We mean independent in the best sense of the word.
These schools have the freedom to serve their distinct individual missions — the philosophy, values, and approach to teaching that are right for your child.
They have the freedom to let passionate teachers create educational experiences that meet your child’s individual needs, without state mandates regarding curriculum, textbooks, and testing.
They have the freedom to select the academic and extracurricular programs they want to offer, and to offer these programs to the students whom they feel most capable of serving well.
Distinct though each one is, independent schools also have a lot in common. They share a commitment to teaching young people academic skills plus the importance of hard work, leadership, personal responsibility, and good citizenship.
Among the characteristics of independent schools:
* They’re independently governed by a board of trustees, as opposed to a public school board.
* They must be fully accredited by an accrediting agency with high standards.
* They may be coeducational or single-sex.
* They may be day schools or boarding schools.
* They are supported by a combination of tuition payments, charitable contributions, and endowment revenue — not public funds.
The Independent School Advantage
What makes an independent school worth the trouble of applying and—yes—paying the expense to enroll your children?
- High academic standards. Independent schools nurture intellectual curiosity, stimulate personal growth, and encourage critical thinking. A larger percentage of students at independent schools are enrolled in advanced courses than in public, parochial, and other private schools.
- Small classes and individual attention. Independent schools have low student-teacher ratios that encourage close connections with students. The median ratio in NAIS schools in 2005-2006 was 8.5 students to 1 teacher (meaning that half have a higher ratio and half have a lower ratio).
- Excellent teachers. They usually teach in their areas of expertise and are passionate about what they do. With more autonomy within the classroom, teachers are able to develop a full understanding of how each student learns and what interests and motivates each individually.
- Greater likelihood of a student completing a bachelor’s degree or graduate degree.
- Education for the whole child. Independent schools nurture not just students’ intellectual ability and curiosity but also their personal and social growth and civic conscience. Opportunities extend well beyond the classroom to athletic competitions, artistic pursuits, and school leadership experiences.
- Inclusiveness. Schools maintain diverse and vibrant student communities and welcome and respect each family. Students of color are 21.2 percent of total independent school enrollment. In addition, 14.2 percent of all faculty and staff in independent schools in 2004-05 were people of color.
- A community of parents who actively participate in their children’s education. Independent schools promote regular communication among students, parents, and teachers to ensure everyone is working toward the same goals for the student.
- The opportunity to choose a school with a mission. You can select a school whose philosophy, values, and teaching approach is right for your child.
- And most important: An education that will pay dividends for a lifetime.
Source: National Association of Independent Schools
1620 L Street NW Suite 1100
Washington DC, 20036-5695
NAIS is the national voice of independent education. We offer standards, targeted resources, and networking opportunities for our 1,300 member schools.
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