Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools

What Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools does

The Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (ATLIS) is a U.S. non-profit professional association founded in 2014 to serve technology leaders at K-12 independent schools. Headquartered at 1763 Columbia Road NW in Washington, DC, with its principal place of business in Winchester, VA, the organization operates with approximately 20 employees and is incorporated in California under member-driven board governance. ATLIS is the only known association specifically dedicated to technology leadership in the independent school sector.

ATLIS's core offerings span membership, certification, professional development, research, and events. Its product portfolio includes institution-wide school memberships (priced by total student enrollment), the TLIS professional certification program with its own exam ($599 member / $1,099 non-member) and prep courses, the proprietary ATLIS360 four-dimension self-assessment framework, the annual Compensation Benchmark Report co-produced with 12M & Ed Tech Recruiting, a research library spanning AI, cybersecurity, budgeting, change management, and responsible use, and signature programs such as the ATLIS Leadership Institute (ALI), the annual conference (2026 in Columbus, OH; 2027 already announced), Access Points magazine, and the Talking Technology podcast. Distribution is primarily direct-to-school via the website storefront and annual conference, supplemented by virtual events (quarterly IT, AI, Large School, and Women in Tech meetups) and an online community, ATLIS Connect.

The organization operates a diversified revenue model combining recurring membership dues, event registration fees, certification fees, paid publications, advertising/sponsorship (including Access Points placements at $1,400-$5,100), and grants. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with a sales-led overlay for direct outreach to independent schools, anchored by a core strategic partnership with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and a growing vendor affiliate ecosystem (Veracross, Blackbaud, Orah, Ed3 DAO, CDW Education, 9ine Consulting, Toddle, Ruvna, Meter, and others). ATLIS serves as a coordination hub, providing frameworks, peer networks, and research that member schools would otherwise have to assemble independently.

Name

Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools

Legal name

Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools

Website

https://theatlis.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ATLIS is a U.S. non-profit professional association, founded in 2014, that serves technology leaders at K-12 independent schools through membership, the TLIS certification, the ATLIS360 self-assessment framework, an annual conference, and a research and publications library. It is the only association dedicated specifically to technology leadership in the independent school sector.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services for K-12 Independent School Technology Leaders

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Test Center Management & Onsite Proctoring Systems (EDAFADAJ)

Keywords

• Professional association services
• Education technology leadership
• Independent school membership
• Professional certification programs
• Technology benchmarking research

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. School Membership Dues: Annual membership dues for independent schools based on total student enrollment. Schools receive institution-wide access for unlimited staff members at no additional cost.
2. Affiliate/Vendor Membership: Separate membership tier for solution providers, consultants, and partner associations serving independent schools.
3. Event Registration Fees: Registration fees for annual conferences, workshops, and professional development events. Pricing varies by event type and member status.
4. Publications and Resources: Sales of publications including compensation benchmark reports, AI guides, budgeting guides, and other professional resources. Some resources are member-exclusive free downloads.
5. Advertising and Sponsorship: Revenue from advertising in Access Points magazine, supplier directory listings, and event sponsorships.
6. Certification Fees: TLIS exam fee of $599 for members and $1,099 for non-members, plus study guide sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ATLIS is a non-profit professional association that provides institution-wide membership, the TLIS professional certification, the ATLIS360 self-assessment framework, an annual compensation benchmark report with interactive dashboard, research publications on AI, cybersecurity, and technology leadership, and a program of in-person and virtual events for technology leaders at K-12 independent schools. Its primary outputs are member services, credentialing, benchmarking research, and professional development programming.

Product overview

ATLIS is a professional membership organization serving independent school technology leaders, not a traditional software product company. The organization offers a portfolio of membership programs, professional certifications (TLIS), professional development programs, research publications, AI guidance resources, and events. Core offerings include ATLIS Membership (institution-wide access to community, resources, and networking), the TLIS Certification Program (including exam fees, study guide, and prep courses), the ATLIS360 self-assessment program (Self-Study Guide, Companion Manual, and Rubric), the annual ATLIS Compensation Benchmark Report, and comprehensive AI resources including guides for trustees, school leaders, primary grades, and middle grades. Additional publications cover technology planning, budgeting, change management, cybersecurity, onboarding, and responsible use policies. Events include the annual conference, Leadership Institute (ALI), certification prep programs, cybersecurity workshops, online AI courses through Ed3 DAO partnership, and regular webinars and meetups. The organization also publishes Access Points magazine and the Talking Technology podcast.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TLIS (Technology Leaders in Independent Schools) Certification: Professional certification program for technology leaders in independent schools.
• ATLIS Leadership Institute (ALI)
• ATLIS360
• TLIS Prep Program
• ATLIS Pillar Awards
• ATLIS Aspire Awards
• Talking Technology with ATLIS
• Access Points

