National Leaders Conference
The 2019 National Leaders Post Conference Call for Workshop Proposals are open until December 7. Apply here.
The CAIS Diploma in Independent School Leadership is designed to prepare participants for senior leadership roles in independent schools, particularly for Headships, by providing courses in aspects of independent schools rarely experienced by teachers. It is expected that candidates will discuss participation with their Head of School.
The Award of the Diploma
The Diploma is awarded to those candidates who successfully complete the program within a five- year period.
How to Access the Modules
Modules are offered by CAIS at our annual summer Leadership Institute and individual modules may be scheduled at other times during the year. You may register for the Diploma modules by completing our online registration forms. CAIS will give recognition for a maximum of one module completed through other institutions (e.g. Universities, OISE, NAIS, etc.) provided equivalency is established. CAIS will provide documentation to other institutions with the intention that candidates may use the Diploma towards a graduate degree.
Keeping Current
CAIS continues to explore new possibilities for the Institute and additional modules have been added in Risk Management, Change Leadership and Women and Leadership. In the past years, CAIS has increased the flexibility in timing, with modules offered fall, spring and in the summer at locations across the nation. The selection of Leadership Institute venues is based upon a number of criteria. See Hosting the Leadership Institute below.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE DIPLOMA
- SIX* MODULES ARE REQUIRED:
- Four additional modules are required, and Candidates may choose from any of the following*:
SIX* MODULES ARE REQUIRED:
- Academic Administration or Leadership for Learning
- Accreditation
- Advancement
- Faculty Culture
- Finance
- Governance
* Additional modules may be added.
Note:
Non academic professionals completing the diploma may replace the Academic Administration/Leadership for Learning module with an additional elective to supplement their learning.
Four additional modules are required, and Candidates may choose from any of the following*:
- Admissions
- Aspiring Leaders
- Brain Research
- Change Management
- Coaching
- Education Law
- Encouraging Dialogue: Mental Health and Our Schools
- Design Thinking for School Innovation
- Human Resources
- Leadership 101
- Leadership through Integrative Thinking
- Leading from Within
- Management
- Marketing and Communications
- Plant and Property Management
- Risk Management
- Women and Leadership
* Additional modules may be added.
Hosting the leadership institute
Would your school like to host a Leadership Institute?
Venues for the Leadership Institutes are selected based on the following criteria:
- Each year the 3 major CAIS events (Heads and Chairs Conference, National Leadership Conference and the Summer LI) are distributed across the country
- Summer LI venues are hosted by schools with large student residence capacity to minimize cost to participants.
- The Spring LI is tied to the NLC to minimize travel costs
If so, please review the following document and contact Elizabeth Chambers with any questions.
2019 Fall LI
Dates: November 15-16, 2019
Hosted by Halifax Grammar School, Halifax, NS.
2020 Spring LI
Dates: April 3-4, 2020
Hosted by St. John’s School, Vancouver, BC.
2020 Summer LI
Dates: June 30 - July 4, 2020
Hosted by Lakefield College School, Lakefield, ON.
“For the past three years, I have been privileged to attend the CAIS Leadership Institute, graduating this past summer at St. Andrew's College. Over the course of the program, I have enjoyed incredible networking and professional sharing and learning opportunities at CAIS schools in Aurora, St. Catharines, and Victoria, BC. Without a doubt, this experience has been the single most useful opportunity for professional growth in my career.
On a daily basis, I use the knowledge and skills gained while attending the institute in communicating more effectively with parents, students, and teachers, and in planning programming and curriculum that is both creative and also drives learning. The expertise of the course leaders (incredible CAIS educators), and the collaborative nature of the modules have pushed me to take what I have learned and apply it as I challenge myself to continue to develop in school leadership. There is no doubt that I am a better leader and educator thanks to the Leadership Institute.”
Russell Marston, The Rosedale Day School
“My time at the LI genuinely changed how I accomplish and enjoy my role as a vice principal. The modules provided important insights into areas of running an independent school that I had either not considered or had little to no understanding of. Perhaps even more valuable to my LI experience was meeting, sharing, and problem solving with peers from all over the country. It was incredibly gratifying to learn that so many of us share the same challenges but more importantly can offer solid strategies and solutions to solve our common issues. I am also grateful for my time at the LI as I have developed friendships that I believe will last for the remainder of my career”
Warren Lee, West Point Grey Academy