Reform Leaders' Summit

The Reform Leaders' Summit is an intensive formation experience designed explicitly for Catholic school supporters. It was developed in response to the recommendation of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

“As the primary educators of their children, parents have the right to choose the school best suited for them. The entire Catholic community should be encouraged to advocate for parental school choice and personal and corporate tax credits, which will help parents to fulfill their responsibility in educating their children.”

The Reform Leaders' Summit aims to equip leaders with the skills and abilities needed to support family rights and equity in education. Each year, we select a cohort of approximately 40 talented leaders who engage in a program consisting of three immersion weekends over the course of 12 months. These immersion weekends are facilitated by a team of moderators including policy makers, school (and school system) leaders, researchers, education entrepreneurs, and funders.

RLS 17 Application Timeline

2025-2026 Cohort - Applications to join the 2025-2026 cohort will be released this fall!

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Schoenig wins Parental Choice Award

March 30, 2023

Looking Forward to 2023

December 31, 2022

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?
Through the support of a national foundation, the Reform Leaders' Summit is offered at no cost to participants. Funding will be provided for all travel, meals, lodging, and other program expenses.

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.

The dates for the 16th Cohort of RLS are as follows:

June 21-23, 2024: New Orleans, Louisiana
January 24-26, 2025: Tampa, Florida
June 6-8, 2025: Notre Dame, Indiana

The tentative dates for the 17th Cohort of RLS are as follows:

June 20-22, 2025: New Orleans, Louisiana
February 27 - March 1, 2026: Tampa, Florida
June 5-7, 2026 Notre Dame, Indiana

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Nominate a Reform Leader

Apply to the Reform Leaders' Summit

Thank you for your interest in the Reform Leaders' Summit! The application for the 17th Cohort of the Reform Leaders' Summit (2025-2026) will launch this fall!