Products and services

• ATLIS Membership Institution-wide professional membership program for K-12 independent schools, providing access to ATLIS Connect community, research, benchmarking tools, professional development resources, and nationwide peer networking for unlimited staff. Membership dues are based on total student enrollment.
• TLIS Certification Program
• TLIS Exam Fee Standalone exam registration for the Technology Leaders in Independent Schools (TLIS) certification, required to earn the TLIS credential.
• TLIS Study Guide 80+ page study guide covering exam format, preparation strategies, and test-taking guidance for TLIS certification candidates.
• ATLIS360 Self-Study Guide Self-assessment tool ($74) divided into four sections (Technology for Learning, Technology for School Operations, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy, Leadership and Strategy) to evaluate how schools utilize technology and its effects.
• ATLIS Compensation Benchmark Report Annual salary survey report ($179) produced in collaboration with 12M & Ed Tech Recruiting, collecting compensation and benefits data from independent school technology leaders, with in-depth analysis to support meaningful compensation discussions.
• AI Guide for School Leaders NAIS and ATLIS collaborative resource providing guidance on AI landscape navigation, legal and ethical considerations, academic integrity, and practical faculty applications for school technology leaders.
• Artificial Intelligence in K-12 Private and Independent Schools Report 2024 research report produced with Veracross, drawing insights from over 700 educators and school leaders on AI adoption across school departments from academics to admissions.
• 2026 State of Independent School Safety Report 2026 report produced with Orah surveying 85 U.S. independent school leaders on safety, showing only 41% include IT in safety decisions but effectiveness is higher when they do.
• ATLIS Annual Conference Premier annual in-person gathering for independent school technology professionals featuring educational sessions, networking, awards, and pre-conference workshops. The 2026 conference is scheduled April 26-29 in Columbus, Ohio.
• ATLIS Leadership Institute (ALI) Leadership development program for technology leaders in independent schools, with cohorts meeting multiple times per year to build leadership capacity.
• TLIS Prep Program Four-session online program (90 minutes each) supporting TLIS certification candidates with exam preparation, test-taking strategies, and understanding of TLIS domains and objectives. Priced at $107 for members and $169 for non-members.
• Online Courses on AI and Pedagogy Self-paced online courses created in partnership with Ed3 DAO, including Project-Based Learning & AI, Media Literacy & Critical Thinking in the Age of AI, and Design Thinking & AI. Each course contains 8 modules of approximately 40 hours, aligned with UNESCO international best practices.
• Cybersecurity 101 Workshop Virtual workshop addressing cybersecurity fundamentals for independent schools, including creating cyber safety teams, establishing safe-practices culture, and implementing cyber awareness programs.
• Virtual Events (Webinars, Meetups, Workshops) Ongoing virtual events including quarterly IT Meetups, quarterly AI Meetups, Women in Tech series, group meetups (Strategic Planning, Construction Projects, Reaccreditation, Data Community), and sponsored webinars.
• ATLIS Connect (Online Community) Online community platform for ATLIS members to engage in discussions, share ideas, and collaborate with peers across independent schools.
• Access Points Magazine (with Advertising) Print magazine featuring editorial thought leadership for the independent school technology community, with advertising opportunities for vendors and sponsors (full page $1,400-$3,230; back cover $3,000-$5,100).
• Talking Technology with ATLIS Podcast Podcast series covering technology topics relevant to independent school leaders, distributed on major podcast platforms as a member benefit and community-building tool.
• ATLIS360 Companion Manual Companion guide providing the 'how-to' implementation alongside the ATLIS360 Self-Study Guide's 'what' framework for school technology evaluation.
• ATLIS360 Rubric Evaluation tool for assessing how well a school's technology program meets ATLIS360 standards across multiple dimensions.
• Standards for Technology Equipment Lifespans Guide providing typical lifespans for devices, enabling school technology departments to set appropriate replacement cycles and budgeting decisions.
• Cybersecurity Recommendations for Independent Schools Recommendations and guidance for independent schools on cybersecurity best practices and implementation.
• Guidance on Cyber Insurance for Independent Schools Resource developed to help independent schools understand and obtain appropriate cyber insurance coverage.
• Budgeting Guide for Independent School Tech Leaders Practical step-by-step framework to align technology spending with school mission and strategic goals, covering budget categories, conversations, and common pitfalls.
• Leadership Principles for Independent School Technologists Comprehensive roadmap for navigating educational technology leadership, covering interpersonal skills, financial management, cybersecurity, and career development. Priced at $32.
• Change Management Toolkit for K-12 Schools Step-by-step guide created in partnership with Blackbaud for independent school technology leaders on leading technology change, launching new platforms, and supporting faculty adoption.
• AI Policy Resource Collection of sample AI policies for students and faculty, academic honesty statements, acceptable use policies, and deepfake policies from various independent schools.
• Data and Record Retention - Risk Mitigation Guide Guide for independent schools on managing sensitive, high-volume data including student records and employee files with appropriate retention policies.
• Guidelines for Responsible Use of Technology for Schools Foundational resource first released 15 years ago for K-12 schools developing policies around safe, effective, and responsible technology use, updated to include generative AI guidance.
• Onboarding Best Practices for School Leaders Comprehensive framework for supporting new faculty and staff from job offer through first year, including preboarding, blended learning, cybersecurity training, and relationship building.
• Transition Toolkit - First 90 Days Toolkit equipping technology leaders starting new roles with a 90-day planning framework and transition strategies.
• 2023 DASL Analysis from ATLIS Analysis comparing school technology programs across the country using DASL (Data and Analysis for School Leadership) data.
• ATLIS360 Interactive Dashboard Interactive dashboard allowing members to explore compensation benchmark data, benefits, and team size based on school characteristics.

