Professional Learning

Our vision at CAIS is to be leaders in education, shaping the future of a courageous, compassionate world.

As a national organization, CAIS provides a comprehensive and agile professional learning program that supports current and aspiring leaders along their Leadership Pathway. The CAIS professional learning program is continuously evolving to ensure that we prepare leaders who will succeed in an ever-changing educational landscape.

Anchored by the Leadership Praxis, CAIS Professional Learning programs explore:

Indicators of Effective Leadership Practice (what does it mean to lead in this area?),
Competencies (what skills does the leader demonstrate?),
Dispositions (what is the leader’s temper and knowledge?) and
Knowledge (what does the leader know and understand?).

We believe looking beyond ourselves allows us to appreciate our differences and become stronger as a collective. We seek out new ideas, promote diversity and lead in a changing world.

► The CAIS Corporate Sponsorship Program allows your organization to interact with senior professionals and maximize ROI through continuous exposure. Interested? Visit the CAIS Corporate Sponsorship Program page.

Overview of Leadership Institute (LI) Programs

The CAIS Leadership Institute offers a variety of programs designed to develop and enhance leadership skills at various levels within independent schools:

Foundations for School Leadership Program: For emerging leaders to explore leadership from multiple levels—conceptual and personal.

Independent School Leadership Diploma Program: For aspiring and current leaders seeking to broaden their competencies across all areas of school leadership.

LeAD Program: An advanced diploma for those leaders in CAIS schools who see themselves as future Heads of Schools.

NexGen Leaders: A cohort-based program supporting underrepresented aspiring leaders in learning about headship roles.

New Heads of School and Board Chair Orientation Program: For new Heads of School and Board Chairs to continue learning and adapting in their roles.

Heads' Retreat: An annual retreat for current Heads of School to reflect, share experiences, and engage in professional learning.

Annual Conferences

CAIS hosts annual conferences that bring together school leaders to explore current issues, trends, challenges, and opportunities in independent schools:

Heads & Chairs Conference: An annual gathering for Heads of School and Board Chairs, including the CAIS Annual General Meeting.

National Leaders Conference: An annual conference for school leaders to discuss and learn about challenges and opportunities in independent schools.