Parents NAIS - Links of Interest

Find more information on these topics at the links below:

Independent School Admissions

NAIS member schools strive to uphold Principles of Good Practice, guidelines that set high standards and define ethical behavior in more than a dozen important areas of independent school operations. Each set of principles was drafted by an NAIS committee of practitioners in that professional area and submitted to the NAIS board of trustees for approval.

Two of the areas the Principles of Good Practice cover are especially relevant to families who want to learn more about how schools operate.

Principles of Good Practice for Admission guide the admission staff’s dealings with parents, schools, colleagues, and the general public. The principles cover issues including nondiscrimination, financial aid, confidentiality, and more.
Principles of Good Practice for Equity and Justice provide a foundation for communities that are inclusive, diverse, and multicultural.

Educational Consultants

Independent Educational Consultants Association members specialize in helping families select and apply to international schools, boarding schools, schools for students with learning disabilities, and other independent schools.

Boarding Schools

Junior Boarding Schools Association represents 14 schools that specialize in elementary and middle school education in a residential setting. Get member links; perspectives from parents, faculty, students, and alumni; essays on the junior boarding school experience; and other resources.

The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) provides definitions and links to different types of boarding schools, including military, junior boarding, pre-professional arts, etc., as well as information for international families and application advice.

Western Boarding Schools Association represents more than three dozen college-preparatory schools in the western United States and Canada. The site provides a school finder, a calendar of school fairs, and application materials.

Single-Sex Education

International Boys’ School Coalition represents 150 independent and parochial boys’ schools worldwide.

National Coalition of Girls’ Schools offers guidance on "Why a Girls' School" along with “Tips for Parents” and “Tips for Girls.” You can also search a state-by-state listing of more than 100 girls’ schools in the Member Directory.

International Schools

Canadian Association of Independent Schools includes a membership listing you can search for more than 75 schools by province or school type.

Council of International Schools provides a member directory of international schools.

Financial Aid Application Forms

There are services that process financial aid for many independent schools. Ask your school if it recommends any of these services and what forms you need to fill out.

Loan Services

Financial aid loan programs are tuition-loan services especially for kindergarten through 12th grade. Ask the school to which you’re applying if it has any preferred loan companies, perhaps connected with its tuition-payment plan.

Tuition Payment Plans

Tuition payment plans allow you to make monthly payments for independent school fees and tuition, instead of paying in one or two lump sums. Typically, payment plans are coordinated between a financial services company and individual schools and are offered to families for a relatively small fee. Ask your school if it recommends certain plans or providers.

Tax-Advantaged Savings Programs

Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) are tax-friendly accounts that families can use for K-12 private school expenses, as well as higher education. You can learn more at http://finaid.org/savings/coverdell.phtml and in the IRS publication “Tax Benefits for Education.” (Note that the IRS publication covers more than just Coverdell accounts, including many tax-related programs that are exclusively for college expenses.)

Merit Aid/Scholarships

The majority of financial aid available to families attending independent schools comes directly from the schools, so the first step in researching scholarships is to talk to the school. Also look into scholarship programs offered by local chapters of national organizations like the Rotary Club, employers, churches, civic organizations, and your local Chamber of Commerce. Some of these are listed below.

NAIS has compiled the following list of scholarship programs for informational purposes only. The information has been verified to the best of NAIS’s ability. NAIS cannot be held responsible if certain programs cease operations, alter their program details, or change contact information. Because these organizations are largely funded through voluntary, private donations, programs may change at any time. Contact the agencies for specific program terms, descriptions, deadlines, and eligibility requirements.