PAIS May 2026 Newsletter

Dear PAIS Community,

As independent schools, you have an advantage over other school models: the opportunity to put learning above everything else. On your campuses, learning for adults and children can be your compass. But I know there are a thousand pressures pulling you away from that. Maybe it’s budgets, politics, logistics, parent demands or a slew of other challenges. PAIS intends to offer the resources and services so that we can all keep learning first. It's work we're positioned to do — together.

Please be sure to review the three highlighted upcoming programs below—including our Emerging Leaders Institute which is now accepting applications.

I hope your Head of School will join our Annual Meeting on May 7, so your school can join the conversation to champion the value of independent education.

Liz Hofreuter
Executive Director

ACCREDITATION | Jay Harvey

ICAISA Review

Accreditation is a process of review, but more importantly it is a process dedicated to growth and sustainability. Every ten years the vast majority of the PAIS membership goes through the accreditation process and comes out with a valuable validation of their full school operations but most importantly, receives recommendations that help point the school to future, sustained health.

PAIS is a member of the International Council Advancing Independent School Accreditation (ICAISA). These are "the accreditors of the accreditors". ICAISA counts as its members most of the US independent school accrediting agencies and also Canada and International agencies.

Every ten years PAIS completes an ICAISA Renewal Process and every five years an Interim Review Process. 2026 marks our Interim Review Process and work is underway to review all of the most recent recommendations (there were six major recs) and update progress. The Interim Review is done virtually and a broad representation of our membership may be asked to participate.

PAIS asks our accredited schools to open themselves up for review during our decennial accreditation cycle. We welcome this ICAISA visit and trust it will bring the type of validation and direction that will propel us to be even better servant-partners with our wonderful member schools.

GOVERNMENT ADVOCACY | Liz Hofreuter

Our schools illustrate the living, breathing complexity and joy of independent education. Our independence allows us to say, "This is who we are and what we value," and offer a program built on that, but independence doesn't mean we get to operate in a bubble. The political landscape right now is loud, and it's leaking into every corner of school life — board meetings, parent conversations, hiring decisions, even the language we use (or don’t use) on our websites. Things that were once simply good pedagogy now get read through a political lens. At times it can feel like there are lions at the gates.

PAIS is developing partnerships with lawmakers and mission-aligned peers to protect our independence, and with legal experts to interpret our best actions when that is at risk. It is my hope to deflect what we can, inform you of what is imminent, and offer resources to learn more, so you can focus on learning in your school communities.

What I am paying attention to:

In the March newsletter, we shared a resource about the penalty charged to IMG Academy. It reminds you to be aware of the SDN List - Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List — think of it as the U.S. government's "do not do business with" list. In response, a first step might be to map any of your school’s international touchpoints and loop in your legal counsel if you assess a risk.

In Pennsylvania…

PA HB 1814 and PA SB 1014 call for a ban of cell phones. There is amendment language proposed to include non-public schools. Our partners have asked for a no-vote to the amendment as it relates to curriculum.

There has been an instance of OCDEL (Office of Child Development and Early Learning) and thus DHS pushing into preschools in the course of the normal school day. The first school approached by DHS “found relief.” Please let me know if you receive any communication about your preschool from OCDEL.

CONNECTIONS | Deb Borden

PAIS Professional Growth Visits (PGV’s)
Started in 2024-25 as a pilot program, the PGV’s have grown and surpassed all expectations. The Professional Growth Visit program offers the opportunity for educators to experience a day in the life of a PAIS school, a school that may be very different or very similar to their home school. As one participant noted, “The day is pure pleasure. Getting to experience another school, learn what’s unique about their program, witness their students and teachers in action, connect with others in my role, and enjoy the presence of a group of educators from different schools has been magical, memorable, and pure pleasure. Thank you PAIS for creating this experience!” This May, we are beginning to seek schools to host a

Professional Growth Visit for a day in the 2026-27 school year. We are seeking a diversity of schools from throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware. If you are interested in being a host school, look for an upcoming email with more information or reach out to Char Barwis, the PAIS Director of Member Experience at cbarwis@paispa.org.

PROGRAMMING | Deb Borden

Professional learning becomes more meaningful and impactful when experienced in community. Join the PAIS community of learners and consider one of the following programs:

Emerging Leaders Institute

If you want to develop leadership skills and knowledge, build transformational relationships, and gain an awareness of the systems of leadership in schools, this program is designed for you. Application-based, we accept up to 28 in our yearly cohort of emerging leaders. The program consists of over 30 hours of learning throughout the school year. The deadline to submit an application is June 12, 2026. Click here to apply.

“Three years after the Emerging Leaders Institute, I continue to be thankful for the experience. It helped me to clarify my leadership journey and I find that I employ the skills I learned regularly in my expanded leadership roles.”

Teaching the First Three Years Institute

Designed for early career teachers, this cohort-driven experience offers training and support in important areas in teaching - understanding and impacting school culture, navigating relationships, developing one’s craft in teaching, and self-care, among others. Two in-person sessions are available this summer, in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and virtual sessions continue during the school year. Click to learn more and register for the in-person sessions in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

“Teaching the First Three Years Institute has been such a great experience. It is a great opportunity to network, learn, and grow as an early educator. It was a supportive and fun environment. I feel more prepared to start my first school year as a lead teacher.”

Teaching and Learning Series 2026-27

The third year of the Teaching and Learning VIRTUAL Series offers an extraordinary lineup of TEN presenters, topics, and growth opportunities for ALL teachers in ALL schools. As a series member, all programs are open to everyone in a school to participate live as individuals or division teams, or to view asynchronously. Joining the series is an invaluable opportunity to promote professional learning in your school and connect to the PAIS community. The price point is tiered, based on school size. Click here to learn more and register.

Everyday Choices, Lasting Impact: Cultivating Dignity, Compassion & Inclusion in the Classroom

Presenter: Jason Craige Harris, Pollyanna

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Self-Aware Leadership: Helping Students Lead with Clarity and Confidence

Presenter: Heidi Kasevich, gcLi

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Stress, Emotions, & Learning: What's the Connection?

Presenter: Jared Cooney Horvath

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Measuring What Matters: Assessment With, Not Just Of

Presenter: Dr. Jane Shore, author

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AI as a Differentiation Partner: Supporting Every Learner Without Burning Out

Presenter: Dr. Catlin Tucker, AI specialist

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17 Tweaks That Make a Big Difference in Group Work

Presenter: Colleen Hamilton, author

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Swing into Resonant Teaching

Presenters: Devra Ramsey and Bob Wein, Germantown Friends School educators

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From Coverage to Coherence: Designing Curriculum That Tells a Story

Presenter: Allison Zmuda, author

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Designing Questions for Authentic Engagement

Presenter: Lauren, Porosoff, The Teacher Nerd

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Creative Hustle: Blazing a Path from Our Gifts to Our Goals

Presenters: Sam Seidel and Olatunde Sobomehin, Sanford University

Learn more about ALL of our upcoming professional learning
opportunities by visiting the PAIS UPCOMING PROGRAMS page.