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2026 Leadership Summit

Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM (EDT) to Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 3:00 PM (EDT)

The LD Schools Leadership Retreat (now a Summit) has been an opportunity for leaders to connect, recharge, and learn for many years. We hope you can join us for this exciting and fulfilling opportunity to share insights, learn, and grow alongside other LD school professionals as we work to build the next generation of leaders serving students with learning disabilities. The mission and vision of the retreat remains the same as we transition it to a Summit.

Mission:

Building the next generation of leaders serving students with learning differences.

Values:
  • Leadership Development
  • Connecting as a Community
  • Recharging

Join Us in Tennessee at Currey Ingram Academy

July 19 - 22, 2026

Beautiful campus scene

Registration Cost

Cost for the retreat can be seen below as well as on the registration page.  Maintaining a low cost for members was a priority for us in setting these prices. 

ALDS Member

Non-Member

Through April 15

$495

$695

April 16 - May 1

$545

$795

May 2 - July 1

$595

$895

After July 1

$645

$995

Included in the cost:

  • Three days of programming
  • Sunday evening reception at the host hotel
  • Monday evening reception and dinner at Currey Ingram Academy
  • Lunch Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
  • An evening in Nashville with dinner and drinks at the ACME Honky Tonk on Broadway
  • Transportation from host hotel to all activities
  • Lots of opportunity to collaborate, connect and learn with other ALDS leaders!
  • If you book the retreat hotel, breakfast on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday morning is also included.

Meet Our 2026 Partners


Platinum Level Sponsors

Superpower Mentors is the trusted mentorship solution for those with Dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning challenges.

Superpower Mentors matches neurodiverse and struggling students with mentors who share their lived experiences but also, and more importantly, share similar interests. Our empathetic, relatability-driven mentorship program leads to real breakthroughs, helping mentees grow in confidence, independence, accountability, executive functioning, and overall social and emotional well-being.

Our mission is to empower the next generation!

Currey Ingram is proud to host and sponsor this important event for our association.  As a school deeply committed to empowering students with learning differences, we believe in the transformative power of community, collaboration, and advocacy. ALDS plays a vital role in advancing the shared mission of schools like ours—fostering environments where neurodiversity is understood, celebrated, and supported through research-based instruction and inclusive educational practices.

MISBO supports the people who keep independent schools running strong. Across the country, MISBO connects operational leaders with practical resources, trusted data, and professional development in areas like finance, human resources, technology, facilities, and risk management. The goal is straightforward: help schools operate effectively and sustainably so they can stay focused on their mission.


Through conferences, peer networks, the MISBO MEP, and its unique purchasing consortium built by and for independent schools, MISBO brings together school leaders to share ideas, solve challenges, and learn from one another. This collaborative approach strengthens the operational foundation of independent schools and, in turn, supports the student experience at the heart of every school.

Gold Level Sponsors

Mary McDowell Friends School is a K–12 college preparatory program dedicated to the success of students with learning disabilities. Grounded in the Quaker values of equality, integrity, and social responsibility, we cultivate a diverse and antiracist community in which all students can reach their full potential. Our specialized teaching methodologies and challenging curricula empower students to become academic achievers, creative thinkers, advocates for equity, and contributing members of a global society.

Rawson Saunders School is an independent school in Austin, Texas, serving students with dyslexia in grades 1–8. Grounded in structured literacy and the science of learning, it provides a rigorous, affirming education where small classes and expert faculty help students build confidence and thrive.  The Rawson Saunders Institute, an IMSLEC-accredited training center, equips educators with the skills to deliver evidence-based literacy instruction, extending the school’s impact to classrooms and communities beyond its campus.  Together, the School and Institute embody a comprehensive commitment to transforming outcomes for students with dyslexia.

12M & Ed Tech Recruiting has supported independent schools as an executive search and strategic consulting firm since 2015. We run high-touch, full-service retained searches for all areas of the head's cabinet, and we specialize in helping clients navigate complex transitions, design new roles, and explore different restructuring options. We have worked with numerous LD schools across the country and are honored to continue our long-standing partnership with ALDS. 

RG175 is a retained search firm for independent school leadership.  We have 22 consultants spread out around the United States. We are committed to providing concierge service to our client schools and take excellent care of candidates in the process. By combining proven search protocols and extensive experience with schools, we concentrate most of our energies on executive leadership and board governance, including Head Searches, Senior Leadership Searches, Strategic Planning and Executive Mentoring. 

Silver Level Sponsors

AIM is a nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through literacy. At its core is AIM Academy, a nationally recognized school serving 400+ students in grades 1–12 with language-based learning differences like dyslexia, offering a rigorous, college-prep education built on a research-based literacy model.

AIM’s broader impact comes through the AIM Institute for Learning & Research, which partners with educators and school systems to translate the science of reading into practical strategies that improve literacy instruction and drive system-wide change.

The Windward School is the premier school for students in grades 1-9 with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities. With two campuses in White Plains and one campus on the Upper East Side of New York City, our proven, evidence-based instructional program combined with the dedication of our expertly-trained teachers has set generations of children on the road to reading success and writing proficiency. At Windward, students learn the skills they need to succeed academically and to develop socially and emotionally.

It’s different here. Creative energy permeates the air. Vibrant artwork is everywhere. Gardens cultivate curiosity. Hammers and 3D-printers in makerspaces bring ideas to life.

