AAAIS
The Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools is an affiliation of independent schools in the Atlanta area that operates under similar ethical and organizational guidelines. AAAIS schools also administer a nondiscriminatory policy towards admission and do not discriminate regarding race, color, creed, gender, national origin or age.
AAAIS School Fair
The Atlanta School Fair will be held on Thursday, October 7 from 6-8 pm at the Lodge at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, 3417 Roswell Road, Atlanta 30305. Over 50 of Atlanta's independent, public and charter schools will be on-hand to meet prospective parents and students.
Application Deadlines
Most AAAIS schools have an application deadline in either February or March of the year prior to the time a student wishes to enroll. In order to be considered, it is essential that applicants attend to the application deadline and adhere to the deadline at each school to which they apply.
Applicant Notification
Members of AAAIS utilize a common calendar for admissions issues. In particular, AAAIS schools agree to a common notification date to allow candidates to know their status, whether accepted, wait listed, or denied. The notification date generally occurs during the first week in April prior to the August a student would begin classes.
Applicant Response Deadlines
AAAIS schools agree to abide by a common response deadline from applicants. Within 12 days of the notification deadline, applicants must respond to schools and advise them of their decision to attend or not. Between the applicant notification date and the response deadline, AAAIS schools do not allow applicants or their parents to visit any AAAIS schools.
Code of Ethics
In order to ensure the highest levels of professional conduct and standards, member schools of the AAAIS organization operate under a common code of ethics. In particular, the emphasis is always on operating in a fashion which is in the best interest of the applicant. AAAIS schools may not ask applicants for commitments or indications of commitments in terms of school of first choice, nor may they advise applicants of their status prior to the official notification date. AAAIS schools are prohibited from recruiting students based upon athletic or artistic talent.
Financial Aid
Many of the AAAIS member schools provide some financial aid to students who show documented need. No performance-based or athletic assistance is available in AAAIS schools. Policies and calendars related to financial aid vary widely between schools, and candidates interested in financial aid issues should speak directly with admissions officers at the schools in which they have interest.
GISA
The Georgia Independent School Association is a consortium of independent schools throughout the state of Georgia. Located in Griffin, Georgia, the executive director of the GISA assists member schools with athletic, academic, and governmental issues.
JATP
The Joint Atlanta Testing Program involves a consortium of the AAAIS member schools. The JATP schools utilize a common test administration for students applying for positions in Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grade. Applicants may wish to inquire with each admissions office with regard to whether the school is a participant in the JATP or whether the school conducts its own testing for grades Pre-Kindergarten through fifth.
NAIS
The National Association of Independent Schools is a consortium of independent educational institutions that serve students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through twelfth throughout the United States. The NAIS is an organization which provides support services, statistical analysis, educational opportunities and lobbying efforts for member institutions.
PSAS
The Private School Aid Service provides a comprehensive service which handles all aspects of the financial aid application and verification process. PSAS was founded in 1975 as a company specializing in need-analysis for private grade schools and high schools. The PSAS Student Aid Form, which can be completed in either English or Spanish, is used to calculate need based on a moderate standard of living for the geographic area of an applicant.
SACS
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is an accrediting agency which validates the quality of educational experiences and opportunities within colleges and schools throughout the Southern Region. Accreditation by SACS is a significant indication of high standards and successful programs.
SAIS
The Southern Association of Independent Schools is a voluntary organization of more than 280 independent elementary and secondary schools throughout the South, representing more than 160,000 students. The mission of SAIS is to promote independent education as essential to the public interest by serving member schools through accreditation and professional development.
SSAT
The Secondary School Admissions Test is a standardized instrument which many schools utilize as an admissions assessment for students applying to grades six through twelve. Virtually all members of the AAAIS require students to take this test to be considered for admission. Generally speaking, most students sit for the test at one of the participating AAAIS schools on a Saturday morning between 8:00 a.m. and noon, during the months of October through March. Private testing sites in Atlanta are also available. Students register for the SSAT by requesting an SSAT bulletin from a participating school in which they have interest. Additionally, students may register online.
SSS
School Scholarship Service, based in Princeton, New Jersey, is an independent evaluator of financial aid requests. SSS evaluates parent financial statements submitted by the applicant’s parents and/or guardians, determines the level of financial need, and advises member schools of the analysis.