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What are independent schools and how are they unique?
Independent schools are independently governed by a board of trustees which allows schools the opportunity to define their own mission and the freedom to design a quality curriculum which best meets their mission. The financial support for the independent schools does not come from taxes or church funds, but rather from tuition-paying families and charitable contributions. Families value the fact that independent schools work hard to create communities where students thrive in small classes led by quality faculty members who set academic standards consistent with the mission of the school. These important qualities were reinforced in the 1999 National Public Opinion Poll on Perceptions of Independent Schools commissioned by the National Association of Independent Schools. This poll found that “independent schools are seen as most different in offering a more personalized, customized education, and an environment that is civil and controlled. Small class sizes, individualized attention, values, manners, and discipline are the most particular factors describing differences perceived between public and independent schools.” If such qualities are important to you and your child, then the next step is to find the right independent school for your child! What is Independent Schools of St. Louis (ISSL)? Independent Schools of St. Louis (ISSL), a voluntary non-profit professional association established in 1972, includes 37 independently governed elementary and secondary schools. Members of the Independent Schools of St. Louis provide a complete range of educational opportunities, from traditional models of excellence in education to schools with curriculum focusing on students with special needs. Most member schools receive evaluation and accreditation as determined by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States, the Midwest regional arm of the National Independent Schools Association. The primary mission of the Association is to increase awareness among the public and corporate communities and to offer professional and personal growth opportunities for trustees, administrators, and teachers. It pursues this purpose through:
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