Wisconsin Charter School Summit 2026

If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know as soon as possible and we will do our best to accommodate you. 

Lunch Menu:
Char grilled hamburgers
Barbecue grilled chicken
Assorted cheeses, lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, mustard, and cole slaw
Bakery fresh hamburger buns
Kettle chips
Assorted cookies

Crafting Your Narrative By Telling Your School Story  
Have you ever been asked about your school and struggled to find a clear, concise way to tell your story?  Every school has a mission statement; however, many report they are challenged to find a succinct and coherent way to tell their story.  This workshop guides leaders, board members, and/or teachers through a structured process to articulate the purpose of their school and how what they believe is often in conflict with our schools today. We will craft a succinct and compelling “Why Story” that aligns community need, purpose, mission, and success outcomes. Participants will reflect, dialogue, and practice together as they draft a narrative that tells their school story, and they will leave with a story framework to bring back to their team.

Participants leave with a story that articulates the following components

• Your belief and purpose statement
• Your clearly defined community need
• Your school mission or tenets 
• Your success measures

NOTE: This is a double session and spans two presentation time slots. If you sign up for this session, you will be unable to attend a different presentation at the 10:45 time slot. 

Move from your school’s purpose and mission to execution by transforming your school’s innovation into a clear, actionable playbook. In this practice, hands-on workshop, your team will build a shared understanding of the essential components of a school playbook and how it drives consistency, clarity, and impact across your organization.
In this extended session, your team will begin building the structure of a school playbook grounded in your purpose and mission. You’ll engage in a practical, step-by-step process to define your innovation by developing clear, aligned practice profiles. These profiles will articulate what success looks like for a key design essential of your charter school, creating a shared understanding and setting the foundation for consistent, high-quality implementation across your school.
Bring your full team and start the work now. You’ll leave with tangible progress, early drafts, and a strong foundation for documenting, refining, and scaling your innovation.

This two-session block is designed to provide a step-by-step guide to designing your own school playbook, with examples, templates, and individualized support to help you get started on the right path.

To cultivate a truly innovative school environment, five key structures must be intentionally developed and sustained. Proficiency ensures that learning is focused on mastery rather than time, allowing students to progress based on demonstrated understanding. GLEAM supports Grade Level, Engaging, Affirming, and Meaningful interdisciplinary, real-world learning experiences that engage students in critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. Academic Universal Design emphasizes inclusive instructional practices, ensuring all learners have equitable access to rigorous content through flexible methods and supports for every student. RISE and SHINE  builds a positive school culture by prioritizing relationships, student voice, and a strong sense of belonging. Finally, Hard Conversations and Partnerships foster trust and growth by encouraging open dialogue among staff, students, families, and the broader community. Together, these five structures create a cohesive framework that empowers schools to adapt, innovate, and meet the diverse needs of all learners.