Association of Independent Schools of Florida

What Association of Independent Schools of Florida does

The Association of Independent Schools of Florida (AISF) is a Florida non-profit membership association founded in 1949 (originally as the Private Schools Association of Dade County) and incorporated in 1958, headquartered in Miami, FL. It provides third-party accreditation to private and independent schools and child-care programs across Florida through two core programs: the Academic Schools Accreditation Program (ASAP) for schools serving infants through grade twelve, and the Early Childhood Accreditation Program (ECAP) for programs through grade three, complemented by the Gold Seal Quality Care designation for child-care facilities. AISF is recognized by the Florida Association of Academic Nonpublic Schools (FAANS) as an accrediting agency and is a charter member of the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA).

AISF's product portfolio extends beyond accreditation to include recurring professional development and teacher certification services: the Master In-Service Program (annual dues tiered by school size), the PEC Program (pedagogical services), and the SWD For All Educators virtual certification class. Distribution is primarily direct to member schools via the WordPress-based website (aisfl.com), supplemented by an accreditation management portal, an online teacher continuing education platform, email communications, a Facebook presence, and the Annual Leadership Meeting, which in 2026 will be held at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel with Dr. Pablo G. Ortiz of Barry University as keynote.

Revenue is generated through five streams: (1) tiered annual membership dues by enrollment size ($1,600 for 1-300 students, $1,820 for 301-500, $2,125 for 501+) plus $350 candidate dues, plus application ($450), inspection ($770), and website maintenance ($200) fees; (2) Annual Leadership Meeting registration at $225 per attendee; (3) four-tier corporate Patron Sponsorship from $275 (Bronze) to $2,500 (Platinum); (4) professional development fees including $80 per participant for SWD training; and (5) Master In-Service Program annual dues of $200-$350 by school size. As of recent reporting AISF accredits 108 schools, serves over 25,000-32,316 students and 4,655 educators across Florida, and is governed by a 19-member Board of Directors under Executive Director Joshua Repensek and Executive Secretary Matthew Kirzner.

Name

Association of Independent Schools of Florida

Legal name

Association of Independent Schools of Florida

Website

https://aisfl.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Association of Independent Schools of Florida (AISF) is a 1949-founded, Miami-based non-profit that accredits 108+ private and independent schools and child-care programs across Florida under FAANS and NCPSA recognition, and offers recurring membership dues, professional development, Gold Seal designation, and an Annual Leadership Meeting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private School Accreditation Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

K–12/School & District Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Accreditation Standards, Benchmarking & Framework Organizations (EDADACAJ), Subsidy & Funding Compliance (CCDF/child care assistance program requirements) (EDACAKAN), In-Service Professional Development (Workshops/Institutes/Short Courses) (EDACAIAB)

Keywords

• Private school accreditation
• Educational accreditation services
• Teacher professional development
• Early childhood accreditation
• School membership association

Headquarters

HQ city

Miami

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual dues collected from member schools based on student enrollment: $1,600 for 1-300 students, $1,820 for 301-500 students, $2,125 for 501+ students. Candidate dues are $350. Additional fees include application fees ($450), inspection fees ($770), and website maintenance ($200).
2. Annual Leadership Meeting: Event registration fees of $225 per attendee for the Annual Leadership Meeting held at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel. Revenue generated from ticket sales and potential sponsorship visibility.
3. Patron Sponsorship Program: Corporate sponsorship program with four tiers: Bronze ($275), Silver ($500), Gold ($1,000), and Platinum ($2,500). Benefits include email mentions, website profile, social media highlights, and event signage.
4. Professional Development Programs: Fees for educator training programs such as SWD For All Educators at $80 per participant, and Master In-Service Program with annual dues ranging from $200-$350 based on school size.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

AISF accredits private independent schools in Florida through two programs: ASAP (Academic Schools Accreditation Program) covering infant level through grade twelve, and ECAP (Early Childhood Accreditation Program) covering infancy through grade three. The association also administers the Gold Seal Quality Care designation for child-care facilities, delivers teacher continuing education through the Master In-Service Program and SWD For All Educators certification, and operates the Annual Leadership Meeting as a member engagement and networking event. Membership tiers (Candidate, Provisional, Accredited) and tiered annual dues based on school enrollment form the core of the service.

