How We Do This
Accreditation
We have stood out as the leader in accreditation of Virginia’s independent schools since our founding in 1973. The VAIS evaluation and review process is authorized by the Virginia State Board of Education through the Virginia Council for Private Education (VCPE) and recognized by the International Council Advancing Independent School Accreditation (ICAISA).
Professional Learning
We provide the building blocks for professional learning at all levels of your organization, from brand-new teachers to long-time heads of school. VAIS Professional Learning is strengthened and informed by the Standards for Professional Learning, with pedagogical best practices derived from up-to-date research, and programming built to support our schools’ missions.
Advocacy
We advocate on behalf of our member schools by monitoring relevant legislation throughout the Virginia General Assembly session. We also provide timely and topical resources to support our diverse membership and the regional, statewide and national challenges that they face, built out of new and emerging partnerships with key players in independent education.
What We Value
VAIS is guided by the core values of independence, excellence, and community. We are committed to nurturing and enhancing workplace environments and governance structures in independent schools throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia that are diverse, inclusive, equitable, and just.
Who We Serve
Through accreditation, professional learning, and advocacy, VAIS serves 92 member schools encompassing more than 7,000 faculty, staff, and administrators, and educating nearly 30,000 students in grades PreK-12/Postgraduate, in every corner of the Commonwealth.
