NAIS Access & Opportunity Summit

  • Enrollment and Admission
  • Affordability
  • Tuition
  • Financial Aid
  • Professional, Staff, and Team Development
  • Financial Sustainability
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
  • Fundraising

About the Event

This two-day summit convenes independent school voices around the urgent challenges of access and opportunity—focusing on how schools can better align financial aid investments with their aspirations to serve the most financially vulnerable students and promote more equitable opportunity.

Register Now
Date / Time
October 15-16, 2026
Location

NAIS Headquarters (Washington, DC)

Program Overview

While NAIS research confirms that schools value access and economic diversity as key goals for their financial aid investments, they often fall short of delivering on those values due to entrenched financial, structural, and/or cultural obstacles. 

For instance, dating as far back as the 2008 recession, NAIS data suggest that it is becoming increasingly difficult for low-income families to secure the financial aid required to access an independent school education. As a result, highly valued outcomes like economic diversity have been compromised, especially among the middle and lower rungs of the income spectrum. 

The NAIS Access & Opportunity Summit provides time and space for bold reflection. How might independent schools reimagine their role in addressing important national imperatives like income inequality and economic mobility? What can schools and associations do to underscore the philosophical and purpose-driven imperative for broader access while solidifying the financial resources needed to make it sustainable? 

This two-day summit convenes independent school voices around the urgent challenges of access and opportunity—focusing on how schools can better align financial aid investments with their aspirations to serve the most financially vulnerable students and promote more equitable opportunity. 

Unlike a workshop focused on skills, the summit aims to affirm shared values around the merits of broader access for students and for the school and also chart actionable steps schools can take to better live these values. 

Topics Covered

  • Rethink what access and opportunity mean and look like in today’s environment. 

  • Navigate financial, structural, and cultural obstacles to access and inclusion.  

  • Persuade boards, donors, and other supporters to make necessary investments. 

  • Identify innovators leading the way for inspiration on possibilities. 

Audience

The NAIS Access & Opportunity Summit is designed for independent school heads, enrollment management leaders, financial aid directors, and other senior leaders.

Outcomes

Based on the ideas and directions identified during the summit, NAIS will highlight action steps it can take to support the broader membership in this work, such as additional research and insights into the challenges, practical solutions to implement, and opportunities for further connections and idea sharing.  

  • Return to your school with a clearer grasp of the issues.

  • Get tactical strategies to consider for your school.

  • Gain a like-minded peer network for ongoing engagement and support.

Faculty

  • Mark J. Mitchell

    Vice President for Access & Affordability
    NAIS

Registration Information

Registration prices include in-person learning, breakfast, and lunch each day. Click here to register.

*Contact us for more information about the benefits of NAIS membership, including discounted event pricing.  

Registration Type
Early-Bird Pricing (Through 6/1/26)
Standard Pricing (On or After 6/2/26)
Member Price*
$750
$900
Nonmember Price
$975
$1,170
  • Registration Type
    Member Price*
  • Early-Bird Pricing (Through 6/1/26)
    $750
  • Standard Pricing (On or After 6/2/26)
    $900
  • Registration Type
    Nonmember Price
  • Early-Bird Pricing (Through 6/1/26)
    $975
  • Standard Pricing (On or After 6/2/26)
    $1,170

Hotel Accommodations

Your registration fee does not include hotel/lodging. NAIS has reserved a block of rooms at the discounted rate of $295/night (plus 15.95% tax) at the Hotel AKA Washington Circle (1 Washington Circle NW, Washington, DC 20037). Book your room here to get the discounted rate. The program will take place at the NAIS Headquarters and is within walking distance of the hotel. 

Schedule

Thursday, October 15: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM ET   

Friday, October 16: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM ET   

Watch for a more detailed schedule as we get closer to the institute.  

Contact Information and Cancellation Policy

Please contact institutes@nais.org or 202-973-9700 with any questions.  

Cancellations must be received in writing at institutes@nais.org. Cancellations received up to 30 days (September 15, 2026) before the program's start date will be fully refunded, less a $75 administrative fee. Cancellations received fewer than 30 days prior to the program will not be refunded.