Registration is now open for ACSA’s signature program for developing principals who are effective, equity-minded and driven to create exceptional learning environments for their students.

Since 1992, ACSA has been welcoming principals, vice principals and aspiring principals to the Summer Leadership Institute, a life-changing weeklong professional development experience.

“I left a different administrator than I entered and for that I will be forever grateful,” said one attendee from last year’s institute.

Participants are guided on this journey by team leaders — experienced administrators who guide small groups through reflective discussions on the content and its application to real-life school settings.

“I feel one of the most powerful aspects of the Summer Leadership Institute is the supportive environment created by team leaders ” said Susan Summers, a team leader and principal of Palmdale Learning Plaza in the Palmdale School District. “This structure allows for honest, open conversations, where participants can share challenges, ideas and strategies in a safe, collaborative space”

Each day, participants hear presentations from some of the top thought-leaders in education and take part in engaging team building and personal growth exercises designed to help principals overcome leadership challenges.

Part of the uniqueness of this professional development experience is that it is a residential program. Away from the demands of home and family, the institute gives participants an unparalleled opportunity to focus on their leadership skills.

This year, Summer Leadership Institute will be held at University of La Verne, a vibrant campus featuring state-of-the-art facilities, scenic walkways, and easy access to local dining and entertainment. Attendees will stay in dorm suites with four single-occupancy bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, and a shared common room.

One of the other perks is the chance to create a network of support with other rising stars in school leadership. Through social activities like planned outings and the Thursday-night barbecue, attendees form professional and personal relationships that carry on through the years.

“This opportunity is not just about gaining new knowledge, but about fostering lasting connections that contribute to both personal and professional growth,” Summers said.

Summers had the opportunity to attend the institute and said the experience was transformative. Even now as a team leader, she is still benefiting from the institute.

“The ACSA Summer Leadership Institute is something I look forward to every year as I also get the opportunity to continue my own learning and professional development through different presenters and through aspiring leaders who are new to the profession,” she said. “The institute is a life changing experience that allows for relationships and professional development that lasts a lifetime.”