Connect. Collaborate. LEAD.
Together, the Virginia Association of Independent Schools’ 95 member institutions employ over 8,000 faculty, staff, and administrators, educating nearly 30,000 students. The Association is governed by an independent Board of Directors.
Mission
VAIS advances excellence in Virginia’s independent schools.
Core Values
INDEPENDENCE
Independent schools are defined by their academic, financial, and administrative autonomy. VAIS schools establish their individual missions, welcome mission-appropriate students, and demonstrate respect for diverse and inclusive communities.
EXCELLENCE
Independent schools are uniquely positioned to champion excellence in teaching and learning. VAIS schools design their own curriculum, define their own faculty expectations, determine benchmarks for student success, and engage in ongoing internal review and improvement.
COMMUNITY
Independent schools foster communities of learning strengthened by local, national, and global perspectives. VAIS schools benefit from the diversity of the Association’s membership to build and nurture supportive and strategic relationships.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice
VAIS leadership and board prioritize recruitment, support, and retention of a diverse staff and directors who uphold these principles. VAIS’s dedication is reflected in its policies and active efforts to support member schools in building a diverse community where everyone is valued and belongs. As an equal opportunity employer, VAIS promotes equal employment without discrimination, adhering to all applicable laws and regulations.
Services
VAIS serves its member schools and their constituencies through a complete accreditation process; comprehensive opportunities for professional learning; and both state-specific and nationally-informed advocacy efforts.
