Dear PAIS Community,
Working in an independent school is a gift. That’s worth saying out loud more often than we do. You work in a place where a person arrives at three (2.7) and leaves by the age of eighteen, having grown into somebody else entirely — and you had something to do with that.
That makes the work we do pretty incredible. You don't have to go looking for purpose in a mission statement. It's in the hallway at 7:45. The soundtrack of your day includes the laughter of children, the what if curiosity in questions asked and probably a musical score being rehearsed. It is the embodiment of joy - maybe not all day everyday, but trust me, you experience it in spades compared to any other industry.
So PAIS is adding some unexpected joy of our own this year. On purpose. | |  | We're staging a musical October 18. Schooled — our opening act for the Elevate Learning Conference at Carlow University. Peter Nilsson wrote it as a short thank you to his students at Deerfield - two acts and three states later, PAIS is putting it on a stage to share with the world how incredible our schools are and the students within them.
With students from St. Edmund’s Academy, we're launching a weather balloon - sensors, cameras, a payload, and the edge of the atmosphere. Remake Learning asked us to be part of their 20 year celebration of learning. How could we say no? If you are in Pittsburgh September 25, close the laptop and look up.
I hope your start of school is full of joy. | Liz Hofreuter, Executive Director | |
| | ACCREDITATION | Jay Harvey | | "To champion high quality, safe, equitable, and sustainable schools that significantly impact the lives of students."
These are the opening words of the PAIS Mission Statement. PAIS works as champions of over 125 mission-based institutions and PAIS accreditation takes its responsibility to reflect upon and support those missions very seriously.
The first of the 26 Standards that make up our Self Study document is: "The school has a clearly delineated vision, mission, and core values that defines its purposes and guides the community in articulating its goals, academic and non-academic programs, daily operations, and strategic planning." | | | |
The word 'mission' appears in 8 of the subsequent Standards. At the Visiting Committee's opening meeting on Sunday night, one of the first orders of business is to review the school's mission statement and center it as the north star for the school review.
Mission Statements serve as wonderful anchors for school planning and vision. The review of a Mission Statement's wording, efficacy, and visibility can be one of the most important exercises a school can schedule on a regular basis.
| | | Registration is Now Open for 2026–27 PAIS Circle of Peers!
Build connections with colleagues who understand your role and the challenges that come with it. Circle of Peers brings PAIS members together in small, role-alike cohorts for candid conversation, idea-sharing, and collaborative problem-solving. See below for our 2026-27 Circle of Peers and CLICK HERE to learn more and join your circle! | | PROGRAMMING | Deb Borden, Luke Hladek | | |
With another new school year on the horizon and the frenetic pace that comes with these early weeks, we know teachers across the country are struggling to make it to bedtime, let alone attend every professional development session in their inboxes. That’s why we have deliberately selected programming that not only supports the wider PAIS accreditation process, but also provides wraparound services across various settings for our teachers to grow while celebrating the joys of this wonderful career.
With that in mind, we’d like to highlight three upcoming programs for PAIS teachers to consider.
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Elevate Learning (in-person)
The annual Elevate Learning Conference returns to Pittsburgh on October 19th at Carlow University, with wall-to-wall programming led by some of the most accomplished members in our field. This year, we will focus on three tracks: Learning Differences in Our Classrooms, The Science and Design of Student Engagement, and AI in Education. Our final programming schedule will be released soon, but follow PAIS on our social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube) for updates and fun surprises.
Speaking of surprises, join us for our Pre-Conference Workshop, Reframing Student Well-Being on October 18th before the exclusive, first-ever staged reading of Schooled, the Musical!
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Teaching & Learning Series (virtual) (Act 48 eligible)
The Teaching and Learning Series includes TEN outstanding programs by industry leaders on topics ranging from inclusion in the classroom to social and emotional learning to simple tips for a better year ahead. Subscriptions provide access for your full staff at a tiered rate based on school size for the entire year. Series speaker highlights include:
Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, author, The Digital Delusion
Jason Craige Harris, Pollyanna
Dr. Catlin Tucker, author and podcast host
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Building Leaders in Small Schools (virtual) (Act 48 eligible)
There is still time to join the 26-27 Cohort! This limited attendee offering includes TEN virtual sessions for classroom educators with an interest and capacity for future leadership. Educators will work in a small cohort while honing leadership skills and positioning themselves to step into larger roles in their school communities, while schools themselves can help identify and nurture the growth of their staff and retain key talent. A true win-win!
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Learn more about ALL of our upcoming professional learning
opportunities by visiting the PAIS UPCOMING PROGRAMS page. | | October 7
RISE: Middle School Student Leadership Summit
The Shipley School
Bryn Mawr, PA
REGISTRATION OPEN | | |
October 8
Forward Together: A Symposium for Women
The Baldwin School
Bryn Mawr, PA
REGISTRATION OPEN
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October 18 & 19
Elevate Learning Conference Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA
REGISTRATION OPEN
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November 9 & 10
Every School Schedule Tells a Story
Tower Hill School
Wilmington, DE
REGISTRATION OPEN
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December 13 & 14
Heads and CFOs’ Convening
A collaboration with PAISBOA
Hershey, PA
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
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