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>> OUR AGENDA
Schedule subject to change. Please check back regularly for updates. All times are in Pacific Time. Mainstage and Breakout sessions will be recorded. Videos will be provided after the event.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14
| Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 PM-8:00 PM | Opening Reception Location: Grand Ballroom A | |
| 7:00 PM-9:00 PM | Leadership Journeys with Big Picture Learning Location: Imperial Room B | A DJ-fueled, multi-media celebration where proximate leaders in education drop their guard, turn up the honesty, and share the raw stories behind their leadership. Set to a live DJ soundtrack, this experience is about beats, wisdom, and real talk—because leadership isn’t just about the wins, it’s about the journey. Storytellers Chong-Hao Fu, Leading Educators Heather Harding, Education Leaders of Color Karla Vigil, Equity Institute Limited capacity. Get Your Tickets! |
THURSDAY, MAY 15
| Activity | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 AM-9:00 AM | Breakfast Location: Grand Ballroom A | |
| 9:00 AM-9:05 AM | Welcome Location: Grand Ballroom B | |
| 9:05 AM-9:20 AM | Special Performance Location: Grand Ballroom B | Experience the power of hip-hop, history, and human connection in a series of performances by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, creators of Mexodus. This groundbreaking show reimagines the Underground Railroad — not heading north, but south to Mexico — through live-looped music and storytelling. We’re bringing this special adaptation to Summit to remind us what’s possible when we connect students to history in ways that feel relevant and alive — and when we embrace our own creativity and radical imagination to build what comes next. Brian and Nygel will invite us into their world, share pivotal moments from the story, and leave us with a final message that’s as urgent as it is unforgettable — all delivered with heart, humor, and energy. |
| 9:20 AM-9:35 AM | CEO Address Location: Grand Ballroom B | Frances Messano, CEO, NewSchools Venture Fund |
| 9:35 AM-10:30 AM | Opening Plenary Location: Grand Ballroom B | Leading with Courage in Uncertain Times What does it mean to lead with courage when the stakes are high and the path forward is anything but clear? Hear from leaders who are navigating deep tensions and making hard choices — all while staying rooted in their values and accountable to the communities they serve. Together, they confront a question many are quietly asking: Who would choose to lead right now? – and make the case for why it’s more important than ever that they do. Frances Messano, CEO, NewSchools Venture Fund Aaliyah Samuel, President and CEO, CASEL: Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning Skye Perryman, President and CEO, Democracy Forward |
| 10:30 AM-10:45 AM | Break | |
| Breakout Sessions | ||
| 10:45 AM-11:45 AM | Breakout Sessions - Round 1 Location: Imperial A | The Opportunity Makers: Lessons from Trajectory-Changing Schools How do schools turbocharge the futures of students who are academically behind, even with shrinking budgets, shifting policies, and the pressure of falling test scores? This conversation reveals the powerful practices of trajectory-changing schools that help students catch up and make more than a year’s worth of progress each year. Learn how these schools lay a strong academic foundation and navigate tough conditions to prepare students for success in school and in life. Victoria Barajas, Principal, Tucson Unified Schools Renee Nicothodes, Chief Academic Officer, JeffCo Public Schools Alexa Sorden, Founding Principal, Leaders of Excellence, Advocacy, and Discovery Kristin Walker Burt, Partner, TNTP |
| Breakout Sessions - Round 1 Location: Imperial B | AI is Here. How Do We Get Schools Ready? As GenAI reshapes industries, its potential in education remains largely untapped, with few school systems fully embracing its capabilities. What does it take to overcome barriers to adoption in K-12 schools? In this session, AI experts and education leaders share what's happening on the ground and what's needed for schools to confidently integrate AI to enhance teaching, learning, and operations. Bree Dusseault, Principal and Managing Director, Center on Reinventing Public Education Oliver Sicat, CEO, Ednovate Angel Rivera, Superintendent, Mesquite Independent School District Aaron Cuny, Founder and CEO, AI for Equity |
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| Breakout Sessions - Round 1 Location: Franciscan A-C | The Bold Promise of Shared Power: How a Community, District, and Philanthropy Built a New Vision for Student Success In South San Francisco, a diverse coalition of parents, educators, students, and community leaders came together to co-design a vision for student success. With the Bay Ed Fund supporting the coalition and reimagining the role philanthropy can play, the group engaged over 6,100 local leaders to develop a Portrait of a Graduate, a bold vision and strategic plan that defines the skills students need to thrive as adults. Join this session to hear from South San Francisco leaders about their experience and learn more about how collective leadership, a shared vision, and sustained focus can bring stakeholders together to drive real, lasting change for students. Ash Solar, Co-Founder and Partner, Bay Ed Fund Dr. Shawnterra Moore, Superintendent, South San Francisco Unified School District Alma Ruiz Soto, Parent and Alumni, South San Francisco Unified School District Kelly Duncan, Teacher, South San Francisco Unified School District |
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| Breakout Sessions - Round 1 Location: Yosemite A-B | Reading Scores Are Falling. These Solutions Deliver. Students are falling further behind in reading, but research-driven solutions are bucking the trend. Come hear from leaders advancing evidence-based innovations that are helping students build strong foundational skills and become confident readers. We’ll explore how these teams are achieving breakthrough results and scaling what works. Rebecca Kockler, Founder and CEO, Magpie Learning Michelle Brown, Founder and CEO, CommonLit Rahul Kalita, Co-Founder, Tutored by Teachers Cameron White, Senior Partner, NewSchools |
