Announcements

Registration is open for Virtual LIs

Registration is open for Virtual LIs

LI modules fill quickly.

Register today.

New Dates Announced: Governance Upskilling Workshops & Fireside Chats

New Dates: Governance Upskilling & Fireside Chats

New sessions have been added to our Governance Upskilling Workshops and Fireside Chats series, designed to support independent school board members.

Workshops: Oct 8, Nov 25, Feb 11, Apr 22

Fireside Chats: Sept 17, Sept 23, Nov 4, Jan 28, May 5

Free for CAIS Member Schools. Fees apply for non-members.

See details and register

Foundations for School Leadership Program: Designing a Practice

Foundations for School Leadership Program: Designing a Practice

Starting the Journey – Knowing Oneself in Order to Lead

The CAIS Foundations for School Leadership Program is the essential starting point for emerging leaders in independent schools.

🗓️ Save the Dates: July 5–8, 2026
More details coming soon. Registration opens in the new year and fills quickly — early sign-up is strongly encouraged!

🔗 Learn more

Summer LI Modules – In-Person

Summer LI Modules – In-Person

Dates: July 5–9, 2026

Location: Halifax Grammar School

More details to be announced soon!

Benefits of Membership

WHY SHOULD SCHOOLS JOIN CAIS?


In Canada, education is under the jurisdiction of the provinces. However, as a national organization, CAIS encourages schools to go beyond the provincial requirements and offer additional programs and opportunities to their students.

Benefits of Membership

Member and Candidate schools have access to all CAIS privileges, including:

Accreditation

  • A recognized status assuring adherence to 12 National Standards
  • An external peer review process that acts as a catalyst for change
  • Continuous whole school improvement
  • Watch our Why CAIS Accreditation video

Professional Learning and Career Resources

  • National Leaders Conference
  • Heads & Chairs Conference
  • Leadership Institute
  • Online Leadership Development access, e.g. webinars and learning series
  • Job posting on our highly visited Career Board

Research

  • Annual and Ad Hoc Research Projects
  • School Innovation Grants
  • CAIS Connect (member-only resource portal)
  • Research surveys (including Benchmarking, Heads Compensation and Senior Leadership Compensation)

Collaboration and Networking Opportunities

  • National Networks and sharing of knowledge, e.g. Network Zoom meetings and LinkedIn groups
  • National Collaborative Initiatives, e.g. Canadian Boarding Collective
  • Volunteer opportunities such as Professional Learning Event planning committees

CAIS Accreditation drives each school to continually strive for excellence, be more intentional in its practices and be accountable to all of its constituents. Our accreditation process aligns with the highest National Standards, guiding schools through a continuous whole school improvement process that combines both an internal self-evaluation and an external peer review.

Meeting with the CAIS Executive Director is the first step towards achieving Candidate Status. Please contact Tracey Nolan, CAIS Executive Assistant at  to arrange a meeting.

 

Become a CAIS Member

This package includes expectations and guidelines for membership as well as application requirements