About ISAS
About ISAS
ISAS promotes the highest professional and ethical standards of educational excellence for independent schools in the region and recognizes by formal ongoing accreditation those schools which demonstrate adherence to its standards. As a collective voice of its Member Schools, ISAS fosters collegial relations and represents their interests.
Accreditation Services
Accreditation Services
The accreditation teams bring together experts from throughout the region to challenge and support the school and provide new perspectives. These visits benefit not only the school but the members of the accreditation team—it’s a tremendous opportunity for professional development.
Ruth Burke, Assistant Head,
Episcopal School of Dallas
Professional Learning
Professional Learning
We offer a range of in-person, intensely collaborative professional learning opportunities. As our members discuss, evaluate, and disseminate cutting-edge teaching and learning programs, they spark innovation and improvement throughout ISAS schools.
Become A Member
Become a Member

Because ISAS has such high standards and such a rigorous accreditation process, I feel I can pick up the phone and call anybody in the association with any question. ISAS has done the vetting for me, so I trust everyone in the organization.
Mark Carleton, Head of School,
Presbyterian School, Houston, TX
Careers
Careers
Independent schools seek intelligent, educated, idealistic, and highly motivated faculty, staff, and administrators. Interested candidates can expect to enjoy a strong professional teaching experience, engaged students, small manageable classes, competitive salaries, and attractive benefits packages. Enjoy exploring the opportunities currently available in the Southwest.
School Directory
Directory Listing
For over sixty years, parents seeking the best in education for their children have turned to the independent schools in the Southwest region for high standards, individual attention, and well-rounded programs.

School Name

Independent Schools Association of the Southwest

About ISAS
About ISAS
ISAS promotes the highest professional and ethical standards of educational excellence for independent schools in the region and recognizes by formal ongoing accreditation those schools which demonstrate adherence to its standards. As a collective voice of its Member Schools, ISAS fosters collegial relations and represents their interests.
Accreditation Services
Accreditation Services
The accreditation teams bring together experts from throughout the region to challenge and support the school and provide new perspectives. These visits benefit not only the school but the members of the accreditation team—it’s a tremendous opportunity for professional development.
Ruth Burke, Assistant Head,
Episcopal School of Dallas
Professional Learning
Professional Learning
We offer a range of in-person, intensely collaborative professional learning opportunities. As our members discuss, evaluate, and disseminate cutting-edge teaching and learning programs, they spark innovation and improvement throughout ISAS schools.
Become A Member
Become a Member

Because ISAS has such high standards and such a rigorous accreditation process, I feel I can pick up the phone and call anybody in the association with any question. ISAS has done the vetting for me, so I trust everyone in the organization.
Mark Carleton, Head of School,
Presbyterian School, Houston, TX
Careers
Careers
Independent schools seek intelligent, educated, idealistic, and highly motivated faculty, staff, and administrators. Interested candidates can expect to enjoy a strong professional teaching experience, engaged students, small manageable classes, competitive salaries, and attractive benefits packages. Enjoy exploring the opportunities currently available in the Southwest.
School Directory
Directory Listing
For over sixty years, parents seeking the best in education for their children have turned to the independent schools in the Southwest region for high standards, individual attention, and well-rounded programs.

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ISAS Board & Committees

ISAS Board of Directors

2020-2021

Office	Name	Member School	Location	Term Expires
President	Merry Sorrells	St. Martin's Episcopal School	Metairie, LA	2022
Vice President	Mark Carleton	Presbyterian School	Houston, TX	2022
Secretary	Shara Bumgarner	The Joy School	Houston, TX	2022
Treasurer	Paul Baker	Episcopal School of Acadiana	Cade, LA	2022
Past President	Mark Desjardins	St. John's School	Houston, TX	2022
Elementary Rep.	Leanne Reynolds	River Oaks Baptist School	Houston, TX	2021
Elementary Rep.	Gary Taylor	Trinity Episcopal School	New Orleans, LA	2022
Secondary Rep.	Julie Sherrill	The Gregory School	Tucson, AZ	2021
Secondary Rep.	Billy Handmaker	Keystone School	San Antonio, TX	2022
Chair, Program Committee	Chris Gunnin	St. Stephen's Episcopal School	Austin, TX	2021
Chair, Standards Committee	JP Culley	Holland Hall	Tulsa, OK	2021
Executive Director (ex-officio)	Scott Griggs	ISAS	Dallas, TX

COMMITTEES & COMMISSIONS

Executive

Name	Member School
Merry Sorrells, Chair	St. Martin's Episcopal School
Mark Carleton	Presbyterian School
Shara Bumgarner	The Joy School
Paul Baker	Episcopal School of Acadiana
Mark Desjardins	St. John's School
Julie Sherrill	The Gregory School

Finance

Name	Member School	Term Expires
Paul Baker, Chair	Episcopal School of Acadiana	2022
Bill Sinfield	Sandia Preparatory School	2021
Patricia Swenson	Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart	2021
Cathy Hubbard	Manzano Day School	2022
Nathan Sheldon	Casady School	2022
Justin Smith	Southfield School	2022
Merry Sorrells	St. Martin's Episcopal School	(ex-officio)

Program & Professional Development Chair

Name	Member School	Term Expires
Chris Gunnin	St. Stephen's Episcopal School	2021

Standards

Name	Member School	Term Expires
JP Culley, Chair	Holland Hall	2021
Scott Griggs (ex-officio)	ISAS
Adam Valenstein (ex-officio)	ISAS
Joni Palmer (ex-officio)	ISAS

Elementary Commission

Name	Member School	Term Expires
Maura Joyce, Chair	The Post Oak School	2022
JP Culley	Holland Hall	2021
Rebbie Evans	The Winston School	2021
Emily Smith	The Branch School	2022
Garhett Wagers	St. Mark's Episcopal School	2022
Bill Bridges	Alexandria Country Day School	2023
Emma Whitman	All Saints' Episcopal Day School	2023

Secondary Commission

Name	Member School	Term Expires
Lisa Darling, Chair	The Awty International School	2022
JP Culley	Holland Hall	2021
Ian Craig	Trinity Valley School	2021
David Dini	St. Mark's School of Texas	2021
Shelby Hammer	Trinity School of Midland	2022
David Baad	The Episcopal School of Dallas	2023
Kimberly Field-Marvin	Louise S. McGehee School	2023
Nathan Washer	Wichita Collegiate School	2023