HGSE Executive Programs — Harvard Graduate School of Education — Executive Programs

Leading School Strategy and Innovation: A CSML Course

School leaders must set vision and goals, align strategy and resources, and guide innovation; all while navigating increasingly complex environments. Success requires not just managing day-to-day operations but taking a strategic, systems-level approach to improvement.Leading School Strategy and Innovation equips PreK-12 school leaders with the skills they need to diagnose challenges, refine vision, align resources, and drive meaningful, sustainable school improvement. The course is part of the…

Details

Dates
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 – Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Format
Location
Fort Collins, CO
Duration
3–4 weeks
Cost
$499.00
Event type

PD Guide isn't connected to HGSE Executive Programs — confirm details there before registering.

Who it's for

Subjects

Topics

Upcoming Sessions

  • Oct 21, 2026 - Nov 18, 2026 Application Deadline: Oct 9, 2026 Tuition: $499.00

Course Syllabus & Calendar

Leading School Strategy and Innovation Course SyllabusLeading School Strategy and Innovation October 2026 Course Calendar

Additional information

  • Mary Grassa O'Neill Senior Lecturer on Education, HGSE Mary Grassa O'Neill is a specialist in school and district management and leadership, professional development for principals, and leading for equity and diversity.
  • Monique Burns Thompson Senior Lecturer of Business Administration, HBS

Additional Faculty

  • Senior Lecturer on Education; Faculty Chair, Literacy and Languages Concentration; Faculty Co-Chair, Teaching and Teacher Leadership, HGSE Pamela A. Mason
  • Senior Fellow and Paul R. Lawrence MBA Class of 1942 Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus, HBS Michael L. Tushman

Before You Apply

  • Use a laptop or desktop computer (tablets and smartphones are not supported).
  • Use Chrome or Firefox browsers (other browsers are not supported).
  • For technical support, visit the HBS Online Support Portal.

New Applicants

  • Create an HBS Online account and verify it via the activation email within 24 hours.
  • Log in and navigate to Certificate in School Management and Leadership, then select Apply.
  • Complete the Personal, Employment, and Open Response sections.
  • Proceed to Review & Submit to submit your application, or leave and return to your application later. Before leaving the application, please ensure you complete all required fields on the section you are working on, and select Save and Continue before leaving the application. To return to your application later, log in to your HBS Online account and select Continue Application. Applications must be submitted before the application deadline.
  • Once you submit your application, you will be prompted to agree that all your information is accurate and click Proceed.
  • After submitting, you’ll receive a confirmation email and can expect an admissions decision within three weeks.

Enrollment

  • Log in to your HBS Online account using the same email and password from your application.
  • On your dashboard, you’ll see a CSML tile with your Acceptance Letter. Available courses will display as tiles below.
  • Use the dropdown to select your preferred course dates, then click Go.
  • Review the Welcome page and click Continue.
  • Review the Policies, confirm your agreement, and click Save and Proceed to Payment.
  • On the Payment page, pay by credit card only (checks, purchase orders, or other forms of payment are not accepted). You may also forward a payment request to a recipient who will pay on your behalf. All payments must be received by the posted deadline. Enrollment deadlines are strictly enforced; early enrollment is strongly recommended.
  • If you exit before completing payment, log back in later and select Complete Payment to finalize.

Certificates

  • Upon successful completion of a course, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion jointly issued by HGSE and HBS.
  • Participants who complete all four CSML…

Descriptions on this page are excerpted from HGSE Executive Programs's own published materials.