Peer Circles
Leadership can be isolating—but it doesn’t have to be. NAIS Peer Circles offer a trusted, confidential space to reflect, problem-solve, and grow alongside peers who truly understand the complexity of school leadership roles.
Details
PD Guide isn't connected to NAIS — confirm details there before registering.
Subjects
Topics
2026-2027 Peer Circles
- Fortify your working relationship with your head of school
- Nurture the full and appropriate engagement of fellow trustees
- Ensure trustees know their roles and responsibilities and focus on important, strategic topics
- Make visible the norms/guidelines of your board to support a healthy, respectful, and inclusive culture
- Create effective onboarding, mentoring, and development of trustees
- Facilitate effective, efficient, and productive meetings
- Hold accountable/course-correct a fellow trustee operating outside of the board’s lane
- Tend to succession planning
- Small, consistent cohorts of your peers
- Confidential, facilitated conversations that balance structure with flexibility
- A trusted space to explore real challenges, test ideas, and gain perspective
- A sustained network of peers who support one another throughout the year
For Heads
Being a head of school demands sound judgment, resilience, and perspective—but you shouldn’t have to navigate it alone. Head Circles provide the rare opportunity to step out of the day-to-day, engage deeply with trusted peers, and return to your work with renewed clarity and confidence. We continue to thoughtfully place participants into consistent small groups of heads who are not in the same competitive market—creating a space for open, honest dialogue and sustained connection.
You are starting at a new school this year (as of July 1) and want support navigating your first year of leadership in a new context. You may be a first-time head or you may be an experienced head in your first year at a new school.
You are established in your role at your school and looking for ongoing growth, honest peer dialogue, and space to think more deeply about your leadership.
Newly Transitioned Head Circles
You are starting at a new school this year (as of July 1) and want support navigating your first year of leadership in a new context. You may be a first-time head or you may be an experienced head in your first year at a new school.
Experienced Head Circles
You are established in your role at your school and looking for ongoing growth, honest peer dialogue, and space to think more deeply about your leadership.
For Board Chairs
- Fortify your working relationship with your head of school
- Nurture the full and appropriate engagement of fellow trustees
- Ensure trustees know their roles and responsibilities and focus on important, strategic topics
- Make visible the norms/guidelines of your board to support a healthy, respectful, and inclusive culture
- Create effective onboarding, mentoring, and development of trustees
- Facilitate effective, efficient, and productive meetings
- Hold accountable/course-correct a fellow trustee operating outside of the board’s lane
- Tend to succession planning
Board Chair Circles
- Fortify your working relationship with your head of school
- Nurture the full and appropriate engagement of fellow trustees
- Ensure trustees know their roles and responsibilities and focus on important, strategic topics
Descriptions on this page are excerpted from NAIS's own published materials.