Product overview

The Association of Independent Schools of Florida operates as an accreditation and professional development organization for private independent schools in Florida. The core offerings consist of two accreditation programs—Academic Schools Accreditation Program (ASAP) for schools through grade 12 and Early Childhood Accreditation Program (ECAP) for programs through grade 3—complemented by the Gold Seal Quality Care designation for child-care facilities. Supporting these accreditation services are professional development products including the Master In-Service Program for teacher certification renewal, the PEC Program for pedagogical services, and SWD For All Educators, a virtual class for disability awareness certification. Event registration for the Annual Leadership Meeting is offered as a separate product. The organization also maintains an accreditation portal and online teacher continuing education platform for member schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Academic Schools Accreditation Program (ASAP) Primary accreditation program for private independent schools spanning infant level through grade twelve; includes comprehensive self-study, on-site evaluation visits, and ongoing compliance monitoring against AISF standards.
• Early Childhood Accreditation Program (ECAP) Accreditation program for schools and programs serving children from infancy through grade three, focused on early childhood education quality standards.
• Gold Seal Quality Care Program Designation program recognizing child-care facilities and family day care homes that exceed minimum licensing standards. Established by the Florida Legislature in 1996 and administered by AISF.
• Master In-Service Program Teacher continuing education and certification renewal program available to all AISF member schools, providing access to workshops, training, and participation on school evaluation teams, with annual dues ranging from $200-$350 based on school size.
• SWD For All Educators Virtual professional development class fulfilling Florida teacher certification requirements for Students With Disabilities awareness; conducted by Dr. Carole Repensek at $80 per participant.
• PEC Program Professional development and pedagogical services provided to member schools and their teachers and administrators.
• Annual Leadership Meeting Registration Registration for AISF's annual leadership meeting event held at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel & Convention Center, including cocktail hour and dinner meeting with keynote speakers ($225 per attendee).
• AISF Patron Program Corporate sponsorship program with four tiers (Bronze $275, Silver $500, Gold $1,000, Platinum $2,500) providing email mentions, Annual Leadership Meeting handout insertion, business profile on AISF website, and social media highlights.

Quantifiable outcome

• 108 schools hold AISF accreditation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAISF is a charter member of NCPSA, which serves as a national review panel for standards and procedures of private school accrediting associations in the United States. Joshua Repensek serves as Executive Board member of NCPSA.
• Florida Association of Academic Nonpublic Schools (FAANS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAISF is recognized by FAANS as an accrediting agency for private schools in Florida, providing formal relationship and mutual recognition of accreditation standards.
• Phone and Pad WarehouseminorOthersPatron sponsor of AISF with business profile on aisfl.com website. Provides promotional materials at Annual Leadership Meeting.
• Tech for EduminorOthersPatron sponsor of AISF with business profile on aisfl.com website. Technology education services provider.
• All Atlantic BenefitsminorOthersPatron sponsor of AISF with business profile on aisfl.com website. Benefits/insurance services provider.
• Plastridge InsuranceminorOthersPatron sponsor of AISF with business profile on aisfl.com website. Insurance services provider.
• KDG SupportminorOthersPatron sponsor of AISF with business profile on aisfl.com website. Technology support services.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA): NCPSA is the national review panel of which AISF is a charter member. While not a direct competitor, NCPSA sets accreditation standards and review protocols that shape how AISF and similar state-level bodies operate, making it a structural peer in the accreditation value chain.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS): NAIS is the leading national association for independent schools, providing accreditation, research, and advocacy. While NAIS serves a broader membership role, its accreditation function competes for the same Florida independent schools that AISF serves.
• Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS): SAIS is a regional accreditor serving independent schools across the Southeast US. Many Florida private schools seek SAIS accreditation alongside or instead of AISF, making it a credible substitute and a broader incumbent in the same accreditation category.
• Cognia (formerly AdvancED): Cognia is one of the largest US accreditation bodies, providing school and system accreditation nationally. Florida private schools seeking federal recognition (e.g., for scholarship eligibility) may pursue Cognia accreditation, making it a high-profile alternative to AISF.

Regional players

• Florida Kindergarten Council: Florida Kindergarten Council supports early childhood education in Florida and overlaps with AISF's ECAP and Gold Seal programs. While focused on kindergarten readiness rather than accreditation, it competes for ECE providers' attention and partnership resources.

Direct peers

• Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS): FCIS is the most direct competitor: another Florida-based private school association providing accreditation, professional development, and member services to independent schools across the state, overlapping almost entirely with AISF's member base and service mix.
• Florida Association of Academic Nonpublic Schools (FAANS): FAANS is a Florida state-level umbrella for private schools that recognizes AISF as one of its accrediting agencies. FAANS sits at the same policy layer as AISF and competes for influence and member attention across the same Florida private school ecosystem.

Emerging players

• American Montessori Society (AMS): AMS accredits Montessori schools nationally, and several AISF member schools (e.g., Alexander Montessori, Montessori Academy of Broward) are Montessori-focused. AMS represents a credible alternative accreditation pathway for the substantial Montessori share of AISF's member base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/aisfl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aisfl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association of Independent Schools of Florida