Membership

The Association's membership of 100 schools represents close to 40,000 students in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Application for Membership (pdf download) 

What are the criteria for PAIS membership?
What are the steps to apply for PAIS membership?
After your application is received
If your school is approved for PAIS membership

What are the criteria for PAIS membership?

Prior to submitting an application for PAIS membership, school leadership must be able to establish that the school:

• Is academic in its mission.
• Is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
• Is accredited by PAIS (Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools) Commission for Accreditation or MSACS (Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools) or is a candidate in the PAIS accreditation process.
• Has a written policy of non-discrimination.
• Has conducted a certified independent audit including the auditor's opinion letter.

Associations serving private independent schools and having a clear interest in independent schools and education in Pennsylvania may be considered for associate membership by action of the Board of Directors.

PAIS and its member schools comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding discrimination in admissions and employment, and all other aspects of school operation as provided by law.

What are the steps to apply for PAIS membership?

Schools seeking PAIS accreditation must first become a provisional member of the Association.

The steps for a school to become a PAIS member are as follows:

1. Confirm that your school meets the above criteria.
2. Contact the PAIS Executive Director, Linda L. Phelps, at 610-567-2960 or Lphelps@PAISPA.org to discuss PAIS membership and request a Membership Application and information packet.
3. Review the information in the packet and complete the Membership Application.
4. Submit the following to the PAIS office:
   • completed PAIS Membership Application
   • your school's admissions packet
   • for schools currently accredited my Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, copy of the report from your school's most recent accreditation visit

Application for PAIS Membership

After your application is received

Upon receipt and review of your school's application materials, a representative of PAIS will contact you. If your school is not accredited by PAIS, a school visit by a PAIS representative will be required and arranged. The PAIS representative will submit a report to the PAIS Board of Directors at its next scheduled meeting following the visit. The Board will review all information and will notify you of the status of your application.

If your school is approved for PAIS membership

If regular or provisional membership is granted, your school will be billed the prorated amount required for dues to the Association.

Annual dues are based on your school's enrollment and operating expenses for the previous academic year. Dues range from $1,030 to $6,951, with an additional small per student accreditation fee, for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Upon payment of the dues, your school will be eligible for all member benefits and services.

The steps to the accreditation process

1. an on-site one-day visit by two members of the Board of Directors, who will then submit a written report outlining their observations to the full Board of Directors
2. required Board approval formally accepting the school into provisional membership. The school pays PAIS dues as