universities...
organizations for pre-college schools and the following associations that are association members of NAIS:
- Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS)
- Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS)
- California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS/CA)
- Connecticut Association of Independent Schools (CAIS/CT)
- Council of International SchoolsCouncil of International SchoolsThe Council of International Schools is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which aims to improve international education...
(CIS) - Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS)
- Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS)
- New Jersey Association of Independent SchoolsNew Jersey Association of Independent SchoolsThe New Jersey Association of Independent Schools serves independent elementary and secondary schools throughout the state of New Jersey. The Association consists of 70 member schools with a total enrollment of approximately 26,000 students...
(NJAIS) - New York State Association of Independent SchoolsNew York State Association of Independent SchoolsThe New York State Association of Independent Schools , founded in 1947, is an association of some 180 independent schools, ranging from nursery to high schools. In 2005, its member schools had approximately 65,000 students...
(NYSAIS) - Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS)
- Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS)
- Association of Independent Schools of New EnglandAssociation of Independent Schools of New EnglandThe Association of Independent Schools in New England is an association serving independent schools in New England, USA. It provides educational services such as downloadable materials and support for diversity programs, and represents its members to government, the media, etc. It also accredits...
(AISNE) - Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)
- Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS)
- Pacific Northwest Association of Independent SchoolsPacific Northwest Association of Independent SchoolsThe Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools is an organization devoted to promoting quality education within independent schools in the Pacific Northwest...
(PNAIS) - Southern Association of Independent SchoolsSouthern Association of Independent SchoolsThe Southern Association of Independent Schools is a U.S.-based voluntary organization of more than 340 independent elementary and secondary schools through the South, representing more than 180,000 students...
(SAIS) - Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools (SAES)
- Standards in Excellence And LearningStandards in Excellence And LearningStandards in Excellence And Learning is the new national organization for independent schools in Canada. In October 2009, the Canadian Educational Standards Institute and the Canadian Association of Independent Schools formed the new national organization.SEAL Canada intends to collaborate in...
(SEAL)