What does ISSL mean in SCHOOLS

Independent Schools of St. Louis (ISSL) is a non-profit organization established in 1971 for the advancement of education and educational opportunities for students in private schools and independent schools in the greater St. Louis metropolitan area.

ISSL is currently home to 52 member schools including coeducational, college preparatory day and boarding schools. Most of these are faith-based institutions and comprise a wide range of religious affiliations including Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Jewish, Islamic and Unitarian Universalist.

Yes! We offer an independent school admission testing program which has been designed to provide reliable assessment data that can be used for admission or placement decisions within our member institutions. This assessment also serves to provide comparative data among tested students from different backgrounds across the country.

Yes! We have several programs under the umbrella of our School Improvement Program that promote best practices in teaching and learning activities such as professional development workshops, student leadership initiatives and volunteer projects. We also host several events each year that bring together administrators from our member schools to collaborate on common goals such as advocating for increased student achievement in all academic areas.

Our membership process begins by submitting an application form along with supporting materials to demonstrate your commitment to providing quality education for all students at your institution. Once approved, you will receive access to all services offered through our network of member institutions such as professional development seminars, networking events and other collaborative initiatives. If you have additional questions about joining ISSL please contact us directly through our website or email us at [email protected]

Yes! There is an annual membership fee which helps cover the costs associated with running the organization such as office space rental fees, administrative costs and communication fees. The exact amount varies based on school size but ranges between $1K-$5K per year depending on enrollment numbers and other factors. Please contact us directly if you would like receive an exact quote based on your specific needs.

No! Although accreditation is preferred it is not required at this time so long as your institution meets all state/local regulations related to health/safety standards, curriculum requirements etc.. In addition we do ask that new members submit recommendations from current parents/students attesting to their commitment to providing high quality education for all students at their institution as well as proof of financial stability so that we can ensure our efforts are going towards successful programs that benefit everyone involved.'

While we serve all types of private/independent schools throughout the region both large and small our primary focus has been on helping smaller rural communities build up their existing infrastructure so they can better reach out to potential students who may not otherwise have access to private school options due their location or financial limitations. Additionally we strive to create strong professional networks between members so they can leverage best practices when it comes time implementing new policies or integrating new curricular approaches into their classroom instruction."