Southern Association of Independent Schools
Encyclopedia
The 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. The mission of SAIS is to provide leadership, accreditation services, and professional development resources that will strengthen member schools as they fulfill their missions.
In addition to representing schools in 11 Southeastern states, SAIS also serves as a regional accrediting association, working independently and in conjunction with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
(SACS). SAIS is approved by the NAIS Commission on Accreditation.
. In the last 10 years SAIS has been working with SACS to develop standards and self-study processes more useful for independent schools.
The participating school must meet a SINGLE set of standards, the ones found in the Guidebook for SAIS-SACS Accreditation. Additionally, SAIS-SACS accreditation is contingent upon the school meeting all standards by responding in writing to each indicator. When evidence of an indicator is not shown, the school must explain how the standard is met in the absence of the indicator. The chair and visiting team report to the SAIS Accreditation Committee if the school has met the standards and performed a thorough and adequate self-study. The SAIS Accreditation Committee has final approval of whether or not the school meets the standards and is accredited.
Schools participating in the SAIS-SACS process communicate and work with SAIS in preparation for the accreditation cycle. Additionally, schools no longer work with their respective state SACS committees regarding SAIS-SACS Accreditation.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-based voluntary organization of more than 340 independent elementary
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
and secondary
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
schools through the South
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
, representing more than 180,000 students. The mission of SAIS is to provide leadership, accreditation services, and professional development resources that will strengthen member schools as they fulfill their missions.
In addition to representing schools in 11 Southeastern states, SAIS also serves as a regional accrediting association, working independently and in conjunction with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
(SACS). SAIS is approved by the NAIS Commission on Accreditation.
SAIS-SACS Accreditation History
SAIS has been offering a dual accreditation since 1953. In 2004, SAIS began offering a dual accreditation with SACS, the Southern Association of Colleges and SchoolsSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
. In the last 10 years SAIS has been working with SACS to develop standards and self-study processes more useful for independent schools.
The participating school must meet a SINGLE set of standards, the ones found in the Guidebook for SAIS-SACS Accreditation. Additionally, SAIS-SACS accreditation is contingent upon the school meeting all standards by responding in writing to each indicator. When evidence of an indicator is not shown, the school must explain how the standard is met in the absence of the indicator. The chair and visiting team report to the SAIS Accreditation Committee if the school has met the standards and performed a thorough and adequate self-study. The SAIS Accreditation Committee has final approval of whether or not the school meets the standards and is accredited.
Schools participating in the SAIS-SACS process communicate and work with SAIS in preparation for the accreditation cycle. Additionally, schools no longer work with their respective state SACS committees regarding SAIS-SACS Accreditation.