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| 11:45 AM-1:00 PM | General Lunch Location: Grand Ballroom A - Exclusive Book Talk + Lunch Location: Yosemite C | Exclusive Book Talk + Lunch: Join a small-group conversation with one of our featured authors during lunch. These informal discussions are a chance to explore bold ideas that reflect this year’s theme: Courage to Lead. Commitment to Deliver. Books will be provided for attendees. Space is limited. Sign up here. Antoinette Banks, Founder & CEO, Expert IEP: Better Than A Diagnosis: A Single Parent's Guide to Autism Aylon Samouha, CEO, Transcend: Extraordinary Learning For All Toni Barton, Founder & President, Spelligent: Six Principles of Building a Truly Inclusive School: A Call to Action for K-12 Leaders Stephen McClain, Partner, The Management Center: Management In A Changing World: How to Manage for Equity, Sustainability, and Results Isabelle Hau, Executive Director, Stanford Accelerator for Learning: Love to Learn: The Transformative Power of Care and Connection in Early Education |
| 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM | Special Breakout Session Location: Imperial A | Communicating Strategically in Complicated Times + Lunch What does it look like to communicate strategically in a noisy, strange time? How do you protect your organization and your values when both may be under threat? Two veterans of the Obama Administration, who co-lead Be Clear communications, will lay out how to plan for challenging moments — and how to respond if they come. Jonathan Schorr, Founding Partner, Be Clear Caroline Stevens, Founding Partner, Be Clear |
| 1:00 PM-2:00 PM | Breakout Sessions - Round 2 Location: Imperial A | Opening New Public Schools: Is This Still the Right Move? With student enrollment declining in many areas, opening new schools might seem counterintuitive. But demand for high-quality education hasn’t disappeared — if anything, it’s growing. So how do we strike the right balance? This conversation explores the tension between new school creation and school closure, challenges assumptions about where new schools are needed, and unpacks how education leaders can ensure more students gain access to excellent schools, even in a time of contraction. Robbyn Wahby, Executive Director, Missouri Charter Public School Commission Lydia Hoffman, CEO, Colorado Schools Fund Adrian Bustillos, Chief Transformation Officer, Aldine Independent School District Alyssa Whitehead-Bust, Co-Founder, Attuned Education Partners |
| Breakout Sessions - Round 2 Location: Imperial B | Gen Z Educators Speak: What Schools Must Do Differently Gen Z educators are entering the workforce with new expectations about what makes teaching a sustainable and rewarding profession. Are schools ready to adapt? Hear fresh insights from a new survey of Gen Z educators and firsthand accounts of what must change to attract, retain, and empower the next generation of educators. Evan Stone, CEO, Educators for Excellence Jada Watson, Teacher, Chicago Public Schools Marsela Rashidy, Teacher, New Haven Public Schools Alexis Aguilar, Teacher, The Mission Preparatory School |
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| Breakout Sessions - Round 2 Location: Franciscan Ballrooms A-C | The Comeback Class: Districts Leading the Academic Recovery While many districts are still struggling to accelerate learning outcomes, some have made significant progress. In this session, you’ll hear from district leaders who are helping students rebound — and even surpass — pre-pandemic performance levels. They’ll share the bold strategies and targeted interventions driving results in their communities. Harvard researcher Thomas Kane will set the stage with national data on recovery trends, offering a powerful backdrop for these stories of progress and possibility. Thomas Kane, Professor of Education and Economics, Harvard University Christina Grant, Executive Director, The Center for Education Policy Research, Harvard University Mark Sullivan, Superintendent, Birmingham City Schools Darin Brawley, Superintendent, Compton Unified School District |
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| Breakout Sessions - Round 2 Location: Yosemite A-B | Inside Louisiana’s Winning Strategy for Students with Disabilities Academic outcomes for students with disabilities have been declining for years, but Louisiana is turning that around. What’s behind the state’s recent gains on NAEP? Hear directly from the leaders who made it happen, learn what they did differently, and leave knowing how to better support students with learning differences, while improving outcomes for all students. Kristi-Jo Preston, Managing Director, Watershed Dana Talley, former Chief Academic Officer, Lincoln Parish School District, now School Support Specialist, Caddo Parish Tiffany Curry Young, Principal, Dubach Elementary School Jessi Brunken, CEO, Blue Engine |
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| 2:00 PM-2:15 PM | Break | |
| 2:15 PM-3:15 PM | Breakout Sessions - Round 3 Location: Imperial A | The First Year Playbook: What Successful Charter Schools Get Right A school’s first year can make or break its future. So what separates those that thrive from those that struggle? In this session, charter school leaders share hard-earned lessons from an extraordinary first year — what worked, what they’d do differently, and the strategies that set them on the path to success. Dermoth Mattison, Founder, South Shore Charter School Natalie Smith, Founder, Global Citizens Stacey Wang, Chief Executive Officer, Yu Ming Charter School Mia Howard, Managing Partner, NewSchools |
