PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

With a tradition of excellence in the area of professional development programming, NJAIS offers meaningful and innovative learning events on a full range of topics, both in-person and virtually. Grounded in best practices and tailored to current and future needs of independent schools, we offer:

• Conferences featuring leading international experts in education and related fields.

• Board governance development, including an annual Trustee Enrichment Day, as well as additional bespoke offerings tailored to the needs of our membership. 

• Leadership Institute to prepare teachers and administrators for further leadership roles in independent schools. 

• Day-long workshops with a focus on current trends and research in varied educational topics.

• Round tables for extended conversations around specific issues.

• Formal leadership roles for teachers through service as the school's representative to the NJAIS Professional Development Committee or as their school's PD Liaison.

• An annual workshop dedicated to Instructional Skills (for new and experienced teachers and administrators).

• An annual conference for Heads of School, Admission, Finance, and Development Officers.

• The opportunity to serve on accreditation visiting teams.

• A career center with job listings on the NJAIS website.

• Consultations with NJAIS staff members or retired Heads of School and retired Business Managers through the "Encore Series."

• Active listservs for affinity groups that provide a forum for professional exchange of information.

ADVOCACY

NJAIS engages in public advocacy that safeguards the independence of its member schools from governmental regulation overreach.

• NJAIS is recognized as a premier accrediting body in New Jersey exclusively for independent schools.

• As a member of the New Jersey Nonpublic Schools Advisory Council, NJAIS provides substantive legislative information, synthesis, and analysis. We issue special alerts when necessary. 

• NJAIS coordinates with the Catholic Conference at the state level representing the interests of independent schools in the state.

• Our  Member Schools Directory  provides links from the NJAIS website to your school, giving prospective parents direct access to your school.

• Participation in joint marketing efforts to increase the visibility of NJAIS schools.

RESOURCES AND INFORMATION

Clear, accurate, informative data is essential for planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs. NJAIS regularly communicates through:

• A website library of curated resources, including monographs on topics germane to independent school leadership, governance, and operations.

• Research-based collection of regional statistics on enrollment tuition, salaries, budgets, annual giving, enrollment, attrition, etc.  (This report is shared with Heads of School only.)

• Periodic communications to Heads containing professional and legal information.

• Listservs for target constituency groups.

• Legal advice at a discounted rate through Hatfield Schwartz Law Group.

• Collective insurance purchasing through The Garden Group.

CONSULTATION

NJAIS provides direct and immediate support for members who are confronting difficult issues, as well as in-depth and sustained support in developing programs of excellence. We offer consultations on:

• Governance, conflict management, and strategic planning

• Mentoring programs for teachers, facilitating teacher services committees, and supporting teacher representatives by the Director of Professional Development

• Visiting team training workshops and accreditation steering committee training by the Director of Accreditation

SPORTS

Opportunity for NJAIS member secondary schools to play in the Prep Tournaments.

FELLOWSHIP AND COMMUNITY

Equally important are opportunities for collegiality and networking with peers in other independent schools across New Jersey. Members develop lasting professional and personal relationships with others as they share and learn about best practices in peer schools.

NJAIS members have immediate access to a strong network of colleagues committed to supporting one another in advancing all aspects of the independent school experience.

• The NJAIS Board of Trustees comprises member school leaders, higher education leaders, and additional expertise from the nonprofit sector that serves independent schools.

• Liaison with and access to national, regional, and state associations, such as the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), The Council for American Private Education (CAPE), and other independent school organizations.

• Assistance with marketing through strong advocacy for independent education.

• Fellowship with colleagues at events.