Membership Affiliations

Search Associates is a valued member of many outstanding international organizations whose mission is to support international schools around the world. We are frequent participants, and often proud sponsors, of their events and conferences. We encourage you to learn more about them, below:

AAIE: The Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE) is a global community of educational leaders and learning whose membership includes international schools from around the world as well as universities, organizations, and individuals who support AAIE's mission.

AASSA: The Association of American Schools in South America (AASSA) facilitates communication and cooperative action between and among all Association schools, helping to improve upon the quality of teaching and learning in the Americas.

ACAMIS: The Association of China and Mongolia International Schools (ACAMIS) serves all its affiliates by facilitating communication among its 70 member schools, ranging in size from less than 300 pupils to over 2,500 in Mongolia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

AdvancED: AdvancEd is a nonprofit that works in partnership with 32,000 schools and school systems across the United States and 70 other nations to ensure that all pre-K-12 schools and learners realize their full potential.

AISA: The Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) currently has a membership of 74 schools across 34 countries throughout the region of Africa. AISA offers a professional development program and sponsors a wide variety of differentiated Professional Learning Institutes across the continent.

AISH: The Academy for International School Heads (AISH) is the only organization created for, and by, current and former international school heads and several international organizations serving schools around the world. Members collaborate, offer advice and support, and define areas of advocacy.

BSME: British Schools in the Middle East (BSME) provides a quality-assured network of schools throughout various countries in the Middle East, helping heads and teachers share best practices and keep abreast of the latest educational developments. BSME runs its own accreditation system, which offers over 100 courses per year and a range of inter-school sports, music, and arts.

CEESA: The Central & Eastern European Schools Association (CEESA) is a collaborative community of international schools founded as a result of the growth of American and International Schools in Central and Eastern Europe. They seek to inspire the effective use of technology in support of educational transformation and to employ effective practices, which support financial sustainability.

COBIS: The Council of British International Schools (COBIS) represents 400 member organizations, serving British international schools of global quality, providing professional development, and hosting a range of conferences throughout the year.

EARCOS: The East Asia Regional Council of Schools (EARCOS) comprises 149 member schools in East Asia that offer an educational program using English as the primary language of instruction. In addition to professional development opportunities and events, EARCOS conducts research to identify and enhance exceptional educational practices.

ECIS: The European Council of International Schools (ECIS), founded in 1965, is a collaborative global network promoting and supporting the ideals and best practices in international education. A non-profit organization, ECIS is a membership organization that provides professional learning, credentials, and bespoke solutions to its members.

FOBISIA: The Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA) stays aligned with current practices in British education. FOBISIA provides professional development for educators and opportunities for inter-school competitions and enrichment.

MAIS: The Mediterranean Association of International Schools (MAIS) presently serves as a liaison between its 40 member schools, 49 associate member organizations, as well as other regional, professional, and in-service organizations. Presently, MAIS is composed of schools from 16 different countries, including Austria, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Oman, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

NAIS: The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) is a nonprofit membership association that provides services to more than 1,800 schools and associations of schools in the U.S. and abroad, including more than 1,500 independent private K-12 schools in the U.S. NAIS aims to empower the students they serve and encourage idea sharing among member schools.

NESA: The Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools (NESA) is a non-profit, voluntary association of more than 100 private, independent American/international schools in North Africa, the Middle East and South, and Southeast Asia. NESA's mission is to serve member schools "by facilitating sustainable and systemic school improvement based on the best practices of American and international education."

Tri Association: The Association of American Schools of Central America, Colombia, Caribbean, and Mexico (Tri Association) works together with more than 60 member schools and other agencies to improve the quality of teaching and learning. The Association is supported by the Office of Overseas Schools of the U.S. State Department and serves close to 90 schools in Central America, Colombia and Caribbean, and Mexico.

Did You Know…?

Senior Associate Nick Kendell has worked in Asia, Australia, and Africa as an educator and administrator.