2026-27 New Heads of School (Years 1 – 3) Cohort

2026-27 New Heads of School (Years 1 – 3) Cohort

This leadership development cohort is for New Heads in Years 1 – 3 of AISNE Member Schools

Join experienced Heads of School as they facilitate a dynamic, multi-part virtual learning cohort designed for Heads of School in their first three years. This cohort offers a structured yet collegial space to engage with the real work of headship—grounded in the wisdom of seasoned practitioners who bring deep, lived experience to each session.

Rather than traditional presentation-style learning, each session is led by experienced heads who share practical insights, facilitate honest dialogue, and surface the complexities, tensions, and opportunities inherent in school leadership. You will have the opportunity to learn from those who have navigated similar challenges, while also building meaningful connections with peers who are walking parallel paths in their own headship journeys.

Across the year, the cohort fosters a trusted professional community where reflection, vulnerability, and problem-solving are encouraged. Through shared inquiry, case-based discussion, and facilitated conversation, you will strengthen your leadership capacity, expand your strategic thinking, and deepen your sense of purpose and sustainability in the role.

This program is designed not only to build individual leadership skills but also to cultivate a network of support and collective wisdom that extends beyond the cohort sessions and into the ongoing work of school leadership.

Dates 

This program includes nine virtual Zoom sessions and one in-person meeting at the 2027 Heads of School Retreat.

  • Thursday, August 20, 2026 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM
  • Thursday, October 1, 2026 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM
  • Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM
  • Thursday, December 3, 2026 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM
  • Thursday, January 7, 2027 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM
  • Thursday, January 28, 2027 (time TBD) (in Portsmouth, NH)
  • Thursday, February 4, 2027 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM
  • Thursday, March 4, 2027 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM
  • Thursday, April 1, 2027 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM
  • Thursday, May 6, 2027 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM

All meetings are presented virtually via Zoom except Thursday, January 28th which will be held in-person (Heads Retreat at Wentworth-by-the-Sea, Portsmouth, NH).

Pricing & Registration

$1498/pp AISNE Member Schools (inclusive of 2027 Heads of School Retreat)

If you have a question about this cohort, please contact us at info@aisne.org. This is a 10-part professional learning opportunity. Your registration includes 9 virtual sessions and 1 in-person session at the Heads Retreat.

We strive to create an inclusive learning environment for all. If you have any questions or accessibility needs, please contact us at info@aisne.org.

REGISTER HERE

Cohort Sessions

Session #1
Starting Strong: The First 90 Days
Facilitated by: Colin Igoe, Head of School | Long Trail School (VT) and Katie Titus, Head of School | Moses Brown School (RI)
The opening months of headship set the tone for everything that follows. This session focuses on listening before leading, building trust with key constituencies, and using early decisions to signal values, priorities, and leadership style during a period of intense visibility and learning.

Session #2
Leading Your Board Relationship
Facilitated by: Jon Bartlett, Head of School | Brookwood School (MA) and Brooke Hopkins, Head of School | Riverbend School (MA)
The head–board relationship is one of the most important and nuanced partnerships in school leadership. This session explores working effectively with your board chair, understanding governance structures, and building a strong foundation for trust, communication, and shared purpose.

Session #3
Leading Community, Partnership, and Belonging
Facilitated by: Sue Angelides, Head of School | Cambridge Montessori School (MA) and Serena Wilkie Gifford, Head of School | Birches School (MA) 
Schools are communities built on relationships across families, students, and faculty. This session examines how new heads engage caregivers, strengthen partnerships across difference, and lead with equity literacy as a daily leadership practice.

Session #4
Courageous Conversations: Leading with Clarity and Care
Facilitated by: Chuck Carter, CEO & Head of School | Beacon Academy (MA) and Renee Greenfield, Head of School | Carroll School (MA)
The conversations that most define a head’s leadership are often the most challenging. This session focuses on preparing for and leading difficult conversations with transparency, care, and accountability—while maintaining trust and repairing relationships when needed.

Session #5
Strategic Enrollment Management
Facilitated by: Eric Barber, Head of School | Walnut Hill School for the Arts (MA)
Enrollment sits at the intersection of mission, finance, and community health. This session provides a strategic lens for understanding the enrollment funnel, strengthening retention, and aligning admissions practices with institutional priorities.

Session #6 (in person at 2027 Heads of School Retreat)
Wellbeing and Sustainable Leadership
Facilitated by: Lise Charlier, Head of School | The Cambridge School of Weston (MA) and Allison Webster, Head of School | Dedham Country Day School (MA)
Headship is demanding work that requires sustained energy, reflection, and boundaries. This session focuses on practices that support wellbeing, prevent burnout, and help leaders stay grounded and effective over time.

Session #7
Legal, Safety, and Crisis Leadership
Facilitated by: Kristy Kerin, Head of School | Brewster Academy (NH) and John McVeigh, Head of School | Holderness School (NH)
Heads are responsible for leading through risk, whether planned or unexpected. This session covers foundational legal responsibilities, crisis decision-making, and building school-wide systems that support safety, clarity, and humane response under pressure.

Session #8
Building a Thriving Team: Leading Admin, Faculty, and Staff Growth
Facilitated by: Cathy Hall, Head of School | Noble and Greenough School (MA) and Scott Young, Head of School | The Park School (MA)
A school’s strength is deeply tied to the growth and development of its adults. This session explores cultivating a culture of feedback, supporting professional growth, and making thoughtful hiring and retention decisions that shape institutional health over time.

Session #9
Strategic Leadership: Planning, Advancement, and Operations
Facilitated by: Will Crissman, Head of School | Tenacre Country Day School (MA) and Sophie Lau, Head of School | Lincoln School (RI)
Strategic planning and advancement are where vision becomes resourced reality. This session explores how heads engage in long-term planning, partner with advancement teams, and steward the operational and financial structures that sustain mission.

Session #10
Reflecting on Year One and Preparing for Year Two
Facilitated by: Danielle Heard, Head of School | Nashoba Brooks School (MA)
The end of the first year offers a rare opportunity for reflection and recalibration. This session creates space to surface key lessons, unexpected challenges, and leadership growth while preparing intentionally for the demands of year two and beyond.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations and transfer requests must be sent via email to info@aisne.org. Cancellations received up to 14 days before the start of the event will receive a 100% refund, less a $150 administrative fee. Transfers of registrations from one person to another are permitted up to 3 business days before the start of the event, or the first event of a series of events.

Not an AISNE Member?

Become part of a network of more than 260 schools across New England. Enjoy opportunities for your entire school staff and faculty to connect with and learn from peers, and engage in high quality professional development. AISNE is here to support your school’s excellence and continuous improvement.

Join today or renew your membership.