Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) is a non-profit, voluntary membership association of schools within the state of Virginia. The VAIS is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools. Prior to its establishment in Charlottesville, Virginia on April 30, 1973, a small number of independent schools’ headmasters known as “The Baker’s Dozen” met informally, teachers at their independent schools held conferences, and development coordinators hosted their own meetings to discuss commonly held educational issues. While the Virginia State Department of Education accredits independent and other nonpublic pre-school, elementary and secondary schools via the Virginia Council for Private Education (VCPE), the VAIS is a service organization that promotes educational, ethical and professional excellence.

According to their website, "the stated purposes of the Association have been to promote the well-being of and public regard for independent schools in the Commonwealth of Virginia; to safeguard the interests of these schools in matters of legislation and regulation; to act as an evaluating and accrediting organization for independent schools in Virginia; to foster mutually beneficial relations with the Virginia State Department of Education and other educational agencies; to assist member schools in maintaining standards of excellence; to encourage activities and to exchange information about new methodologies and practices; and to provide community service and leadership."

Members of VAIS VAIS members are not only located all across the state, but also the list comprises all grade levels, and both secular and religious schools.

Hampton Roads

Broadwater Academy, Exmore Cape Charles Christian School, Cape Charles Chesapeake Bay Academy, Virginia Beach Christopher Academy, Portsmouth Hampton Roads Academy, Newport News Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, Suffolk Norfolk Academy, Norfolk Norfolk Christian Schools, Norfolk Norfolk Collegiate School, Norfolk Southampton Academy, Courtland Strelitz International Academy, Virginia Beach Tidewater Academy, Wakefield Virginia Beach Friends School, Virginia Beach The Williams School, Norfolk

Northern Virginia

Alexandria Country Day School, Alexandria Browne Academy, Alexandria Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Rose Hill Commonwealth Academy, Alexandria Congressional School, Falls Church Episcopal High School, Alexandria Flint Hill School, Oakton Gesher Jewish Day School, Fairfax Grace Episcopal School, Alexandria Green Hedges School, Vienna The Langley School, McLean Linton Hall School, Bristow The Madeira School, McLean Montessori School of Northern Virginia, Falls Church The Potomac School, McLean St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School, Alexandria Trinity School at Meadow View, Falls Church Westminster School, Annandale

Northwest Virginia

Foxcroft School, Middleburg Fredericksburg Academy, Fredericksburg Highland School, Warrenton The Hill School, Middleburg Loudoun Country Day School, Leesburg Middleburg Montessori School, Middleburg Powhatan School, Boyce Randolph-Macon Academy, Front Royal Saint James' Episcopal School, Warrenton Wakefield School, The Plains

Richmond

Anna Julia Cooper School Benedictine College Preparatory Church Hill Academy Collegiate School Good Shepherd Episcopal School Millwood School The New Community School Northstar Academy Orchard House School Richmond Montessori School Riverside School Rudlin Torah Academy Sabot at Stony Point Seven Hills School St. Andrew's School St. Catherine's School St. Christopher's School St. Michael's Episcopal School The Steward School Trinity Episcopal High School

The River

Aylett Country Day School, Bruington Chesapeake Academy, Irvington Christchurch School, Christchurch St. Margaret's School, Tappahannock Ware Academy, Gloucester

Southwest Virginia

Boys Home of Virginia, Covington Chatham Hall, Chatham Community High School, Roanoke Hargrave Military Academy, Chatham James River Day School, Lynchburg New Covenant Schools, Lynchburg New Vistas School, Lynchburg North Cross School, Roanoke Carlisle School, Martinsville Oak Hill Academy, Mouth of Wilson Sullins Academy, Bristol Virginia Episcopal School, Lynchburg

Valley

Blue Ridge School, St. George The Covenant School, Charlottesville Eastern Mennonite School, Harrisonburg Field School of Charlottesville, Crozet Fishburne Military School, Waynesboro Fork Union Military Academy, Fork Union Fuqua School, Farmville Grymes Memorial School, Orange The Miller School of Albemarle, Charlottesville Mountaintop Montessori School, Charlottesville St. Anne's-Belfield School, Charlottesville Stuart Hall School, Staunton Tandem Friends School, Charlottesville Woodberry Forest School, Woodberry Forest

References

External links Virginia Association of Independent Schools