About GISA
About Our Association
We have been privileged to serve Georgia’s premier independent K-12 schools for more than 35 years!
Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) is a non-profit association of private, independent K-12 accredited schools throughout the state. The mission of GISA is to advance excellence and collaboration among Georgia’s independent schools by serving the professional growth, advocacy, and interscholastic needs of member schools. Each member school is unique while sharing a unified commitment to overall excellence, as well as to the nurture and care of the physical, intellectual, social, and moral development of all students.
GISA’s Mission
GISA advances excellence and collaboration among member schools by providing advocacy, professional growth and student interscholastic engagement.
GISA’s Vision
Independent schools working together, leading with excellence and providing opportunities for Georgia students.
History
Georgia Independent School Association was formed from the merger of the Georgia Association of Independent Schools (GAIS) and the Southeastern Association of Independent Schools (SEAIS) on July 1, 1986.
At the time of the merger, GISA had 113 diverse member schools, including religious, military, boarding, and single-sex institutions, most of which were college preparatory. Today we have nearly 170 member schools across 60 counties, serving more than 81,500 students.
The formation of our merged associations played a leading role in the establishment of the Georgia Private Education Council (GPEC) which engaged in several political actions on behalf of their members. Significant achievements in this area include: (1) Participation in the Governor’s Honors Program; (2) Relief from the state sales tax on certain items purchased by private schools; (3) Assistance in defining the role of the Georgia High School Association concerning athletics, with particular reference to the treatment of private schools; (4) Establishment of a literary and athletic league for private schools who choose not to participate in the activities of the GHSA.
Since the GPEC came onto the scene, most political action takes place through this organization wherein GISA acts in cooperation with representatives of five other Georgia private school groups. The sections of the Georgia compulsory attendance law, the parts pertaining to non-public, or private schools were written by GPEC at the request of the Georgia Senate Education Committee and the Governor’s Office.
GISA Leadership:
Dr. Jeff Jackson, President
(July 2009 – Present)
Dr. Michael Drake, Executive Director
(July 2001 – June 2009) – 8 Years
Mr. Morris C. Johnson, Executive Director
(1986 – June 2001) – 15 Years
