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Cohorts

Get the Support You Need

Do you need someone to turn to as you encounter new challenges?

It’s always good to know you’re not alone! Connect with others in your role at classical Christian schools around the country. Build relationships, share ideas, and support each other in small groups while learning best practices in your field of speciality.

Cohort leaders are seasoned professionals in their field. Based on years of experience, they will share professional standards, help you avoid common pitfalls, and equip you with the resources you need to be successful.

Don’t go it alone! Connect with an SCL cohort and build a healthy, growing school.

About Cohorts

Cohorts are year-long mentorship learning groups led by experienced school leaders who are experts in their fields. They consist of ten, ninety minute sessions over the course of the school year. When participating in a cohort, you will find the vital support you need to serve your school with excellence. Content and mentorship are accessible to cohort members through the utilization of online platforms Zoom and Thinkific.

Don’t go it alone! Connect with an SCL cohort and build a healthy, growing school.

Winter 2024 Cohorts Offerings

Christopher Perrin

What Virtue Is and Why It Matters

Description: 

It is now common to hear teachers and leaders speak of classical education as the cultivation of virtue. However, most of us in the classical renewal have not studied the virtue tradition in any depth. This cohort is a sampling of Dr. Perrin’s graduate course offered through the Gordon College Master of Arts in Classical Leadership program. Participants will take part in a sustained study of virtue beginning with the classical writers such as Plato, Aristotle, Seneca, Aurelius, and Cicero and then moving on to study some of the great Christian writers on virtue such as Augustine, Basil, and Aquinas. Throughout our study, we will make regular applications to Christian school leadership and the ways in which classical teachers can grow as cultivators of virtue in their own classrooms.

During the 10 months of the cohort, Dr. Perrin will be available via email, and online where everyone in the cohort can correspond and discuss our readings.

 

Bio: 

Christopher Perrin, MDiv, PhD, is the CEO with Classical Academic Press, and a national leader, author, and speaker for the renewal of classical education. He is the author of An Introduction to Classical Education: A Guide for Parents, Greek for Children Primer A, and co-author of the Latin for Children series. He serves as a consultant to classical Christian schools, schools converting to the classical model, and homeschool co-ops. He is the director of the Alcuin Fellowship, former co-chair of the Society for Classical Learning, and an adjunct professor with the honor’s program at Messiah College and with the Classical School Leadership master’s program at Gordon College. Chris previously served for ten years as a headmaster of a classical Christian school in Harrisburg, PA

 

Syllabus:

Outline of Authors and Readings

The Classical Tradition

  • Homer
  • Plato
  • Aristotle
  • Cicero
  • Seneca
  • Aurelius

The Christian Tradition

  • Augustine
  • Prudentius
  • Basil
  • Aquinas
  • Dante
  • Melancthon
  • Sertillanges
  • DeYoung

Meeting Dates and Times

Meets Wednesdays once a month, 3:30-5:00pm ET, beginning February 7th, 2024.

REGISTER NOW
Jef Fowler

Building the Foundation: The Business of Getting Your School Off the Ground

Description:

Launching a new school can be overwhelming! Where to even begin? This cohort is for all who are somewhere in the process of launching a school from just the seeds of an idea to the opening year. The cohort will work through general principles of launching a school but will be tailored to the specific needs of the participants. Topics will include: ensuring that you have a clear vision and mission, corporate formation, writing bylaws, establishing school board policies and practices, budgeting, personnel, facilities, marketing/promotion, etc. In addition to monthly meetings, Jef will offer office hours during which participants can seek individual advice.

 

Bio:

Jef served as the Head of School of Veritas Academy in Austin, Texas for 18 years until retiring in the summer of 2023 (though he continues to serve on the Veritas school and trustee boards) and launching Quiddity Consulting LLC. His strengths are vision (seeing what doesn’t exist but could/should), discernment, persistent resolve and equanimity, adaptability, and relational leadership, qualities that are especially prominent in startups and in times of uncertainty and crisis when he thrives due to his high tolerance for ambiguity and risk.

Prior to co-founding Veritas Academy in 2004, Jef was an experienced business owner, operator, and consultant, having started and/or served as a senior executive officer (CFO/COO/CEO) at several high growth companies in Houston and Austin. He earned an MBA in Finance from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin and is a former CPA, possessing years of M&A, corporate finance, and strategic/financial consulting experience with Big Four accounting and consulting firms. Jef has even more years of entrepreneurial business and church administration/board experience, and has previously served the National Association for University-Model Schools (NAUMS) as an advisory board member and new school trainer.

Jef and his wife, Starrla, have three grown children (all graduates of Veritas Academy) and continue to serve the classical Christian school movement from their new home in Memphis, Tennessee where they recently relocated in order to spend life with their adult children and soon-to-appear grandchildren.

 

Topics:

  1. Prayer, Wisdom, & Guidance: understanding this is God’s work. Praying for this new venture, for the heart and vision for families and children, for the educational passion and entrepreneurial DNA, for the vision, acumen, and spiritual maturity needed, and for the fortitude and faith to see it through.   
  2. Mission & Vision: prayerfully crafting your vision and mission with the end in mind
  3. Legal Formation: filing for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, articles of incorporation, bylaws, bank accounts, board policies, employment law, etc. 
  4. Finance: raising funds, setting tuition, creating the budget, reporting financials, accounting, HR, etc.
  5. People: hiring mission-minded personnel, creating a launch team, identifying the best seats on the bus/organizational structure, developing constructive relationships between the board, head of school, and senior managers/executive team, etc.
  6. Facilities & Operations: identifying space options, understanding daily-use logistics, plant adjustments needed for schools, preparing for customer service, carpool, creating positive landlord relationships, etc 
  7. Marketing & Branding: creating a school name, logo, and branding package, building a marketing and promotion strategy and launch campaign, creating school communication, etc. 

