Southern Association of Independent Schools

The Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) is a U.S.-based voluntary organization of more than 380 independent elementary and secondary schools through the South, representing more than 220,000 students, founded in 1903.

SAIS represents schools in 14 Southeastern states including the Caribbean and Latin America, making SAIS the largest regional independent school association in the country.[1] It serves as a regional accrediting association, working independently of and in conjunction with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The SAIS is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools.[2]

History

The Mid-South Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) was founded in 1903. In 1986 it merged with the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), retaining the SAIS name.

By 1952, SAIS represented 138 schools in 11 southern states.[3]

In 1954 the SAIS began accrediting schools outside the United States, with the acceptance of Escola Graduada Sao Paulo in Brazil.[4]

In 1959 the organization began considering the idea of moderate mixing of the races.[5]

By 1960 the number of private schools was increasing rapidly, due to the desire of White parents to maintain a system of education which kept their children segregated from Black children. As a result, the SAIS issued a proclamation welcoming good new schools, but condemning attempts "to make financial profit out of the present emergency by the opening of sub-standard private schools".[6]

In 1976, the organization argued for the right of schools to discriminate based on race before the Supreme Court.[7] SAIS filed a Friend of the Court brief. Thurgood Marshall responded to an argument advanced by the attorney representing SAIS:

Justice Marshall became noticeably angry later, during Mr. Leonard's argument on behalf of the Southern Independent School Association. The attorney remarked that 250,000 black children attend private schools. The Justice asked him if he knew any that excluded whites. The attorney named one; then, pressed by the Justice, said he did not know it it actually excluded whites. Then he suggested schools run by Black Muslims. "You're wrong," Justice Marshall shot back. The lawyer suggested school in Mississippi. "Can you imagine," the Justice asked, "a white student applying to an all‐black school in Mississippi?" The exchange continued; finally, Justice Marshall said, loudly, "All I'm objecting to, sir, is your comparing your schools to the average Negro school. There's no comparison."[7]

In 2005, it was described as "a nongovernmental, voluntary organization that today accredits more than 13,000 public and nonpublic institutions from early childhood through university."[8]

In 2021 the organization added Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to their training.[1] In 2023 the SAIS hosted the 2023 DEI institute.[9]

Accreditation history

SAIS has been offering a dual accreditation since 1953. In 2004, SAIS began offering a dual accreditation with SACS, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.[8] Later SAIS has been working with SACS to develop standards and self-study processes more useful for independent schools.

The participating school must meet the standards listed in the Guidebook for SAIS-SACS Accreditation. SAIS-SACS accreditation is contingent upon the school meeting all standards by responding in writing to each indicator. When evidence of an indicator is not shown, the school must explain how the standard is met in the absence of the indicator. The chair and visiting team report to the SAIS Accreditation Committee if the school has met the standards and performed a thorough and adequate self-study. The SAIS Accreditation Committee has final approval of whether or not the school meets the standards and is accredited.

Schools participating in the SAIS-SACS process communicate and work with SAIS in preparation for the accreditation cycle. Schools do not work with their respective state SACS committees regarding SAIS-SACS Accreditation.

References
  1. Pointer, Savannah (August 31, 2021). "Critical Race Theory Invades Private Schools Across the Nation". Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  2. "NAIS - Approved Accreditors for NAIS Membership". www.nais.org. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  3. "Independent Schools Group Reelects Sager". Nashville, Tennessee: Nashville Banner. December 6, 1952. p. 3.
  4. "Brazil Educator at Meeting". Louisville, Kentucky: Courier-Journal. November 30, 1954. p. 5.
  5. "Moderate mixing urged by Virginian". Knoxville News-Sentinel. December 1, 1959. p. 15.
  6. Sullivan, Joseph W. (October 16, 1960). "Private Schools Mushrooming in the South". York Daily Record. York, Pennsylvania. p. 19. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  7. Oelsner, Lesley (April 27, 1976). "Private School Segregation Is Defended in High Court". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  8. Stanton, Laurie Fraser (23 Oct 2005). "Team recommends dual accreditation for Hutchison". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved 2023-04-04 – via Proquest.
  9. "2023 DEI Institute". sais.org. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
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