Benefits of FCIS Membership

FCIS is proud of our accreditation process and the high ideals to which our schools continually strive.  Upon completion of the accreditation process, member schools enjoy many benefits.

Accreditation

• Five year evaluation cycle by a committee of peer educators 
• Accreditation based on compliance with FCIS Standards 
• Process is recognized and accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) 
• Co-accreditation agreements with Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) 

Legislative

• As a founding member of FAANS (Florida Association of Academic Non-public Schools), FCIS provides members substantive legislative information
• FCIS is a lobbyist at the state level representing the interests of independent schools in the state
• Executive Director provides synthesis and analysis of legislative information
• FCIS is recognized as a premier accrediting body in Florida statutes

Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA)

• Executive Director provides input at the state level for schools with high school athletic programs
• Protect the interests of private schools statewide (regular schedule, tournament play, etc.)
• Representation on statewide committees

Master Inservice

• State approved program coordinated by FCIS to assist teachers in obtaining state certification
• Master Inservice program to assist teachers with state certification renewals
• Inservice credit granted to teachers for workshops, seminars, and classes conducted on a state, regional, and local level

Professional Development

• FCIS provides member schools affordable, exciting and current workshops, seminars and retreats
• Examples: FCIS State Convention in November, New Teacher Institute in September, Academy for Master Teachers, technology and legal seminars, regional topical workshops (Summercore for technology, gifted endorsement classes, marine science conference)

DeWitt E. & Vera Hooker Grant Fellowship Grant

• Provides grants to member schools
• Purpose: develop projects to be shared with member schools

Publications

• "Independents": the Newsletter of FCIS; six annual publications
• FCIS Directory : published every two years; distributed to all member schools
• FCIS Bylaws and Accreditation Standards
• FCIS Brochure: index of all FCIS schools; published and distributed annually
• FCIS Annual Conference Program: distributed at the FCIS Annual conference

Business Resources

• Technology equipment with Gov Connections
• Data Management System with Renweb
• "Sponsors" link on the website for additional resources

Heads of School opportunities

• Heads of School annual retreat in June to review and plan with colleagues
• Heads of School annual regional luncheon to discuss the "State of the state" with our Executive Director
• Evaluation Academy to prepare heads of school to become chairs for evaluation committees
• Annual convention in November, providing a head and trustees education tract