Andy Anderson, Managing Partner of The Independent Small Programs Alliance (ISPA), announced that the Strategic Business Partnership has been joined by five new member/partners. This rapid increase in membership is an indication of ISPA's growing influence among small to medium sized programs and schools.

• Gersh Academy/Gersh Experience of New York


• The University of Miami Online High School of Florida


• RedCliff Ascent of Utah


• The Discovery School of Virginia


• Waterfall Canyon Academy of Utah

The total membership of ISPA now includes: New Lifestyles located in Winchester, VA, Building Bridges, Inc. located in Thompson Falls, MT, The Oliverian/Becket Schools located in Pike, NH, F.L. Chamberlain School located in Middleboro, MA, 7 Arrows Academy located in Tallahassee, FL, Alpine Academy located in Salt Lake City, UT, Grove School located in Madison, CT, Right Way Academy located in Waynesburg, PA, Timpanogos Family Services located in Orem Utah, Gersh Academy/Gersh Experience located in Melville, NY, The University of Miami Online High School located in Weston, FL, The Discovery School of Virginia located in Dilwyn, VA and RedCliff Ascent located in Springville, UT and Waterfall Canyon Academy of Ogden, UT.

ISPA has been in operation since March of 2005 and is a strategic business partnership of Andy Anderson Consulting (AAC) of Clearwater, Florida.

• Mission:
  

  The independent Small Programs Alliance (ISPA) will provide strategic partnerships and leadership for independent small programs seeking to maximize marketability, differentiation, market share, program recognition, industry stability and strength, ethical boundaries and quality service provision to families, young people and referral sources.

When asked about the rapid growth in the last quarter of 2006 Anderson stated, "ISPA offers a venue for independent programs to compete with both large, well financed programs and conglomerates as well as an ever increasing number of new independent programs. In this constantly growing mix, independent programs stand-alone unless they have a vehicle to show high quality, differentiation, value and the ability to compete."

Anderson stated, "ISPA gives added depth, added marketability and the synergy needed for independent programs to strengthen and grow. Programs have watched us and although ISPA members compete with one another, competition is a good thing. The playing field is becoming much more level. Alliances are, and have been for some time, a global trend. There is strength in numbers."