Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools

Founded in 1941, the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools (PNAIS) is a professional organization serving independent elementary and secondary schools in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and British Columbia. The 72 member schools and 4 new school subscribers enroll over 20,000 students. The philosophy, principles, and practices of member schools are consistent with a free, open, and humane society; schools encourage free and open inquiry.

The primary mission of the Association is to encourage and support member schools in their efforts to improve themselves and the education that they offer. It pursues this purpose through:

• Setting comprehensive accreditation standards which must be met by member schools;
• Maintaining a rigorous accreditation process based on self study and peer review;
• Providing extensive professional development conferences and activities for faculty, administration, staff, and trustees;
• Helping schools understand and respond to the demands of an increasingly multicultural and global society;
• Organizing the pooling and exchange of information and other resources among member schools;
• Representing the interests of the membership in public forums;
• Identifying and defining standards for ethical practices in the relationship among schools;

Within the parameters of the standards for membership and statement of philosophy, the Association seeks to include schools with diverse educational views and programs.

While providing many essential services to its member schools, PNAIS focuses its main efforts in the areas of (1) Accreditation - (assuring that a school meets or exceeds PNAIS Standards and criteria for the assessment of institutional quality) and in (2) Professional Development – (PNAIS sponsors numerous workshops, conferences, and retreats for faculty, students, trustees, and administrators of member schools. It welcomes non-member participation in many of these events.)

The forty-one PNAIS member schools in Washington include: Hyla Middle School, Island School, Eastside Catholic High School, Eton School, Forest Ridge School, Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle, The Little School, Open Window School, St. Thomas School Thomas Academy, NOVA School, Gig Harbor Acedemy, The Overlake School, Bertschi School, The Bush School, Epiphany School, Explorer West Middle School, Hamlin Robinson, Happy Medium School, Holy Names Academy, Lakeside School, Meridian School, Northwest School, Seattle Academy, Seattle Country Day School, Seattle Hebrew Academy, Seattle Jewish Community School, University Child Development School, University Prep, Villa Academy, Westside School, Zion Preparatory Academy, Evergreen School, Discovery School, Saint George’s School, Annie Wright School, Charles Wright Academy, Seabury School, The Gardner School, Harbor School, and Bear Creek School.

For more information:

MEADE THAYER
Executive Director
1906 - 42nd Ave. E
Seattle, 98112
(206) 323-6137
(206) 324-4863
www.pnais.org

-submitted by Joan Beauregard