The Atlanta Area Association
of Independent Schools is an affiliation of independent schools in the
The AAAIS Fair is an annual
event, usually conducted in the fall of each year, in which AAAIS schools
invite prospective parents and students to speak with school representatives.
The fair is usually conducted on a Sunday afternoon from
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.
Members of AAAIS operate utilizing 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.
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.
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 an applicant of their status prior to the official notification date. AAAIS schools are prohibited from recruiting students based upon athletic or artistic talent.
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.
The Georgia Independent
School Association is a consortium of independent schools throughout the state
of
The Joint Atlanta Testing Program involves a consortium of some of the AAAIS member schools. The JATP schools utilize a common test administration for students applying for positions in PreKindergarten 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 their own testing for grades PreKindergarten through fifth.
The National Association of
Independent Schools is a consortium of independent educational institutions
that serve students in grades prekindergarten through
twelve throughout the
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
both English and Spanish, is used to calculate need based on a moderate
standard of living for the geographic area of an applicant.
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.
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
The Secondary School
Admissions Test is a standardized instrument which many schools utilize as a
standard 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
School Scholarship Service,
based in