Meeting Dates and Times

Meets the third Wednesday of every month from 10:00am – 11:30am CT from January to September, beginning January 31st, 2024.

Register now

If you have any questions, contact cohorts@societyforclassicallearning.org.

In Each Cohort, Attendees Will:

Participate in monthly sessions with other school leaders to discover new tactics, collaborate on ideas, and ask questions about topics important to you.

Utilize one-to-one engagement with your group leader to help grow your knowledge and skill set.

Use each month flexibly for independent work, connecting with peers, and group learning.

Experience open dialogue to discuss issues, challenges, and victories.

Receive specialized resources, shared documents, and training material.

Connect with others in their field who share similar circumstances.

Hear from experienced school leaders and industry experts.

Cohort Pricing

Non-Member Individual Price

$2,200

SCL Individual Member Price

$1,980

Member Group (3+) Discount

Member: $1,619

Non-Member: $1,799

* requires payment in full at time of purchase or automatic withdrawal set up (3% fee required)

Here’s What Our Members Are Saying

We are both very excited about the direction we are taking in this role, and we could not be doing that if I had not learned all of the amazing things the SCL cohort has taught me. I am so enthusiastic about it and the plans I have to further develop and grow within it. Thank you for introducing me to this world!
LeAnne Hidde from the Marketing and Admissions Cohort

The Upper School Heads cohort has been a lifeline to me during difficult moments of this school year. It has been a place for sharing common struggles and offering solutions. It’s kept me grounded and passionate about the good work we get to do for our schools.
-Aaron Cosner from Upper School Heads Cohort

“I appreciated the opportunity to connect with others who work in positions like mine and talk about issues we’ve had at our schools. We could laugh, share about tough situations, and offer encouragement to one another.”
– SCL Attendee

We’re Here to Support You and Your School

At The Society for Classical Learning, we understand the importance of having a strong network of experts
to lean on when you need it most. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized coaching, consulting, and cohort opportunities to help you build a healthy, thriving school.

Through our coaching services, we’ll work with you to identify your strengths and weaknesses and develop a
growth plan. Our consultants can help you navigate complex issues and provide guidance on best practices
in areas such as curriculum development, increased enrollment, family retention, teacher training, and
community engagement. And our cohorts offer a supportive community of like-minded school leaders who are all working towards the same goal.

Whether you’re a new school leader or a seasoned veteran, The Society for Classical Learning is here to support you every step of the way. With our expertise and dedication to your success, you can build a thriving, healthy school that meets the needs of your students, families, faculty, and community.

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Empowering Classical Christian Schools Worldwide

Our team of experts has spent nearly 30 years equipping hundreds of Classical Christian Schools around the World with the tools they need to thrive. From professional development to specialized workshops, our global membership network and online library or resources will give you the confidence you need to grow your school successfully.

BECOME A MEMBER

500

Schools in Network

25

Years Serving the Classical Education Community

300

Leaders Trained

200

School Startups in last two years

Here’s how easy it is to become a healthy, thriving school

1. Become a Member

Join the movement and gain access to the essential resources you need to grow, such as curriculum and legal support, professional development, and discounts on annual conferences and events.

2. Meet your Advisor

We’ll conduct a quick assessment to discover how best to support you and your goals.

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3. Lead with Confidence

Enjoy the benefits of participating in a vibrant, growing network of like-minded schools dedicated to helping each other thrive.

Join The Thriving Community of Classical Christian Schools

Feel confident that you have been equipped with the knowledge and resources you need to lead your school.

Become a MemberAbout Membership

Become a producer or intern!

Why just attend the conference when you can be involved in making it happen. SCL is seeking eager individuals to join our team as Producers and Interns for our upcoming Summer Conference.

 

Click the button for more information and details about how to apply and what each position includes!

As a member, you receive access to all of the most recent summer conference content, including 80+ workshops, plenary speakers, etc., plus access to the full library of past content.

Conference Sessions

Ensure increased visibility for your school by having it listed on the Find a School Map, connecting you with potential students and families seeking a classical Christian learning environment.

Map Feature

Unlock a wealth of exclusive resources, such as research studies and articles, providing valuable insights and knowledge for your school's continuous improvement.

Resources

Enable your school to easily post job openings and attract qualified candidates with the Career Center, simplifying the hiring process.

Career Center

Enjoy exclusive discounts on all SCL events and services, empowering you to access valuable resources and opportunities for your school's growth at a more affordable cost.

Exclusive Discounts

Get access to exclusive cohorts and workshops!

Cohorts and Workshops

SCL conducts school-wide surveys to provide relevant information to the classical Christian community as well as access to in-depth research with partner organizations like the Barna Group.

Research

A connected community of classical Christian thought leaders, including heads of school, board members, marketing and admissions directors, development and fundraising directors, academic deans, grammar and upper school heads, and teachers from all grade levels are here to support and encourage one another.

Community

Member-exclusive Coaching Call sessions. 15-20 online sessions each year from key-thought leaders on topics ranging from legal and operational issues to pedagogical and philosophical discussions. Think of it as a mini-conference each month!

Coaching Calls

Gain new insight, knowledge, and skills around best practices in a short, intensive format with workshops or a year-long mentorship experience with cohorts. Designed for administrators, teachers, parents, leaders, and department heads – anyone seeking to learn and grow in their role.

Conference & Workshops

Our network of seasoned professionals is available to navigate your questions and brainstorm solutions with you. Let us know how you want to direct your time and we will pair you with the senior leader that best suits your school’s unique needs.

Consulting