Reform Leaders' Summit

The Reform Leaders’ Summit (RLS) is a year-long policy fellowship that equips emerging policy leaders, school leaders, and educators with the skills and knowledge to advance family choice policy. The fellowship is animated by three "immersion" experiences wherein participants learn about education reform initiatives in New Orleans, Tampa, and Notre Dame. These convenings are facilitated by a team of local education and policy leaders in addition to national experts including Ashley Rogers Berner (Johns Hopkins University), Derrell Bradford (50CAN), Howard Fuller (Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy), and Andy Smarick (Manhattan Institute).

Since 2010, more than 500 leaders have completed the Summit, many of whom now lead prominent reform organizations. Notable program completers include Amanda Aragon (50CAN), Brian Couch (Seton Catholic Schools), Anna Egalite (North Carolina State University, Patrick Graff (American Federation for Children), and Mike McShane (Ed Choice).

This initiative is designed to support the Catholic Church’s teaching that parents serve as the primary educators of their children. As Pope Francis wrote in his 2016 apostolic exhortation The Joy of Love, “The overall education of children is a ‘most serious duty’ and at the same time a ‘primary right of parents.’ This is not just a task or a burden, but an essential and inalienable right that parents are called to defend and of which no one may claim to deprive them. The State offers educational programs in a subsidiary way, supporting the parents in their indeclinable role; parents themselves enjoy the right to choose freely the kind of education – accessible and of good quality – which they wish to give their children in accordance with their convictions.”

RLS Application Timeline

2026-2027 RLS Cohort Application Timeline

December 12, 2025 - Priority Application Deadline
February 13, 2026 - Final Application Deadline

Start Your Application Now

Nominate a Reform Leader

Request More Information

Lauren May in classroom with student, smiling for camera.

The Power of Yes: Lauren May's Impactful Career in K-12 Education

August 21, 2024

Schoenig wins Parental Choice Award

March 30, 2023

Program Details

What will participants take away?

Working relationships with the nation's top educational choice thought-leaders
An increased understanding of the legal, social, constitutional, political, and moral dimensions of family choice public policy in the United States.
Firsthand experience of educational choice's impact on families, communities, and educational systems.
The ability to advocate for family choice public policy in their home states.

Who should apply?

Graduates of Alliance for Catholic Education Programs
Catholic School Leaders and Supporters
Members of School Choice and Parent Advocacy Groups
Emerging Leaders Committed to Family Choice Policy Advocacy
Educators Who Want to Refine Their Understanding of Education Policy

How much does it cost?
Those selected earn a fellowship that will cover their participation fee, lodging, and meals. Participants will be expected to pay for travel to and from each our three immersion weekend sites.

What is required of participants?
All accepted applicants are expected to fully participate in all three in-person immersion weekends. Additionally, Reform Leaders are expected to complete all pre-immersion readings and engage with their Professional Learning Communities in between in-person meetings.

Reform Leaders demonstrate intellectual ability, leadership potential, dedication to Catholic education, and a desire to be active in the school choice movement.