January 27–29, 2027 · New Orleans
The Action SummitProgram
Three days to explore innovative high schools, connect with leaders from across the country, and turn what you learn into action for your community.
The program
What you'll experience
Ideas & Conversations
Game-changing sessions and opportunities to connect with educators, leaders, and innovators exploring what's working now and what comes next in high school.
Immersive Community Experience
Explore the city of New Orleans through guided school site visits and programmed community-building experiences.
National High School Showcase
Discover what's new in high school by connecting with interactive exhibits from innovation schools from across the country.
Action Planning
Make a plan to bring innovation to your community. Launch something new, expand what's working, or plan to sustain your innovations for the long term.
Action Summit keynote speaker
Action Summit keynote speaker
Dr. Katie Jenner
Indiana Secretary of Education
Preparing students for what comes next.
Dr. Jenner brings a statewide perspective to the Action Summit keynote. Join her and the Empower Schools network in New Orleans to explore innovative high school designs from around the country, discuss the future of education policy, and plan action for your community.
See who else will be thereProgram overview
How the Action Summit unfolds
Three days in New Orleans move from seeing innovation firsthand to building a plan you can bring home.
See innovation in action
Wednesday, January 27
- Breakfast & registration8:00–10:30 AM
- Call to Action11:00 AM–12:00 PM
- School site visitsExplore innovative schools across New Orleans.12:00–2:30 PM
- In CommunityHappy hour and a screening of Turnaround, followed by conversation with filmmaker David Osburne and members of the cast.5:00–7:00 PM
Learn, connect & plan
Thursday, January 28
- Morning Mixer & PlenaryStart with students and community voices.8:00–10:00 AM
- Innovation ShowcaseInteractive exhibits from high schools across the country.10:00–11:30 AM
- Lunch & keynote with Dr. Katie Jenner11:45 AM–1:00 PM
- I Do → We Do → You DoExpert sessions, peer conversations, and action planning.1:15–4:45 PM
- ALL IN Action Rally5:00–6:00 PM
Celebrate the action
Friday, January 29
- Breakfast & conversation8:00–9:00 AM
- The ACTION AwardsA closing celebration of the people and plans moving this work forward.9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Schedule subject to change. Your final confirmation email will include your personalized agenda.
Breakout sessions · Thursday, January 28
From learning to action
The familiar I Do → We Do → You Do teaching framework guides our professional learning. Open to all participants, these sessions move from expert insight to shared exploration to a plan you can put to work in your community.
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01 / DiscoverI Do
Learn from experts on a new topic, or join a focused conversation that expands your thinking.
1:15–2:15 PM -
02 / Explore togetherWe Do
Explore practical resources, exchange perspectives with peers, and work through ideas together.
2:30–3:30 PM -
03 / ApplyYou Do
Apply what you've learned to build an action plan for your community.
3:45–4:45 PM
Day three · Closing celebration
The ActionAwards
Three days of ideas, connection, and action. One celebration of the people behind it all.
On the final morning, we’ll recognize people who gave their all to bring innovation to their communities and people who brought the Action Summit community to life.
Friday, January 29 · 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
View the full agenda
January 27–29, 2027 · New Orleans
Be part of the action.
Join us to explore innovative high school designs, connect with leaders from across the country, and make a plan for your community.
Register for the Action Summit