About NAIS

About NAIS

The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) is a nonprofit membership association dedicated to unlocking the extraordinary potential in students, independent schools, and their communities.

How We Serve Our Members

As the largest association of and vocal advocate for independent schools, NAIS is the leading voice promoting their unique value to parents, students, and local communities, as well as their impact on society as a whole. We help school leaders deliver exceptional learning experiences through research and trend analysis, leadership and governance guidance, and professional development opportunities for school and board leaders.

NAIS By the Numbers

1,707 Total Independent Schools 738,711 Total Student Enrollment
15% New England
10% Midwest
28% East/Mid-Atlantic
33% West/Southwest
13% Southeast/US Territories
233 International Schools
63,047 Teachers at NAIS Member Schools

Total Enrollment

12% 0-100
21% 101-200
14% 201-300
23% 301-500
11% 501-700
11% 701-1000
9% 1001+
5% Boys’ Schools
7% Girls’ Schools
88% Coed Schools

Debra P. Wilson

President, National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)

In 2023, Debra P. Wilson became the ninth president of NAIS. In addition to leading the organization in partnership with the NAIS Board of Trustees, she provides support and education to member schools. Wilson speaks frequently on topics such as leadership and governance, school operations and financial sustainability, community health and well-being, and the future of schools. She also serves as a key spokesperson, representing the independent school voice in broader educational conversations. Before becoming president of NAIS, from 2019 until 2023, Wilson served as president of the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), where she led the organization through a period of growth and supported school leaders in her region through the COVID-19 pandemic. Her SAIS role followed 19 years at NAIS as general counsel. Learn more here.

Debra P. Wilson, NAIS President
  • Boardroom

    NAIS Governance

    The NAIS Board of Trustees, currently composed of 16 individuals, addresses its fiduciary, strategic, and generative duties, led by the officers and the Executive Committee. The full board meets three times a year: in November, in late February or early March, and again in June. Board members serve three-year terms that begin at the Annual Meeting of Members in late February or early March. 

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  • Boardroom

    NAIS Mission

    As the largest association of independent schools, NAIS co-creates the future of education by uniting and empowering our community. We do this through thought leadership, research, creation and curation of resources, and direct collaboration with education leaders.

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  • Boardroom

    NAIS Annual Report

    Each NAIS Annual Report represents the association's top accomplishments throughout a calendar year. It also provides examples of the ways in which NAIS is serving its members and providing leadership in the independent school community.

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NAIS History Highlights

  • 1941
    The Independent School Bulletin Published

    Publication of the first issue of The Independent School Bulletin, precursor to Independent School Magazine.

  • 1962
    NAIS Established

    Delegates from the Independent Schools Education Board (ISEB) and the National Council of Independent Schools (NCIS) vote on March 1 in Boston to establish the National Association of Independent Schools.  The first board chair is John Gummere. Francis “Torch” Parkman, who had been president of NCIS and former head of St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Massachusetts, is named the first president of  NAIS.

  • 1963
    First NAIS Annual Conference Held

    The first NAIS Annual Conference is held in New York City with 3,000 participants representing 660 member schools.

  • 1984
    First NAIS Principles of Good Practice Approved

    The NAIS Principles of Good Practice (PGPS) for Heads, Boards of Trustees, and Independent School Trustees are approved.

  • 1986
    Conference That Will Become PoCC First Held

    The first National Conference for Teachers and Administrators of Color in Independent Schools, precursor to the NAIS People of Color Conference, is held in Reston, Virginia.

  • 1993
    NAIS Moves to D.C.

    NAIS moves its headquarters to Washington, DC, opening an office at 1620 L St. NW, and NAIS membership first exceeds 1,000 schools. Also, the NAIS People of Color Conference expands to include a student leadership component, which becomes the Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC).

  • 1997
    NAIS Embarks on Data Efforts

    NAIS establishes a task force on statistics to analyze the design, data-gathering, and reporting of independent school statistics. Ultimately, this effort becomes StatsOnline, then Data and Analysis for School Leadership (DASL).

  • 2000
    NAIS Reorganizes

    NAIS reorganizes, with a focus on heads and boards. The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) becomes its own entity. Also, private schools celebrate the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Pierce v. Society of Sisters, in which the right of private schools to exist and operate was upheld.

  • 2012
    50th Anniversary

    NAIS celebrates its 50th anniversary and moves its headquarters to 1129 20th St. NW in Washington, DC.

  • 2019
    NAIS Establishes New Mission

    The new NAIS mission, “As the largest association of independent schools, NAIS co-creates the future of education by uniting and empowering our community,” is approved by the NAIS board, along with a new vision and values.

  • 2020
    NAIS Helps Schools Manage Pandemic

    NAIS schools pivot to online learning as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts learning in U.S. schools. To meet members’ most pressing needs, NAIS rolls out several new high-touch services and resources: COVID web resources, Trend Report webinars, Snapshot Surveys, the Sharing Solutions and Community Market websites, practitioner meetups, and the Leadership Webinar Series.

  • 2022
    Membership Tops 2,000 Schools

    2022 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of NAIS. At the conclusion of the 2021-2022 fiscal year, the NAIS membership exceeds 2,000 schools (1,679 member school and 328 subscriber schools).

  • 2023
    Debra Wilson Becomes NAIS President

    Debra P. Wilson becomes the ninth president of NAIS, succeeding Donna Orem, who retires after serving as president since 2016.

About Independent Schools
Parents' Guide to Independent Schools

Find out more about the unique advantages and experiences offered by an independent school education.

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Find a Member School
Find a Member School

Explore independent schools with the NAIS Find a School Directory. Easily compare programs and access admission details to find the best fit for your family.

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