Independent Schools Association of the Southwest

Affiliations

International Council Advancing Independent School Accreditation

ISAS is a member in good standing with the International Council Advancing Independent School Accreditation (ICAISA). ICAISA is the international leader in independent school accreditation. ICAISA advances excellence and upholds standards in order to ensure quality and accountability in independent schools across the globe. In addition to establishing and maintaining criteria for effective accreditation and conducting formal evaluations of member association accreditation programs, ICAISA also examines and assesses the evolving educational environment, and acts as a catalyst in partnership with associations in navigating significant change, developing innovative practices, and promoting transformative leadership in the accreditation field. Ultimately, the work of ICAISA strengthens independent school education and supports the ongoing improvement of individual schools.

 

ISAS Group Benefits Trust

The Independent Schools Association of the Southwest Group Benefits Trust (the “ISAS Trust”) was established in 1989 by three member schools with the goal of providing a self-insured medical and dental plan for ISAS member school employees and their dependents. The ISAS Trust has since expanded to offer long-term disability and life insurance plans and vision insurance and is available to ISAS member schools in Texas and Oklahoma.

 

TEPSAC (Texas Private School Accreditation Commission)

The Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC) helps ensure quality in private schools by monitoring and approving organizations that accredit the various non-public elementary and secondary educational institutions in the state of Texas.

TEPSAC is not an accrediting organization. It is instead a confederation of accrediting associations whose primary purpose is to maintain standards of accreditation among its membership. These standards of accreditation are comparable to Texas Education Agency (TEA) standards and preserve the integrity of the member organizations and the schools they accredit. Individual schools may seek accreditation from a TEPSAC association member.

The State Commissioner of Education recognizes the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission and its affiliated non-public schools. Since 1986, the Texas Education Agency, through the Commissioner of Education, has recognized the accreditation responsibilities of TEPSAC and its affiliated associations.

The relationship of TEPSAC with the State Commissioner of Education allows for the following activities related to accredited non-public schools:

  • Transferability of student credits earned in accredited non-public schools to Texas public schools
  • Recognition of teacher service in accredited non-public schools for salary increment purposes in Texas public schools
  • TEPSAC meetings held biannually with Agency liaisons to ensure the ongoing integrity and quality of the process

ISAS was reaccredited by TEPSAC in the spring of 2016 as a member in good standing, meeting the responsibilities listed in the Criteria for Approving Accrediting Associations as stipulated in the TEPSAC manual.

OPSAC (Oklahoma Private School Accreditation Commission)

The Oklahoma Private School Accreditation Commission (OPSAC) assists the Oklahoma State Board of Education by monitoring and approving organizations that accredit non-public (private) elementary and secondary schools in Oklahoma.

OPSAC is not an accrediting agency. It is, instead, a consortium of accrediting agencies whose primary purpose is to maintain standards among its member agencies. Schools must apply to OPSAC member agencies for accreditation.

The relationship of OPSAC with the Oklahoma State Department of Education provides the following activities related to accredited nonpublic schools:

  • Transference of student credits earned in accredited nonpublic schools to Oklahoma public schools
  • The listing of all accredited non-public schools with the Oklahoma State Department of Education
  • OPSAC meetings held biannually with an Oklahoma State Department of Education liaison to ensure the ongoing integrity and quality of the process.

ISAS was re-accredited by OPSAC in 2016.

 

TPSA (Texas Private Schools Association)


The Texas Private Schools Association (TPSA, formerly TANS) was created to represent private schools in Texas in 1967. The organization was officially chartered on February 24, 1972.

TPSA provides:

  • Protection for the rights of private schools in Texas.
  • Representation to state legislators and regulators.
  • Networking for the whole community of non-public education in Texas.
  • A public voice for the benefits of private schooling to all the citizens of Texas.

Structured to meet the diverse needs of private schools statewide, TPSA connects Texas member schools to trends and events that affect non-public education.

NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools)


The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), governed by a board of trustees and staffed by approximately 40 individuals, is a membership organization which represents more than 1,300 independent schools and associations in the U.S. and affiliates with independent schools abroad as well.

The National Association of Independent Schools acts as the national voice of independent pre-collegiate education and as the center for collective action on behalf of its membership. It serves and strengthens its member schools and associations by articulating and promoting high standards of educational quality and ethical behavior, by working to preserve their independence to serve the democratic society from which that independence derives, and by advocating broad access for students in affirming the principles of equity and justice.

 

NBOA (National Business Officers Association)

The National Business Officers Association (NBOA) is the only national nonprofit membership organization that serves administrators of independent schools' to meet their financial and business operational needs. Since its founding in 1998, the association has grown from 23 member schools to nearly 1,400 schools in the United States, and even more in Canada, Mexico and around the world. 

NBOA's mission is to develop, deliver and promote best business practices to advance independent schools.