Georgia Independent School Association

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The Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) is an association of private, independent, and parochial schools throughout the state of Georgia. It was established in 1967 as the Georgia Association of Independent Schools, at the time many segregation academies were being established for the purpose of providing whites-only education. [1] In 1972, a group of schools that refused to post a racially inclusive discrimination policy formed a new organization, the Southeastern Association of Independent Schools (SEAIS), in order to continue the exclusion of African-American Children. In 1986, when the number of overtly segregated schools was declining, the SEAIS merged with the GAIS and the name was changed to GISA. [2] [3] Over the years, many schools have migrated between GISA and the Georgia Association of Christian Schools, which also has a history of denying admission to African-Americans. [4] [ citation needed ]

Contents

The association provides coordination of and services for the various member schools, including athletics and academic competition, that are not a part of the Georgia High School Association. It further attempts to foster close relations between the member schools and the colleges and public schools in the State of Georgia. It has nearly 160 member schools.

History

In 1972, the organization severed ties with six schools for their continued open operation as segregation academies. [5]

During the 1990s and the early 2000s, GISA member-schools experienced a surge in student enrollment, with some sources citing an improved economy and worsening education outcomes in Georgia public schools. [6] However, during the Great Recession, GISA member-schools saw an enrollment decline, as financial aid and endowments were restricted. [7] Construction and capital projects were also paused or cancelled.

In 2021, GISA set up an ancillary organization, the Georgia Independent Athletic Association, to coordinate athletics for member schools. [8] Since then, and following a dispute between the public and private schools in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), over a dozen private schools have switched from the GHSA to the GISA. [9] [10]

References


  1. ↑ Johnson, Constance (September 3, 1967). "7 schools show interest in private education is growing steadily". Columbus Ledger. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  2. ↑ "About our association" . Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  3. ↑ Maschke, Carolyn (August 24, 1986). "GISA Merger Hailed as Meaningful Step". The Albany Herald. pp. 10A. Retrieved December 21, 2025– via Google Books.
  4. ↑ "Schools". Atlanta Journal and Constitution. January 17, 1982.
  5. ↑ "Schools expelled from GAIS group". Columbus Ledger. April 30, 1972. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  6. ↑ Reidel, Jon (February 25, 2001). "Private Schools get "A" in Enrollment". The Albany Herald. pp. 2AA. Retrieved December 21, 2025– via Google Books.
  7. ↑ Grillo, Jerry (2009). "Feeling the Pinch". Georgia Trend. 25 (2): 48–54 – via EBSCO.
  8. ↑ "About GIAA". GIAA. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
  9. ↑ "Six small private schools to leave GHSA, rejoin GISA". ajc. Retrieved 2025-12-21.
  10. ↑ Bevington, Rickey (2021-11-19). "More high schools quit over reclassification as football playoffs enter Round 2 | Georgia Public Broadcasting". www.gpb.org. Retrieved 2025-12-21.
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