Join Us at the 2026 CAIS Annual Meeting of Heads of School

📅 June 22–24, 2026 📍 Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes

Dear Heads of School,

We're looking forward to bringing the CAIS community together this June for three days of peer learning, meaningful connection, and candid conversation—right on the California coast.

This year's program features:
• A timely update from CAPSO
• Peer-led panels and fishbowl discussions
• Unstructured time to connect with colleagues

Registration Options:
• Membership covers one Head of School per school
• Second Head of School (co-Head, incoming/outgoing): $850 early bird / $870 regular
• Guest — all meals: $850 early bird / $870 regular
• Guest — dinners only: $510 early bird / $560 regular

Two deadlines to note:
• Early bird pricing: Friday, May 22
• Hotel booking: May 29 at 5 PM (or until sold out)

*Note: This event is for Heads of School only

LCW: Student Disciplinary Process

📅 May 12 • 9:00-10:00 AM Principals, Heads, Administrators

⚠️ Contact your consortium organizer or Jessica Man - jman@lcwlegal.com

ISCA New Chair/Head of School Partnership Series

📅 July 9 & 16 • 12:00-2:00 PM ET New Chairs & Heads of School

Building a Strong Foundation for Success. This series supports new chair/head partnerships in establishing effective governance and collaborative leadership from the start.

CATDC Leadership Fellows Program (10th Anniversary Cohort)

📅 Applications Now Open Experienced Educators & Aspiring Leaders

Supports experienced educators navigating the complex and rewarding work of independent school leadership. Designed for those who are or aspire to be senior leaders and heads of school, the program offers space for personal reflection, practical skill building, and supportive professional connection.

This 10th anniversary cohort is offered in partnership with CAIS and facilitated by:
• Phil Gutierrez, incoming Executive Director of CAIS and Head of Marin Primary & Middle School
• Nisa Frank, Head of Prospect Sierra School

CAIS schools that are not yet CATDC member schools are welcome to join at the member rate.

Lick-Wilmerding Teacher Institute: Grading for Equity with Joe Feldman

📅 August 5-6 K-12 Teachers & Administrators

Join Lick-Wilmerding High School for a two-day intensive featuring Joe Feldman, author of Grading for Equity, focused on building mastery-oriented assessment practices. This professional development institute offers specialized tracks for both K-12 teachers and administrators to help educators move toward grading practices that are more accurate, bias-resistant, and motivational.

Register now to secure early bird rates and join us at LWHS for some joyful learning this summer!

GLADYS Pilot: AI with Leaders and Equity in Mind

📅 August 2026 Cohort Equity-Focused School Leaders

We're opening the GLADYS pilot to leaders who believe justice has to be felt before it can be taught—and who are ready to help build the knowledge to make it real. GLADYS is an AI-powered equity leadership co-pilot grounded in equityXdesign 3.0, designed to think with you, not at you.

Founding cohort members don't just use the tool—they shape it, and their practice becomes part of how GLADYS learns to serve equity leaders everywhere. If you're creative, committed, and ready to co-create, the August 2026 cohort is open now.

🌟 ARC Fellowship for Division Directors

📅 2026-27 School Year Division Directors & Leaders

AUTHENTICITY. RENEWAL. CONNECTION.
A YEAR-LONG LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE

Independent school division leaders are at the heart of our educational excellence—yet they rarely have the space to pause, connect with themselves, and reimagine how to lead from a place of purpose. The ARC Fellowship offers exactly that: a year-long immersion in authentic leadership development, deep peer connection, and personal renewal.

This transformative program creates a supportive cohort where division leaders can step back from daily demands to explore their leadership identity, build sustainable practices, and develop the inner resources needed to lead with clarity and purpose.

💡 Applications opening soon for the 2026-27 cohort

📚 NJAIS Online Learning Courses

📅 Self-Paced Online Board Members & School Leaders

As an affiliate member of NJAIS, CAIS is now able to offer our members access to NJAIS's online learning courses at a significantly discounted rate.

The following four courses are currently available. Each is offered online and asynchronously, allowing you to complete them at your own pace:

Board Development and Evaluation
This online, asynchronous course provides strategies for building effective governance practices, strengthening board performance through ongoing education and practice, and implementing systematic approaches to assess and enhance board effectiveness.

Financial Literacy for Board Members
This online, asynchronous course equips trustees with the knowledge and skills to interpret financial statements, understand key indicators of institutional health, and make informed decisions that support the school's fiscal sustainability and strategic priorities.

Risk Management
This online, asynchronous course outlines the board's role in identifying, assessing, and mitigating strategic, financial, operational, and reputational risks to ensure the long-term stability and integrity of the institution. A special focus on fundraising is integrated.

Mergers and Acquisitions for Independent Schools
This online, asynchronous course provides board members with the core considerations involved in school consolidations, outlining why schools may wish to merge, alternatives to merger, as well as best practices for board members and the Head of School, alignment in governance and culture, mission continuity, and more.

💡 CAIS members receive significantly discounted rates