• Access at special membership rates to professional development events for school leaders (administrators & teachers) - workshops, school leadership courses, first aid certification/re-certification (new for fall '10), networking events, online forums for education issues and policy development (including templates)
• Consultation on school management issues - providing a variety of solutions to schools that will suit every budget in governance, financial wellness, marketing, human resources and policy development
• Special OFIS rates on a growing number of services and resources that save schools time and money while protecting their investments - comprehensive general liability insurance, advertising/marketing & social networking opportunities, database management
• Regular e-news with convenient direct links to real-time issues and opportunities relevant to independent school stakeholders. Let us do the research for you and stay on the cutting edge of issues facing independent schools.
• Measurement of school management effectiveness through the OFIS School Management Review - consists of policy & documentation assessment, on-site evaluations, satisfaction surveys and comprehensive reporting complete with recommendations
• Website directory listings - member schools benefit from OFIS' search engine optimization plan, providing direct links to member school websites and forwarding inquiries from parents to member schools
• Provincial representation on independent school issues - access to all public resources, rights to reasonable self-expression, unfair government regulations, health & safety standards - working to protect the autonomy of each member school
• Be part of a growing movement! - OFIS is increasing the public profile of independent schools by being the fastest-growing, most diverse independent school association in the province - media interaction, working with other independent school associations through ISAO

OFIS Forms To Download:

Click here - Membership Application Form - 10/11 School Year (July 1st to June 30th)

Click here - OFIS Membership Fee Matrix - 10/11 School Year (July 1st to June 30th)

*New Members Submitting Complete Applications Receive 20% Discount For First Year of Membership
*Complete Membership Renewals by June 30 2010 Receive A 20% Discount
*Current Members Must Complete Re-newal Package by September 1st To Maintain Web Directories & Membership Benefits
*Membership fees are non-refundable

There's a membership level that's right for every school with plenty of flexibility in making school improvements, opportunity for discounted OFIS resources and services and increased networking opportunities. Maintain the good reputation and integrity of your school with the help of OFIS' standard setting leadership. Fees for membership levels are dependent on school size (see membership fee matrix)

$400 minimum - $4000 maximum
Schools that complete an annual Notice of Intention To Operate in Ontario and purchase general liability insurances (supply copy of insurance certificate) and complete an annual OFIS membership application and submit fees are eligible
What Schools Get - basic web listing, regular OFIS e-news, OFIS membership rates for products, resources and services, basic telephone and emal consultation access, use of OFIS brand for advertising and provincial representation of independent education matters.

There's a membership level that's right for every school with plenty of flexibility in making school improvements, opportunity for discounted OFIS resources and services and increases networking opportunities. Maintain the good reputation and integrity of your school with the help of OFIS' standard setting leadership. Fees for membership levels are dependent on school size (see membership fee matrix)

$350 minimum - $3700 maximum
Schools that meet all the standards for bronze membership and provide evidence of standardized testing or some other measure of student progress and attend annual OFIS Learning Days are eligible
What Schools Get - basic web listing with active links, regular OFIS e-news, OFIS membership rates for products, resources and services, consultation access (telephone, email, staff), use of OFIS brand for advertising and provincial representation of independent education matters

There's a membership level that's right for every school with plenty of flexibility in making school improvements, opportunity for discounted OFIS resources and services and increases networking opportunities. Maintain the good reputation and integrity of your school with the help of OFIS' standard setting leadership. Fees for membership levels are dependent on school size (see membership fee matrix)

$300 minimum - $3500 maximum
Schools that meet all the standards for bronze and silver membership and have current staff members who have completed the OFIS Independent School Principals' Course principals' course and subsequent leadership certifications are eligible
What Schools Get - basic web listing that includes active links and school summary, regular OFIS e-news, OFIS membership rates for products, resources and services, full consultation access (including site visits), use of OFIS brand for advertising and
provincial representation of independent education matters

There's a membership level that's right for every school with plenty of flexibility in making school improvements, opportunity for discounted OFIS resources and services and increases networking opportunities. Maintain the good reputation and integrity of your school with the help of OFIS' standard setting leadership. Fees for membership levels are dependent on school size (see membership fee matrix)

$250 minimum - $3300 maximum
Schools that meet all the standards for bronze, silver & gold membership and successfully complete a school management review every 5 years are eligible
What Schools Get - basic web listing that includes active links, school summary and OFIS parent referral service, regular OFIS e-news, OFIS membership rates for products, resources and services, full consultation access (including site visits and plan development), use of OFIS brand for advertising and provincial representation of independent education matters

We know that associations and educational agencies want to provide greater support to their own member schools. Because OFIS is the fastest-growing, most diverse independent school association in the province, partnerships with associations are mutually beneficial. Associations apply for membership with each school being categorized for membership at association prices (bronze, silver, gold, platinum) (see membership fee matrix)

Definition of Association - A group of schools, independently operated that are networked for purpose of service, governance or mutual educational interest

$300 Flat Fee + $3.00/FTE - $3300 maximum
What Schools And Associations Get - complete web directory listings, regular OFIS e-news, right to send delegates to OFIS Learning Conferences, access to OFIS rates on products, resources and services and receive greater provincial representation on independent education matters

• multi-staff discounts and early-bird rates for OFIS courses and events

• reduced consultation fees through hosting OFIS courses and events, mentoring other schools, providing course faculty or OFIS board members

• convenient membership and course payment plans

• Member's rates on OFIS events and courses are 50% below values

• School Management Reviews - this important operations assessment tool is available only to OFIS schools

• Policy Development Manual - An annual complete list of policies school's should develop - available only to members - available for the first time in January 2010!

Vision - To provide visible, standard-setting leadership to member independent schools that advocates for justice, choice, and equal opportunity in education for all children

Goals - OFIS exists to:
a) connect independent schools in a network that shares resources, provides professional development for school leaders, offers administrative and policy support,
b) advocate for access to government educational resources for independent schools,
c) protect and support true parental choice in education by providing public information and ensuring independent schools' right to reasonable self-definition,
d) encourage public awareness and appreciation for independent schools' contributions to province-wide educational landscape by promoting standard-setting leadership in member schools

Core Values – Membership in OFIS is open to all schools, educational associations and individuals who agree with and support true parental choice in education and desire to develop integrity through standard-setting leadership in schools, and so covenant to undertake and actively work towards the following core values:

1. We value the importance of providing transparent vision, mission & values, supported by an educational philosophy and objectives.

2. We value the importance of hiring proven and qualified instructors and administrators, who agree to uphold and deliver upon the school's stated vision, mission & values promised to families and students.

3. We value diversity in published and applied policies with respect to race, colour, creed, ethnicity and ability.

4. We value open disclosure and implementation of clearly developed, published policies and procedures on all school operational issues including admissions, education standards, student assessment, human resources, evaluation & reporting practices, sound financial practices, withdrawal, suspension & expulsion.

5. We value effective classroom management strategies, orderly curricular scope & sequence planning and accurate record keeping resulting in on-going improvement in student knowledge, ability and achievement.

6. We value sound administrative and personnel management practices, which include strategic planning, policy development, clearly defined job descriptions, performance-based job reviews and professional development.

7. We value financial accountability through sound financial practices, prudent financial management, transparent budget preparation and reporting practices and short and long-term financial planning.

8. We value ethical conduct through fair business practices, clear and published school policies & procedures about expectations of all members of school communities (staff, parents, teachers, students, donors).

9. We value legal compliance through knowledge of, and adherence to, all applicable municipal, regional, provincial and federal legislation and regulations, ensuring an orderly, purposeful, and safe school environment.

10. We value a cooperative spirit through a demonstrated acceptance of, respect for, and a practiced commitment to fellow independent education providers in OFIS and beyond.