| Breakout Sessions - Round 3 Location: Imperial B | The State of the American Student — In Their Own Words Adults spend a lot of time debating what school should look like — but too often, without asking the students living it every day. In this candid, student-led conversation, high schoolers share what’s really on their minds: what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change so learning feels meaningful, relevant, and prepares them for the future. Hear directly from students about what it takes to create schools that truly work for them. Lydia Burns, Youth & Community Partnerships Manager, Seek Common Ground Georgie Farmer, student, Kentucky Luisa Sanchez, student, Kentucky Michael Cleto, student, Rhode Island Luke Lippitt, student, New York |
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| Breakout Sessions - Round 3 Location: Franciscan Ballrooms A-C | Strategic Collaboration: When Mergers Make Sense Mergers and acquisitions in education nonprofits and schools are often seen as a sign of struggle — but what if, in the right situations, they were recognized as bold strategies for greater impact? We will explore how strategic collaboration can strengthen missions, build enduring organizations, and support lasting transformation. Rebecca Gifford Goldberg, Managing Partner, Bellwether Dominique Lee, CEO, BRICK Network Lacey Robinson, President and CEO, UnboundED Nicola Fleischer James, Co-Founder and Board Member, edwell |
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| Breakout Sessions - Round 3 Location: Yosemite A-B | A Better Way to Teach Math. No More Guesswork. The science of reading has sparked widespread alignment on effective policies and teaching strategies. But when it comes to math, consensus is harder to find. What are the most effective strategies for teaching foundational math concepts? What should state leaders prioritize to build strong math foundations for students, and how should edtech leaders pivot accordingly? And, how can we boost student motivation while reducing math anxiety? A panel of leading math experts discusses the current landscape of math education in America, including what’s working, what’s not, and how we can finally equip students with the math skills they need to succeed. Arun Ramanathan, CEO, PowerMyLearning Latrenda Knighten, President, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Jennifer Alexander, Executive Director, PIE Network Kristin Umland, President, Illustrative Mathematics John Scianimanico, Associate Partner, NewSchools Venture Fund |
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| 3:15 PM-3:30 PM | Break | |
| 3:30 PM-3:40 PM | Activate Talks Location: Grand Ballroom B | Trenace Dorsey-Hollins, Founder and Executive Director, Parent Shield Fort Worth |
| 3:40 PM-4:30 PM | Afternoon Plenary Location: Grand Ballroom B | Can States Save Public Education? With growing uncertainty in Washington, state leaders can’t afford to wait. The future of public education — and trust in our institutions — may depend on what they do next. In this conversation, experienced state leaders explore how to lead with courage, stay accountable to communities, and focus on what works for students who are furthest from opportunity. Kunjan Narechania, CEO, Watershed Advisors (moderator) John White, CEO, Great Minds Christina Grant, Executive Director, The Center for Education Policy Research, Harvard University |
| 4:30 PM-4:35 PM | Final Remarks Location: Grand Ballroom B | |
| 4:35PM-5:20 PM | Special Performance Location: Grand Ballroom B | Continuing the narrative of this morning's performance, Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson make it back to the stage to round out the day. Continue the journey the power of hip-hop, history, and human connection. Brian and Nygel will leave us with a final message that’s as urgent as it is unforgettable — all delivered with heart, humor, and energy. |
| 5:30 PM-7:30 PM | Closing Reception Location: Grand Ballroom A |
>> LOGISTICS
Registration Support
Email: info@newschoolssummit.org
Local: 415-446-7736
Toll-Free: 800-719-3416
Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM PDT
Hotel Information
You can book your hotel room at the Hilton San Francisco at the discounted group rate of $239 per night when you register. Space is limited and reservations are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Photography Policy
By registering for NewSchools Summit please be aware that NewSchools Venture Fund (NewSchools) intends to photograph, audio record, and/or visually record some of the event and other activities. NewSchools may make use of such photographs and recording for purposes including creating, distributing, and transmitting copies of them, and/or promotional or advertising uses, without restriction of media.
If you do not wish to be photographed, audio recorded, and/or audio visually recorded, please feel free to excuse yourself from any potential photographs and recordings during the event.
Transportation Information
Ground Transportation: The Hilton San Francisco Union Square does not offer an airport shuttle service. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is 13 miles from the Hilton and rideshare fare is approximately $50. Oakland International Airport (OAK) is 18 miles from the Hilton and rideshare fare is approximately $60.
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is available from both airports. The one-way fee is $11.15 from San Francisco International Airport and $12.65 from Oakland International Airport. The Hilton San Francisco Union Square is located closest to the Powell Street BART station.
Driving directions and additional transportation information can be found here.
Parking: On-site parking is $35.00 plus tax daily. Valet parking is $80.00 plus tax daily.
Attire & Weather
Business casual is appropriate for all Summit functions. Please remember to wear your badge for all Summit activities. In May, average temperatures in the area range from low 50’s to high 60’s.