Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS)
The Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS) is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 1969 at the proposal of The Reverend Burton A. MacLean of Iolani School. As of 2024, HAIS serves 93 private and/or independent schools and more than 35,000 students in Hawai’i, USA.
Its member schools include some of the largest independent as well as smallest schools in the U.S. and all of them are united in helping students achieve personal and professional excellence.
HAIS is affiliated with the National Association of Independent Schools, as well as the state liaison for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. HAIS is governed by a board of directors, who are the heads of its member schools.
How does HAIS work?
The Hawaii Association of Independent Schools enables collaborative efforts among its 100+ members on issues concerning mutual functioning, as well as partnerships to address collective needs.
The primary works of HAIS are:
- Sustaining school renewal with accreditation and/or licensing of its member schools;
- Developing and delivering professional growth opportunities relevant to 21st-century education for the faculty and staff of its member schools;
- promoting choice as an important community value and assisting parents in learning about independent education;
- creating public-private partnerships that support and enhance public education.