NAIS Statement on a Safe and Healthy Environment for Children

The nation’s independent schools are committed to providing safe and healthy environments in which students can learn, grow, and thrive. The benefits of such environments are unmistakable for both individuals and communities.
 
As a national association representing 1,800 schools and 737,500 students, The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) believes we must ensure a safe and healthy environment not only for this generation of children but also for future generations.
 
There is broad consensus in the scientific community that climate change is occurring and that it is largely the result of human activity. While climate change will have deleterious effects on all people and on the planet, children will suffer a disparate impact as greenhouse gas emissions compromise their environments.
 
We believe we can make meaningful change now to support the safety and well-being of children and our world. We urge government officials to listen to students as they advocate for systemic change. Working together, our nation’s leaders, our schools, and our students can positively affect the future. 

The following organizations have co-signed this statement:
  • The Association of Boarding Schools
  • Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools 
  • Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools
  • Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools 
  • The Association of Independent School Admission Professionals
  • Association of Independent Schools of New England
  • Association of Waldorf Schools of North America
  • California Association of Independent Schools
  • California Independent Schools Business Officers Association (Cal-ISBOA)
  • Canadian Accredited Independent Schools
  • The Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education
  • The Educational Collaborative for International Schools
  • The Enrollment Management Association
  • Friends Council on Education 
  • Hawaii Association of Independent Schools
  • Independent Schools Association of British Columbia
  • Independent Schools Association of Northern New England
  • Independent Schools Association of the Southwest
  • INDEX
  • The International Boys' Schools Coalition
  • ISEEN–Independent Schools Experiential Education Network 
  • MISBO
  • National Business Officers Association
  • New Jersey Association of Independent Schools
  • Northwest Association of Independent Schools
  • One Schoolhouse
  • Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools 
  • Philadelphia Area Independent School Business Officers Association
 

Additional Resources

For more information on what your school can do to support a healthy environment for children, please see these NAIS resources.