The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1921.
The Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools (WCRIS) is a nonprofit organization that represents private, religious, and independent schools in Wisconsin. It serves as an advocacy group, providing support, resources, and guidance to member schools while working to protect their rights and interests at the state and national levels.
WCRIS represents a broad spectrum of nonpublic schools, including Catholic, Lutheran (including WELS and LCMS schools), Christian, Jewish, and independent institutions. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that nonpublic schools remain a strong and viable option for families in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority (WHEFA): Established by the Wisconsin State Legislature in 1973, WHEFA assists nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin by providing access to low-cost, tax-exempt financing for capital improvement and expansion projects. Since 1979, WHEFA has completed over 980 financings exceeding $32 billion, supporting borrowers in more than 175 cities across Wisconsin. These efforts have facilitated the creation of numerous jobs and have significantly contributed to the state’s economic development.
The National Federation of Nonpublic School State Accrediting Associations (NFNSSAA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1984 that serves as a coalition of state accrediting associations for nonpublic schools across the United States. Its mission is to enhance the quality of education in nonpublic schools through accountability, educational standards, and membership criteria.
One of its member organizations is WRISA (Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools Accreditation), which accredits private, religious, and independent schools in Wisconsin. WRISA, along with other state accrediting bodies, works under NFNSSAA to ensure that schools meet rigorous academic and operational standards.
By fostering collaboration among state accrediting associations, NFNSSAA provides national recognition to schools that meet the accreditation standards of their respective state chapters, helping to maintain high educational quality and accountability across nonpublic schools in the U.S.