VAIS Policies

Privacy Policy

The Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) is committed to protecting your privacy and maintaining the integrity of any identifiable information collected about our users through the VAIS website, www.vais.org. VAIS collects both professional and personal information for a variety uses and takes great care in protecting all collected information.

Complaint Procedure

The Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) is a service organization that promotes educational, ethical and professional excellence through school evaluation/accreditation, attention to professional development and insistence on integrity. VAIS is not a governing agency. It does not enter into member schools' internal matters or day-to-day operations.

Each independent school has its own governing body, a Board of Trustees. The Board is accountable for the institution's financial stability and future. Its primary tasks are long-range and strategic. The Board establishes policies and plans consistent with the school's mission and provides oversight for the chief operating officer, the head of school. The Board of Trustees does not participate in the school's day-to-day operations. Operational matters-particularly disputes involving parents, students or teachers-are the responsibility of the head of school. 

A complaint submitted in writing and received by VAIS will be acknowledged in writing by the Executive Director of VAIS. Anonymous complaints will not be acknowledged nor accepted. Only complaints of practices that are in violation of the VAIS Standards can be considered by VAIS, and then only as a basis for further inquiry. VAIS will not intervene on behalf of individuals. Only findings that demonstrate failure of VAIS Standards will be reported to the Accreditation Committee for its consideration. Should VAIS’s deliberations lead to a recommendation for a change of the school’s accreditation status, the school may appeal the decision according to the VAIS appeal process.

In the event that the facts or allegations underlying a complaint submitted to VAIS are the subject of pending litigation against a member school, no action will be taken by VAIS until the litigation is fully and finally resolved. 

Non-Discrimination Statement

VAIS is an equal opportunity employer.  It is the policy of VAIS to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, ancestry, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status. VAIS complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding discrimination in employment.