Quantifiable outcome

• Institutions gain access to frameworks, benchmarks, and peer-tested strategies that help avoid costly technology missteps

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 12M & Ed Tech RecruitingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on annual Compensation Benchmark Report, collecting salary and benefits data from technology leaders at independent schools. ATLIS provides the member audience and research framework; 12M provides recruiting expertise.
• VeracrosscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on AI in K-12 Private and Independent Schools Report drawing insights from over 700 educators. Also partnered on exploring strategic relationship between CFO and technology leader publication.
• BlackbaudminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated Change Management Toolkit for K-12 Schools as a collaborative project, providing step-by-step guidance specifically for independent school technology leaders.
• Ed3 DAOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to offer three self-paced online courses on AI and pedagogy for educators. Courses are designed by Ed3 DAO and aligned with UNESCO's international best practices, with about 40 hours of content each.
• National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint programming including New View EDU LIVE events and co-developed AI Guide for School Leaders resource for independent school technology leaders.
• NAIScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-published AI Guide for School Leaders providing technology leaders with essential guidance on navigating AI in education.
• Mission & DataminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPresented pre-conference workshop on data culture and admission/enrollment data partnerships for independent schools.
• CDW EducationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored Google for Education Security Workshop at annual conference, providing free security training for K12 education technology leaders.
• 9ine ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPresents phishing and cybersecurity workshops including advanced phishing, deepfakes, and social engineering topics.
• ToddleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors quarterly AI Meetups, supporting informal virtual sessions for exploring AI with peers from independent schools.
• RuvnaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors Large School Leadership Network quarterly meetups focused on challenges unique to large independent school operations.
• MeterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors quarterly IT Meetups for technology leaders from independent schools.
• SecureWonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored webinar on leveraging IaaS and automation for school operations, featuring partner school Pingree School.
• Educational CollaboratorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered on session about managing tariffs and technology budgets; features former Catlin Gabel Director of Technology.
• STS EducationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-presented session on managing tariffs and budget challenges affecting technology departments.
• Tech & ThrivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Women in Tech Meetup Series, providing leadership development programming for women in technology roles at independent schools. Series includes four 60-minute discussion-based sessions per year.
• OrahminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on 2026 State of Independent School Safety Report, surveying 85 U.S. independent school leaders on safety dimensions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• EdSurge: EdSurge is an EdTech news, community, and events organization covering K-12 and higher education. It is comparable to ATLIS as a content-and-community platform serving educators and EdTech decision-makers, but with a more journalistic and broader-product lens rather than independent-school specialization.

Direct peers

• State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA): SETDA is a U.S. association of state-level educational technology leaders, providing advocacy, professional learning, and policy guidance. It is comparable to ATLIS in mission (supporting K-12 ed-tech leadership) but serves a different segment (state directors vs. independent school tech leaders).
• International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE): ISTE is the largest international membership organization focused on educational technology, providing standards, professional learning, certification, and a flagship conference. It overlaps with ATLIS in serving ed-tech leaders and offering credentialing, but at a much broader K-12 and global scale.
• Consortium of School Networking (CoSN): CoSN is a U.S. professional association for K-12 ed-tech leaders, offering certifications (CETL), peer networks, advocacy, and an annual conference. Like ATLIS, it serves district-level technology decision-makers, making it the closest generalist comparator — but ATLIS specializes in the independent school segment.

Others

• CompTIA: CompTIA is a major IT industry association known for widely adopted vendor-neutral certifications (A+, Network+, Security+). It is comparable to ATLIS as a reference point for ATLIS's TLIS certification model — a specialized, paid credential with study guides and prep programs targeted at a defined professional audience.
• (ISC)²: (ISC)² is a globally recognized professional association for cybersecurity professionals, best known for the CISSP credential. It is comparable to ATLIS as a model for a niche membership association with a high-value proprietary certification, study materials, and ongoing professional development programming.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS): NAIS is the leading U.S. membership association for independent (private) schools. It overlaps with ATLIS on the independent school audience and is an explicit strategic partner (joint AI Guide, co-programming). As the broader incumbent, NAIS represents both an enabler and a potential competitive threat.
• Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD): ASCD is a global professional association for educators focused on curriculum, instruction, and leadership. It is comparable to ATLIS in providing membership, publications, and professional development to educators, but covers a much broader pedagogical mission beyond technology leadership.
• National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP): NAESP is a U.S. professional association for pre-K through middle school principals. It is comparable to ATLIS as a membership-driven educator association offering publications, professional development, and events, but its focus is general school leadership rather than technology.
• American Association of School Administrators (AASA): AASA is a U.S. professional association for school superintendents and senior administrators. It overlaps with ATLIS in serving K-12 leadership and offering professional development, but at the general administrative rather than technology-specialist level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-of-technology-leaders-at-independent-schools

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Technology Leaders in Independent Schools