About Independent Schools of St. Louis

For more than 50 years, Independent Schools of St. Louis (ISSL) has helped families confidently explore independent education across the St. Louis region. As a nonprofit association representing 44 independently governed member schools, we make it easier to discover educational opportunities from preschool through grade 12, all through a trusted, neutral resource that puts your family's needs first.

We connect families with clear information while supporting collaboration among our member schools. It's all about strengthening independent education throughout our community.

Our Mission

Independent Schools of St. Louis (ISSL) promotes awareness of independent education, fosters collaboration among member schools, and supports professional growth for educators and trustees. By bringing schools together and providing families with a trusted place to begin their search, we help more students find learning environments where they can thrive.

Why ISSL Exists

Choosing a school for your child is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make. In St. Louis, it's also one of the most overwhelming. 

The landscape is enormous. Public schools, charter schools, magnet programs, independent schools. You've got dozens of options, each one telling you they're the best fit. Plus, if you're new to the city, you're trying to sort all of this out while still acclimating to a new normal. 

Even families who've lived here for years aren't immune. Some are watching their child struggle in a school that isn't working. Others feel the anxiety of wanting to give their kid every possible advantage but not knowing where to start. Then plenty of families have ruled independent school out entirely, because they assumed it wasn't for their budget. 

At ISSL, we believe every child deserves a school where they're known and set up for success. 

We know what it feels like to stare at a list of dozens of schools and have no idea how to begin. We also know that for a lot of families, the biggest barrier isn't the schools themselves, but never finding the right starting point. 

That's why we built this. 

Since the 1970s, ISSL has been St. Louis's home for independent education. We represent 45 of the city's top independent schools, and our only job is to help families like yours find the right fit, completely free of charge. 

How We Help Families

Ready to get started on the next chapter of your child's journey? It's as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Find a School 

Browse dozens of the top independent schools in St. Louis, free of charge, all in one place. 

2. Choose the Right Fit 

Filter by location, values, and what matters most to your family. 

3. Watch Your Child Flourish 

Connect directly with the schools that feel right and start the conversation. 

We know the search can feel like a lot, so that's why we made it simpler. Because every child in St. Louis deserves a school that fits who they are, and every family deserves a trusted place to find it.

Find a School

Statement of Purpose

While families know ISSL as a trusted school search resource, our work also supports the broader independent school community throughout the St. Louis region. ISSL exists to strengthen independent education across the St. Louis region by serving both families and member schools. Together, our member schools work to:

• Help families better understand independent education through collaborative outreach and trusted resources.
• Support excellence in education by providing professional development opportunities for trustees, administrators, and faculty.
• Foster a collaborative community where member schools share ideas, solve challenges, and learn from one another with mutual respect.
• Make the school search more approachable by helping families compare a curated set of leading independent schools at no cost.