850-222-3803

ABOUT FAANS

Established in 1979, the Florida Association of Academic Nonpublic Schools (FAANS) is comprised of 22 member associations, 15 of which are recognized “Accrediting Member” associations. FAANS members represent approximately 1,300 Florida nonpublic schools with more than 300,000 students. FAANS represents all of the major faith-based and non- sectarian accrediting agencies as well as non-accrediting organizations operating in Florida, encompassing the vast majority of the nonpublic schools within Florida’s 67 Counties.

While FAANS does NOT accredit individual schools, the Association leads the way in establishing the highest standard and expectations for approved agencies accrediting schools in the state of Florida.

FAANS serves as a vital link between nonpublic schools and the Florida Legislature,  Florida Department of Education, as well as other government departments, and nonpublic school support services such as Florida High School Athletic Association and scholarship-funding organization. FAANS is the conduit for information related to nonpublic school education for parents, media, national school organizations, and government agencies in Florida and beyond.

Additionally, FAANS is the Florida Council for American Private Education (CAPE) representative in Washington, D.C.

A major function of FAANS is monitoring local, state, and national legislation impacting nonpublic schools. In state issues, FAANS provides members of the Florida Legislature with information about nonpublic education in Florida as well as nonpublic school viewpoints on current and pending legislation that might affect the private sector.

On many issues FAANS speaks for all of its member organizations. Due to the diversity of the associations within its membership, however, there are occasions when differing philosophies are honored and where a consensus is not attainable. At such times, any member organization may take a public stand that differs from that of other FAANS member organizations.

While there is diversity of opinion and philosophy among the many member organizations of FAANS, in most situations FAANS speaks for the consensus of its member organizations. FAANS is governed by a Board of Directors, comprised of one representative from each member organization, and is lead by an executive committee elected from the Board membership. FAANS meets at stated times each year to conduct its business according to the policies established in its by-laws.

All FAANS organizations must have a racially nondiscriminatory membership policy in compliance with USC 2000d, subscribe to the organization’s Code of Ethics, and be approved by the Board of Directors for membership. Accrediting member organizations are approved on the basis of a careful appraisal of each organization’s accreditation standards and processes, sponsorship by at least two FAANS member organizations, a site visit during one of the organization’s regular accrediting visits to one of its schools, and a majority vote of support by the Board of Directors. Each accrediting association is examined every five years for continued membership as an accrediting member.

FAANS represents the interests of its members with the Florida Legislature, the Florida Governor’s Office and Florida State Agencies. It ensures that Florida’s nonpublic schools are represented in all issues that impact or potentially could impact their welfare and their services to students.  

FAANS Legislative Services include:

  • Monitor potential bills that may impact its membership.
  • Provide information on legislative issues.
  • Maintain regular dialogue with the Offices of the Florida House and Senate, the Florida Department of Education, the Department of Children and Families, the Agency for Workforce Innovation and the Florida High School Athletic Association. 
  • Work closely with the Office for Independent Education and Parental Choice within the Florida Department of Education.
  • Provide members for various Legislative appointed committees, committees formed by the various State agencies, and to various committees of the Florida High School Athletic Association.

Each member organization must subscribe to the Code of Ethics, and in so doing it expresses its willingness to be guided by the principles and standards contained in the Code. The Code establishes a framework upon which the FAANS member organizations work with each other in an environment of integrity and trust. Each organization subscribes to the Code of Ethics annually. Because FAANS does not, by intent or policy, oversee the operations of its individual member organizations, compliance by individual members and schools is the responsibility of each organization.