At traditional schools, students with language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia and ADHD, may feel alone, misunderstood, and even embarrassed. At The Lab School of Washington, these students enter an environment designed for them to thrive.

And that changes everything.

One of the nation’s best schools for bright students who learn differently, Delaware Valley Friends School delivers an extraordinary education in grades 1–12 within a nurturing, inclusive Quaker learning community—one that is constantly growing and evolving.

Our Quaker beliefs help all students feel supported and encouraged, thrive in an environment that celebrates differences and each person’s inherent worth, work towards creating an inclusive community, and learn to recognize their own strengths while discovering new passions.

Carney, Sandoe & Associates is a leading K-12 education recruitment firm specializing in faculty recruitment, head of school searches, and strategic consulting for independent schools worldwide. Since 1977, we have proudly partnered with over 2,000 independent, private, boarding, and charter schools across 48 states and 26 countries. With a proven track record of facilitating more than 40,000 successful hires globally, we are committed to connecting schools with exceptional talent.

Will Steih, CPA, of Prime Capital Financial partners with educational institutions to provide thoughtful, personalized financial guidance. He works closely with leadership and staff to simplify complex financial decisions, helping individuals build confidence in their long-term financial futures.

At Prime Capital Financial, the approach is rooted in service, education, and transparency. By offering tailored support and accessible resources, Will and his team aim to empower individuals to make informed financial choices—so they can focus on what matters most: their work, their families, and their communities.

The Parent Company is a Middle Tennessee-based construction manager and general contractor with a focus on educational and campus environments, particularly independent schools. For over 40 years, we have partnered with schools across the region to deliver new facilities, renovations, and campus improvements.

Our team has extensive experience working on active campuses and understands the importance of safety, communication, and minimizing disruption to daily school life. We are proud to support school communities by helping create spaces where students and educators can thrive.


ALDS is looking additional for Partners!

By sponsoring our Leadership Summit, your organization will gain exposure to a highly targeted and influential audience within the LD education sector. As a sponsor, you become an official partner of ALDS giving you the opportunity to showcase your commitment to supporting students with learning differences and gain exposure to this unique group.

Become an Official Sponsor


Credits Price
Member Rate
This is for all employees of an ALDS Founding or Member School. Registration Ends 7/15/26 at 3:00 AM EDT
$595.00
Price will increase to $645.00 on 7/2/26
Non-Member Rate
This ticket is for attendees not currently employed by a member school. Registration Ends 7/15/26 at 3:00 AM EDT
$895.00
Price will increase to $1,000.00 on 7/2/26
Credits Price
Platinum Sponor
This sponsor level comes with three free event registrations.   Registration Ends 7/1/26 at 12:00 AM EDT
$7,500.00
Gold Sponsor
This sponsor level comes with two free event registrations.   Registration Ends 7/1/26 at 12:00 AM EDT
$5,000.00
Silver Sponsor
This sponsor level comes with one free event registration. Registration Ends 7/1/26 at 12:00 AM EDT
$2,500.00
Bronze Sponsor with discounted attendee ticket
This Sponsorship Level comes with one Paid (discounted to $350) Registration.  If you wish to sponsor at this level and not attend, please reach out to Cheryl Cook at ccook@ldschools.org Registration Ends 7/1/26 at 12:00 AM EDT
$1,600.00

    2026 ALDS Leadership Summit

    Currey Ingram Academy
    Brentwood, Tennessee

    • Sunday, July 19th 
      • 5:00 - 6:30 PM - Head's Only Happy Hour for School Heads and Executive Directors
      • 7:00 - 9:30 PM - Evening reception at the The Sheraton Nashville Brentwood - Dinner included 

    • Monday, July 20th  
      • 8:15 - 9:15 - Breakfast at the Sheraton for Hotel Guests
    •  
      • 9:30 AM - Transport to Currey Ingram Academy
    •  
      • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Summit Opening and Keynote
    •  
      • 12:00 - 3:30 PM - Tours, Lunch, Programming in Leadership Tracks (Heads, Academic School Leaders, Operational School Leaders)
    •  
      • 3:30 - 5:00 PM - Summit Kick Off Session including a State of the Association
    •  
      • 5:00 - 7:15 PM -  Evening Reception at Currey Ingram Academy - Dinner Included

      • 8:00 - 10:00 PM - Optional - Night Out at the 8th Room - Tickets Required

      • Tuesday, July 21st 
        • 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Full Day of Learning and Collaborating at Currey Ingram Academy - Lunch included
          • Shuttles leave the hotel at 9:00 AM and return at 4:00 PM 
      •  
        • 6:30 - 9:00 PM - Evening Out in Downtown Nashville at ACME Feed & Seed - Dinner Included
          • Shuttles leave the hotel at 6:00 PM and return at 9:30 PM

      • Wednesday, July 22nd
        • 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM - Full Day of Learning and Collaborating at Currey Ingram Academy - Lunch included 
          • Shuttles leave the hotel at 9:00 AM and return at 3:30 PM
          • Luggage Storage Available at the School
      •  

      For More Information:

      Cheryl Cook
      Cheryl Cook
      Executive Director at ALDS (330)203-1565
      INTERESTED IN BEING A SPONSOR?

      Please review our sponsorship package and reach out to Cheryl Cook at ccook@ldschools.org.