PAIS Accreditation
Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools, under its Commission for Accreditation, offers a means to standards-based accreditation using a
comprehensive set of standards for private independent schools in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Accreditation ensures the public that
member schools meet and maintain articulated standards of educational
excellence.
The fundamental principle underlying the operation of PAIS is that
a school should be evaluated by the association’s standards in light of
the school’s own philosophy.
PAIS provides member schools with professional peer review by
teachers and administrators from other member schools. The process of
thorough and honest self-study followed by a review and on-site visit
by a committee provides schools with a fuller understanding of their
own strengths and weaknesses and, therefore, enables them to become
stronger. It is also through the accreditation process that schools
hold themselves publicly accountable to all who seek assurance that
they meet accepted standards of educational quality, operation, and
staff competence. While each school is accredited based on its
individual philosophy, the standards provide a consistent and uniform
measure by which all schools are evaluated.
For further information on PAIS accreditation see the following pages:
Authorization to accredit member schools has been granted to the
Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools by the Pennsylvania
Department of Education under the provisions of the Private Academic
Schools Act No. 1988-11.
The PAIS Evaluation and Accrediting Program is officially
recognized by the Board of Directors of the National Association of
Independent Schools and is an affiliate member of that association.
PAIS and its PAIS accredited member schools comply with all applicable laws and
regulations regarding discrimination in admissions, employment, and all
other aspects of school operation as provided by law.
