Skip to main content
Apply for Membership
Apply for Membership

Join Us!
We Would Love to Welcome Your School Into the Association

New School Services

This introductory membership is a chance to enjoy some of the benefits of working with CAIS, while you're in the process of applying for Provisional membership.

Specifically, New School Services membership allows the Head of School to:

  • join the CAIS Head's discussion forum;
  • register for most CAIS events;
  • receive CAIS member school statistics;
  • consult the CAIS Executive Director when needed.

To apply, complete this application form, and send a check for $1,000 to:

California Association of Independent Schools
Dept LA 25158
Pasadena, CA 91185-5158

Provisional Membership

Provisional members are on the path toward accreditation by CAIS. Applications are reviewed and approved by the CAIS Board of Directors. To begin the application process, complete this form.

After receiving the form, CAIS asks applicant schools to submit an application fee, and to prepare and upload six PDF documents that contain extensive information about the school. The required documentation includes an external financial audit and detailed information about enrollment, personnel, policies, and curriculum.

Complete applications, including all required documents, must be submitted by January 1st.

After initial review by the CAIS Board of Directors, applicant schools whose documents align sufficiently with Association standards are visited by a small delegation. A formal Board vote follows within a few months of the visit. Successful applicants are listed as Provisional Members of the Association as they prepare for full accreditation.

Full Membership

Full members complete two to three years of Provisional membership, and engage in the formal process of self-study and review by a visiting team to achieve accreditation.

Member schools have full access to CAIS resources, data, and networks. Heads of member schools are asked to serve on an accreditation team most years, and senior administrators are also encouraged to join accreditation teams.

To inquire about becoming a member school or joining the New School Services program, please contact us for more information.