AISNE On Tour: Town Academy Leaders

Town academies face unique challenges and opportunities. We invite leaders of our region’s town academies to come together with AISNE for a day of networking, discussion, and exploration. We will hold conversations and presentations on best practices in financial sustainability, fundraising, admissions, special education, and faculty engagement. Our host school, Pinkerton Academy, will offer a tour of their campus to show us what makes their program unique. And we will break bread together and enjoy the company of like-minded education leaders.

Register

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 – Thursday, April 10, 2025 

Pinkerton Academy
5 Pinkerton Street
Derry, NH 03038

This event is meant for Heads of town academies and an additional leader from the school. Tickets are priced 2-for-1.

AISNE Members: $120 ($60/person)
Non-Members: $160 ($80/person)

REGISTER HERE

Hotel

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

Agenda at a Glance

Wednesday, April 9

• 6:00 PM | Cocktails & Dinner at Tuscan Kitchen (Salem, NH)

Thursday, April 10

• 8:30 – 9:30 AM | Welcome & Introductions
• 9:30 – 10:15 AM | Shifting Mindsets: Faculty Engagement in a Town Academy Setting
• 10:30 – 11:15 AM | Navigating Town Academy Special Education Programs: Best Practices and Insights
• 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM | School Tour
• 12:15 – 1:15 PM | Lunch & Discussion: Unique Demands, Opportunities, and Challenges for Town Academy Leaders
• 1:15 – 2:00 PM | Navigating Financial Sustainability and Fundraising for Town Academies
• 2:15 – 3:00 PM | Exploring the Evolving Admissions Landscape for Town Academies
• 3:00 – 3:30 PM | Closing Thoughts & Farewell

Agenda

Wednesday, April 9 at Tuscan Kitchen in Salem, NH

6:00 PM | Cocktails & Dinner
We’ll kick off with a group dinner and drinks at Tuscan Kitchen, hosted by AISNE’s Executive Director, Sara Wilson. This is a time for reconnecting with colleagues, meeting new friends, and getting in the mindset for our day at Pinkerton Academy on Thursday.

Thursday, April 10 at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, NH

9:30 – 10:15 AM | Shifting Mindsets: Faculty Engagement in a Town Academy Setting
This discussion will explore the distinct challenges and opportunities that arise when educators from a public school or union orientation transition to an independent school town academy setting. We’ll explore strategies for fostering a positive, collaborative mindset, addressing potential tensions, and navigating the cultural differences between faculty expectations and independent school work environments. 

10:30 – 11:15 AM | Navigating Town Academy Special Education Programs: Best Practices and Insights
This discussion will focus on the special education programs offered at several town academies. We’ll learn about unique approaches and best practices for supporting students with diverse learning needs in a Town Academy environment, including the structure and philosophy behind different schools’ special education programs and how they provide tailored interventions, individualized learning plans, and strategies for fostering an inclusive school culture. 

11:15 AM – 1:15 PM | School Tour, Lunch, and Discussion
Tim Powers, Head of Pinkerton Academy, will take us on a tour and show us some of the unique features of the school. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch and hold space for a discussion of the singular model of the town academy. This is a time to reflect on the unique demands, opportunities, and challenges of the TA structure and share success stories, resources, and ideas with each other.

1:15 – 2:00 PM | Navigating Financial Sustainability and Fundraising for Town Academies
Town Academies face unique pressures in achieving and sustaining financial stability and cultivating effective fundraising strategies. This discussion will explore practical approaches to overcoming funding constraints and building sustainable financial models. We’ll talk about how to navigate limited local resources, establish partnerships, and leverage innovative funding opportunities.

2:15 – 3:00 PM | Exploring the Evolving Admissions Landscape for Town Academies
Independent schools are redefining their admissions strategies to meet the demands of a diverse and dynamic educational market. This conversation will delve into the opportunities and challenges of attracting and enrolling students in a Town Academy setting, particularly in specialized programs including international student recruitment, residential offerings, and vocational-technical pathways. 

3:00 – 3:30 | Closing Thoughts & Farewell

Sponsor

Thank you to DovetailED Talent Sourcing for their generous sponsorship of this AISNE On Tour stop.

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Cancellation Policy

Cancellations and transfer requests must be sent via email to info@aisne.org. Cancellations received up to 10 days before the start of the event will receive a 100% refund, less a $100 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.

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