Independent School magazine is published quarterly by the National Association of Independent Schools, the premier membership organization and leading voice for private, independent schools in the United States. The award-winning magazine has provided thought leadership for the industry and has been a core benefit of membership for more than 80 years. Readers consistently turn to Independent School for insight, analysis, and context on the issues that matter most in education.
The magazine seeks to be anchor in a changing and challenging education landscape and offers readers thoughtful and in-depth coverage of important education, management, national, and global trends. From governance and leadership, to equity and justice, to school operations and sustainability, to the student experience, Independent School provides readers with the strategic insights they need to understand an ever-evolving landscape and the information they need, when they need it, to make informed decisions. Every issue offers access to thought leaders, industry experts, and peers, keeping readers grounded in the now and looking ahead to the future of independent schools.
To contribute to the magazine or the Independent Ideas blog, email ismag@nais.org.
Editorial Staff
- Andi Gabrick, Editor-in-Chief
- Rebecca Scherr, Managing Editor
- Luna Greenstein, Content Editor
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I submit an article or idea?
Yes! We encourage—and rely on––submissions from members of the independent schools community as well as the broader education community. We review ideas, pitches, and full manuscripts on an ongoing basis. Check out the submission guidelines page for more information. Feel free to email us at any time at ismag@nais.org.
How can I access past issues of Independent School magazine?
The online archive of back issues of Independent School starts with the Fall 2008 issue and continues through the present. For older issues (2008 through 2015), only select articles that appeared in print are available online. For later issues, the complete contents of the print issue are available. You must be logged in to access the content.
The complete contents for Independent School, dating from 1990 to the present, are available on research databases in many public and university libraries worldwide.
Many of our back issues are available for order through our online store. Discounts are available for bulk orders.
How can I receive Independent School magazine?
There are two ways to get the magazine:
- As part of your school’s membership. Member schools receive three copies, one of which goes to the head of school. A designated school administrator can assign the remaining two copies to contacts on the school’s account roster.
- A paid subscription. Anyone can purchase a subscription through the NAIS store or by calling (800) 793-6701.
When can I expect to receive my magazine?
The quarterly magazine is mailed via the USPS (and by UPS Ground in some cases of bulk orders). The exact mail dates are subject to change, but each issue usually starts to mail according to the following schedule:
- Fall: mid-September
- Winter: early January
- Spring: late March
- Summer: mid-June
*In most cases, magazines arrive within two weeks from the mail start date.
Note: For paid subscriptions, you will receive your first issue within two to three months of your purchase date. For specific questions about your subscription start date, please reach out to generalinfo@nais.org.
What happens if I don’t receive my magazine?
If it has been three or more weeks since the expected mail start date and you have not received your issue, please contact generalinfo@nais.org. You should mention whether you have a paid subscription or a member copy, which issue(s) you haven't received, and the mailing address where the issue should have been sent. We will investigate the query and follow up with the next steps.
If we determine that there was an active subscription, we will send a replacement copy if you did not receive the issue. We honor requests for replacement copies within six months of a missing issue's expected delivery date, with some limitations.
Also: It's essential to check with your school about how mail is distributed on campus and to make sure your mailing address is current and correct. If you experience recurring delivery issues, we suggest contacting your local USPS office.
And please inform us right away if you change your address so you don't miss an issue!
Can I get a refund for my magazine subscription?
We do not issue refunds on paid subscriptions if you have already received one copy of your paid subscription.
Are renewal notices sent to magazine subscribers?
We send subscribers emails reminding them to renew their subscriptions; they are auto-generated based on the subscription’s expiration date. Subscribers should receive an email 90 days from the expiration date, 60 days from expiration, 30 days from expiration, and one week from expiration. The emails direct subscribers to renew online and include the link. We do not send invoices as the renewal notice.
We also send an email reminder to renew or subscribe by a certain date to ensure that you receive the upcoming issue.