School Membership Categories

NJAIS offers two categories of membership: Full (Regular) Membership, and Associate Membership. The comparison chart on this page illustrates the benefits and features that come with each category.
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Full Membership

Full Membership is our gold standard category, offering schools the full slate of our services from accreditation to legislative advocacy at the state level in NJ to benchmarking data, NJSIAA eligibility, as well as reduced rates for professional development, legal advice, and strategic communication services. 

Associate Membership

Associate Membership, our newest category, is open to schools that do not qualify for Regular (Full) Membership, providing a select slate of benefits that give access to our network, professional development, and business insurance purchasing collective.
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Membership Requirements

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Membership Criteria

A Full (Regular) Member School Candidate:
  • Demonstrates the ability to meet all NJAIS major accreditation standards, with the aim of becoming an accredited member.
  • If a school is NOT accredited by a cooperative accreditation partner at the time of application, it has up to three years to initiate the NJAIS accreditation process. Until the school achieves accredited status, it is admitted to NJAIS as a 'provisional member.'
  • Full member schools must have 501(c)(3) status from the IRS.


An Associate Member School Candidate:
  • Does not qualify for Full (Regular) Membership.
  • Is committed to the NJAIS mission, ethical governance, and professional development.
  • Is accredited by a recognized agency, or can demonstrate adherence to a comparable set of educational and operational standards.

Membership Dues

NJAIS charges annual membership dues to all its member schools, based on the size (student enrollment) of the school. We charge a base fee plus a specific dollar amount per enrolled student. Dues are billed annually in May for the upcoming school year, July 1 to June 30. Please contact the Executive Director for the membership dues sheet.

Member School Responsibilities

By becoming a Full (Regular) Member of NJAIS, a school agrees to:
  • Pay annual dues to NJAIS by 1 July of each year.
  • Ensure that the school is either fully accredited, or in the accreditation process.
  • Notify NJAIS promptly of any significant changes at the school, and schedule a Significant Change Visit.
  • Complete the Annual Report each year by October 15.
  • Submit school data through NAIS Data Analysis for School Leadership (DASL) by the annual due date communicated by the NJAIS office. Please note that DASL data submission is a membership requirement, irrespective of whether your school is a member of NAIS.
  • Support NJAIS-sponsored events through attendance, and/or providing volunteers or facilities for the events.Recommend and provide professionals to serve on accreditation teams.
  • Be guided by the NAIS Principles of Good Practice.

By becoming an Associate Member of NJAIS, a school agrees to:
  • Pay annual dues to NJAIS by 1 July of each year.
  • Notify NJAIS promptly of any significant changes at the school (e.g., change of leadership, change of location, new division or program, etc.).
  • Support NJAIS-sponsored professional development through attendance, and/or providing volunteers or facilities for the events.
  • Recommend and provide professionals to speak at professional development events.
  • Be guided by the NAIS Principles of Good Practice.