Schools to Watch Leadership Retreat
October 24-25, 2025, North Lake Tahoe
Are you an administrator of a California School to Watch? Would you like your school to become a School to Watch? Either way, we have the event for you!
Middle school administrators face an ever-shifting landscape – balancing student success, staff well-being, and systemic demands while navigating uncertainty and change.
The STW Leadership Retreat offers a rare pause from the daily rush to focus, reflect, and recharge.
Drawing from the successes of the Schools to Watch model and lessons in transformative leadership from the Leaders to Watch Academy, this retreat is designed to:
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Deepen understanding of how the Schools to Watch framework guides student-centered leadership.
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Explore how the STW School Self-Study and Rating Rubric strengthens systems for belonging, equity, and academic excellence.
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Connect leadership practices to reflective tools and collaborative learning strategies.
- Provide mentorship for leaders wanting to apply for Schools to Watch status
Through inspiring sessions, school spotlights, and collaborative leadership rounds, participants will leave with clear action steps, a stronger network, and renewed energy for the work ahead.
Schedule
Friday, October 24
8:00 - 8:30 am Check-in & Continental Breakfast
8:30 - 9:00 am Welcome & Purpose
9:00 - 10:15 am Spotlight on Schools to Watch
10:30 - 11:30 am Leading Through Change Pt. I
11:30 am - 1:00 pm Lunch on your own
1:00 - 2:30 pm Leadership in Action Pt. I
2:45 - 3:30 pm Leadership in Action Pt. II
3:30 pm Reception
Saturday, October 25
8:00 - 8:30 am Continental Breakfast
8:30 - 9:00 am Morning Connection
9:00 - 10:15 am Leading Through Change Pt. II
10:30 - 11:30 am Building Your Network & Leaders to Watch Meeting
Schedule is subject to change.
Leaders to Watch Academy Kickoff
The retreat is also the in-person kickoff for the Leaders to Watch Academy.
This year-long professional learning journey is for site and district leaders ready to elevate their leadership impact.
Join now – or sign up at the retreat!
Location, Hotel & Travel
North Lake Tahoe is a convenient destination with easy access through dozens of daily flights to the Reno International Airport (RNO). Incline Village is less than a 45-minute drive away, and there is a shuttle directly from the airport. Fall is a beautiful time to visit, with snowfall being highly unlikely.
Registration Fees:
$409* STWs
$469 Non-STWs
Includes continental breakfast on Friday and Saturday.
*Must hold a current STW membership.