Each FAANS member organization agrees to:

    1. Accept the statement of mission and the goals and purposes of FAANS as stated in the FAANS Charter.
    2. Participate, with regularity, in the FAANS meetings and take an active and equitable part in discussions, issues, and responsibilities.
    3. Have or establish its own standards and code of ethics to which each member school must subscribe.
    4. Assume an equitable part in supporting and meeting the needs of all nonpublic schools in the state, and willingly help to protect the rights and interests of nonpublic schools from unwarranted, unfair, and/or discriminatory regulations by local, state, or federal agencies.
    5. Oversee its member schools to insure compliance with state laws in regard to reporting, attendance, health, safety, and sanitation.
    6. Insure that each member school provides facilities, staff, structure, and programs adequate to fulfill the mission and purpose of that school.
    7. Assist member schools in maintaining institutional integrity to include advertising, finances, curricular and extracurricular programs, student recruitment and transfers, academic policies and procedures, and the treatment of parent or student complaints.
    8. Insure that its member schools do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin.
    9. Assist member schools in providing equitable access to available scholarship funds and in establishing policies that administer such funds by defensible criteria.
    10. Encourage member schools to maintain standards of good sportsmanship and fair competition and to discourage the recruitment of student athletes.
    11. Develop, if desired and as needs indicate, a set of evaluative criteria for school accreditation and seek to meet the standards established by FAANS for accrediting associations.
    12. Keep its constituency apprised of issues and concerns that May affect nonpublic schools, and solicit their voices on issues that are of concern to them.
    13. Pay dues and assessments in a timely manner.
    14. Communicate openly and honestly with the FAANS membership on issues that affect nonpublic schools, the FAANS organization, and the schools represented by its Membership.
    15. Will not use the FAANS name on school letterhead.

FAANS Members meet a minimum of two times per year. Typically, the Fall Meeting takes place in Orlando and the Spring Meeting takes place in Tallahassee. Dates, location and Agendas are e-mailed to all members in advance.

In order to maintain active membership in FAANS, an authorized Representative of all member organizations must attend both meetings each year.

Executive Board

Mary Camp

President

Florida Catholic Conference
201 West Park Avenue
Tallahassee, FL 32301-7715
Ph: (850) 224-7906
mcamp@flacathconf.org

Stephanie Massey

Vice-President

Episcopal Diocese
400 San Juan Drive
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Ph: (904) 285-6371
smassey@preschoolcec.org 

Terry Logan

Secretary

Independent Schools of South Florida
200 N.W. 109 Ave 
Miami, FL 33172 
Ph: (305) 962-0299 
executivedirector@issfschools.org

LuAnne Schendel

Treasurer

CSF Legislative Affairs Director
PO Box 1764
Crystal River, FL 33308
407-252-4186
luanne.g.schendel@gmail.com

LuAnne Schendel

Immediate Past President

Legislative Affairs Director
PO Box 1764
Crystal River, FL 33308
407-252-4186
luanne.g.schendel@gmail.com

The Executive Officers of FAANS provide leadership and serve to represent the interests of its members. Officers are responsible for Meeting Minutes, Financial Reports, and communication with representatives from the DOE and FAANS Committee Chairs. A President, Immediate Past-President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer serve as the Executive Officers of FAANS.

Legislative Services

FAANS represents the interests of its members with the Florida Legislature, the Florida Governor’s Office and Florida State Agencies. It ensures that Florida’s nonpublic schools are represented in all issues that impact or potentially could impact their welfare and their services to students.  

FAANS Legislative Services include:

  • Monitor potential bills that may impact its membership.
  • Provide information on legislative issues.
  • Maintain regular dialogue with the Offices of the Florida House and Senate, the Florida Department of Education, the Department of Children and Families, the Agency for Workforce Innovation and the Florida High School Athletic Association.
  • Work closely with the Office for Independent Education and Parental Choice within the Florida Department of Education.
  • Provide members for various Legislative appointed committees, committees formed by the various State agencies, and to various committees of the Florida High School Athletic Association.

FAANS is included in Florida State statutes to provide standards for its member organizations to participate in Florida’s Gold Seal Program and the Florida Voluntary Pre-kindergarten Program (VPK). These standards are developed in close affiliation with the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA).