School Membership

School Membership: Benefits & Services

ACISC school membership connects eligible international schools with a wider professional community and provides access to resources, services, relationships, and opportunities that support international education.

Membership is designed to complement the work of school leaders, educators, counsellors, and other professionals while supporting institutional development, professional learning, international connections, and student opportunities.

Explore Membership Benefits Membership Standards

Membership Value

A Professional Community for International Schools

Membership provides a structured connection to ACISC’s wider international education community. The value of membership extends beyond a single service: it can support professional relationships, access to resources, institutional development, student connections, and engagement with other education professionals.

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Resources & Knowledge

Access resources, information, professional learning opportunities, and knowledge developed around the needs of international education.

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International Connections

Develop relationships with higher education institutions and other organizations involved in international education.

For School Leaders

Support for Institutional Development

International schools operate in complex educational environments. Membership can provide access to professional resources and relationships that complement the school’s own leadership, planning, and development activities.

Institutional Knowledge

Engage with information, professional perspectives, and resources relevant to international education and school development.

Professional Exchange

Learn from colleagues and participate in conversations around current challenges, opportunities, and practices in international education.

Strategic Development

Use relevant resources and professional connections to inform institutional priorities and longer-term school development.

Membership does not replace the school’s own leadership responsibilities, governance, legal obligations, or quality-assurance processes. Schools remain responsible for their institutional decisions and compliance with applicable requirements.

Explore the ACISC School Membership Standards and resources for schools.

Professional Learning

Learn, Connect & Develop

Professional development is an important part of a strong international education community. ACISC services provide opportunities for members to engage with professional knowledge, colleagues, and topics relevant to their work.

Professional Development

Explore professional learning and development opportunities relevant to educators and international education professionals.

Networking

Build professional relationships with colleagues working across international schools and higher education.

Knowledge Exchange

Share perspectives, learn from peers, and remain engaged with developments affecting international education.

International Perspective

Engage with colleagues and resources reflecting the diverse contexts in which international education takes place.

Student Support

Explore resources and services relating to student well-being, protection, educational transitions, and higher education planning.

Institutional Practice

Connect professional learning with the school’s wider responsibilities for educational quality and continuous improvement.

Professional Development & Networking

University Connections

Connect Students With Higher Education Opportunities

One of the practical benefits of participating in an international education community is the opportunity to help students explore higher education options beyond their immediate location.

University Guidance

ACISC’s University Guidance service facilitates connections between guidance or university counsellors and international university admissions professionals.

This can support conversations around international higher education opportunities and student transition from school to university.

University Guidance

Schools and counsellors can also explore University Fairs & Tours and connections with universities seeking international students.

Student-Focused Services

Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom

Membership-related services extend into areas that matter to students and families as they navigate international education, higher education planning, well-being, and changing educational circumstances.

University Planning

Help students research higher education options, understand admissions pathways, and consider destinations and programmes that fit their goals.

Student Resources

Student Well-Being

Access information and resources addressing mental health, well-being, safeguarding, and student protection.

Student Well-Being

Child Protection

Explore safeguarding resources covering policies, responsibilities, safer recruitment, reporting, training, and institutional practice.

Student Protection

These resources complement the school’s own policies, procedures, professional responsibilities, and applicable legal requirements.

International Education

Developing Global Citizenship

ACISC places global citizenship within its broader approach to international education. For schools, this can involve helping students develop intercultural understanding, awareness of different perspectives, ethical responsibility, communication skills, and constructive engagement with diverse communities.

Intercultural Understanding

Encourage students to understand and engage respectfully with people whose experiences, cultures, and perspectives differ from their own.

Global Awareness

Help students consider local and international issues through informed, critical, and multiple perspectives.

Responsible Participation

Support students in developing the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed for responsible participation in their communities.

Educational Practice

Connect global citizenship with the school’s educational purpose and actual learning experiences rather than treating it only as a promotional concept.

Explore Global Citizenship

Membership & Accreditation

Membership Is Not Accreditation

School membership and institutional accreditation are separate activities with different purposes. Membership provides participation in the ACISC community and access to applicable services and resources. Accreditation is a structured quality-assurance process involving standards, evidence, evaluation, review, and formal decision-making.

Membership

Connects eligible schools with ACISC’s professional community and applicable member services, resources, and opportunities.

Accreditation Eligibility

Eligibility to pursue accreditation is a separate determination and does not itself mean that an institution is accredited.

Accreditation

Provides a structured framework for institutional evaluation, evidence, external review, decision-making, and continuous improvement.

Schools considering accreditation should begin with the determination of eligibility, review the framework and protocol, and understand the accreditation cycle.

Learn About International Accreditation

Membership Pathway

How to Explore School Membership

Schools interested in participating should first understand the purpose and standards of ACISC membership and then review the current application information.

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Understand Membership

Review what school membership means and how it differs from accreditation.

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Review Standards

Consider the applicable ACISC membership standards and the school’s ability to meet them.

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Review Fees

Review the current membership fee structure and any applicable service or visit costs.

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Apply

Complete the applicable membership application process using current ACISC requirements.

Review School Membership Standards and view current membership fees.

Explore School Membership

Resources for Your Next Step

School Membership Standards

Understand the standards and expectations associated with ACISC school membership.

Membership Standards

Membership Fees

Review the current annual school membership fee structure and additional applicable services.

Membership Fees

Accreditation Fees

Understand the separate fee structure applicable to schools participating in ACISC International Accreditation.

Accreditation Fees

For Schools

Explore the broader ACISC resources and pathways available to international schools.

For Schools

Professional Development

Explore learning and networking opportunities relevant to international education professionals.

Professional Development

University Guidance

Connect school guidance professionals and students with international higher education opportunities.

University Guidance

For International Schools

Make Membership Work for Your School

ACISC school membership can provide a practical connection to professional resources, international education relationships, student opportunities, and a wider community of schools and higher education professionals.

Start by understanding the membership standards, reviewing the applicable fees, and identifying the services most relevant to your school’s priorities.

Explore School Membership View Membership Fees Contact ACISC