Beyond the Retreat: An Action Lab for Future-Ready Schools

The future of independent schools
is already here.

The Retreat has evolved. What began as our annual gathering for Heads and Assistant Heads of School is now an Action Lab for school leadership, built for the moment independent schools are facing: real pressure to respond to immediate challenges while preparing for a very different future. This one-day working experience is designed to help leadership teams examine the issues that matter most and translate insight into action.

Less passive conference, more working think tank. A working day for heads, assistant heads, trustees, CFOs and senior leaders to move from conversation to action.

Not a conference. A working session.

The Action Lab marks a new kind of ADVIS leadership experience. Designed for heads, assistant heads, trustees, CFOs, and senior leaders, this one-day program will help school teams examine the changing landscape of independent education and governance, and identify the strategic choices required for the future.

Governance as a strategic lever

Presented in partnership with the Middle States Association (MSA), the day will also highlight Governance Mastery, MSA’s emerging framework for strengthening board practice, strategic alignment, and governance capacity. Rather than treating governance as a separate track, the program will position governance as a critical lever for helping schools move from future-focused ideas to meaningful institutional action.

Opening conversation

Three of independent education's sharpest voices open the day with a future-focused conversation designed to challenge assumptions and widen the lens.

John Gulla Executive Director,  E.E. Ford Foundation	Ayanna Hill-Gill President, ADVIS	Christian Talbot President & CEO, Middle States Association

How the day unfolds

From there, participants will move into facilitated working sessions* focused on:

*more information coming soon.