The Association began in 1949 as the Private Schools Association of Dade County and was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1958. AISF schools serve more than 25,000 students in various programs: traditional and Montessori; boarding and day; pre-school, kindergarten, elementary, and secondary; special learning needs; experimental; religious, non-sectarian, non-denominational; and college preparatory.

Independent schools channel resources directly to students learning, counseling, and growth. The energy of independent schools goes into a common purpose: high academic standards unhampered by political considerations. The classroom is the basic unit. The basic relationship is between student and teacher.

AISF is recognized by the Florida Association of Academic Nonpublic Schools as an accrediting agency for private schools in Florida. AISF is a Charter Member of the National Council for Private School Accreditation. NCPSA serves as a national review panel for the standards and procedures of private school accrediting associations in the United States.

Member schools offer small class groupings, flexible programs, and helpful teacher-pupil ratios. AISF schools stress academic fundamentals while tailoring their instructional programs to meet the needs, capabilities, and interests of their students.

Member schools shall be accredited by one of the two AISF accrediting divisions – the Academic Schools Accreditation Program (ASAP) or the Early Childhood Accreditation Program (ECAP). All members are invited to attend our General Meetings and our Teaching Conference. Click below for further information.

• 2007-2008 General Meetings and Workshops


AISF confers two awards during the Annual Teaching Conference: The Richard and Dorothy Lear Distinguished Educator Award and the Alan O’Such Outstanding Service Award. Click here for past and present award recipients.