With approximately 400 member schools from 15 U.S. states, the Caribbean, and Latin America, SAIS is the largest regional independent school association in the country, representing more than 241,404 students.
Grade Levels Offered
61%
Lower-Middle-Upper
20%
Lower-Middle
9%
Middle-Upper
4%
Lower
5%
Upper
<1%
Middle
States Represented
| % | State |
|---|---|
| 29% | Georgia |
| 18% | North Carolina |
| 16% | Tennessee |
| 9% | Florida |
| 5% | Alabama |
| 6% | South Carolina |
| % | State |
|---|---|
| 4% | Virginia |
| 3% | Mississipi |
| 3% | Texas |
| 2% | Louisiana |
| 1% | Arkansas |
| 4% | Other |
Secular vs. Non-Secular
51%
are secular
49%
are non-secular
Religious affiliations:
52%
Christian
(non-denominational)
23%
Episcopal
9%
Catholic
7%
Jewish
4%
Presbyterian
3%
Quaker
2%
Baptist
Enrollment
Total enrollment in SAIS member schools is over 244,321 students.
| Students | % |
|---|---|
| under 101 | 5% |
| 101-200 | 11% |
| 201-300 | 11% |
| 301-400 | 11% |
| 401-500 | 13% |
| Students | % |
|---|---|
| 501-700 | 16% |
| 701-900 | 11% |
| 901-1200 | 10% |
| above 1,200 | 12% |
Day/Boarding
92%
day
7%
day & boarding
1%
boarding
Co-Ed/Single-Sex
94%
coeducational
3%
male-only
2%
female-only
Other Associations
SAIS member schools are also active in other independent school organizations:
54%
are members of NAIS
13%
are members of their state independent school associations
Head of School Demographics
68%
Male
32%
Female
Budget
| $ | % |
|---|---|
| Under 1M | 2% |
| $1-1.9M | 5% |
| $2-$2.9M | 7% |
| $3-$3.9M | 7% |
| $4-$5.9M | 14% |
| $6-$7.9M | 10% |
| $8-$9.9M | 9% |
| $10-$11.9M | 5% |
| $ | % |
|---|---|
| $12-$13.9M | 7% |
| $14-$15.9M | 4% |
| $16-$17.9M | 3% |
| $18-$19.9M | 4% |
| $20-$29.9M | 11% |
| $30-$39.9M | 5% |
| Over $40M | 8% |
School Age
The oldest school was founded in 1728; the newest school was founded in 2024. Median school age is 56 years.
3 schools are more than 200 years old
12% are between 100-199 years old
51% are between 50-99 years old
27% are between 26-49 years old
10% are less than 25 years old
Enrollment
Smallest School
24
Students
Median Enrollment
489
Students
Average Enrollment
610
Students
Largest School
2,691
Students
Data reflects SAIS member schools as of August 2026.
Member Directory
SAIS members can view the membership directory online.
SAIS History
1903
Mid-South Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) was formed to serve independent schools in the South.
1953
Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) was formed to offer a coordinated voice in the expanding world of accreditation.
1986
MAIS and SAIS merged. The SAIS name was returned.
2002
SAIS first offered accreditation.