THE DEEPER LEARNING ALLIANCE

A growing community of school leaders learning together, experimenting together and transforming education, guided by Harvard’s Deeper Learning Institute.

The Deeper Learning Alliance is a new professional community designed for school leaders who believe schools can and should be joyful, purposeful, and deeply human places. Together, we explore big ideas and bring them to life in your own context — with Harvard's deeper learning research as your guide and a peer community as your support

YOU SHOULD APPLY IF

1. You are a school leader: principal, head of school or instructional leader

2. You want to move from compliance-driven to relational, purpose-driven schooling

3. You can commit to attending and bringing a Problem of Practice

4. A colleague who shares your commitment can join you

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN

1. Ideas you might otherwise only meet at a major conference

2. A trusted peer group that shares your values

3. Practical tools for your context

4. A certificate of completion for Continuing Education hours

5. Early bird registration to the 2027 Deeper Learning International Conference

HOW IT WORKS

Attend

Live attendance at monthly sessions is expected.

Prepare

Light prep materials (15–20 min) shared before each session.

Join by Zoom

You’ll receive a secure link one week before each session.

$1,895

Per Organization

Includes up to 2 participants, 9 monthly virtual sessions, small-group peer consultancy and a curated resource library.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Sessions will take place virtually via Zoom on the following dates:
September 10th — 3PM EST (60 mins)
October 1st — 3PM EST (90 mins)
November 5th — 3PM EST EST (90 mins)
December 3rd — 3PM EST EST (90 mins)
January 7th — 3PM EST (90 mins)
February 4th — 3PM EST (90 mins)
March 4th — 3PM EST (90 mins)
April 1st — 3PM EST (90 mins)
May 6th — 3PM EST (90 mins)
The Alliance is comprised of school and system leaders who are ready to move beyond compliance-driven schooling and toward something more human and purposeful. Our leaders are looking for honest peer collaboration and professional development that actually changes practice. If you have questions about whether you are the right fit, please reach out!
We ask that school leaders apply in pairs. If you would like to participate as a team of four, please have each pair submit an application.
In addition to virtual live session, alliance members will have access to:
Curated Resources: Timely readings, tools, and ideas aligned to the year's arc of work.
Early Access to DLI Tools: First look at new tools and frameworks coming out of the Deeper Learning Institute.
Deeper Learning Design Process: Monthly small-group consultancy sessions where your transformation efforts unfold in a structured yearlong arc.
Peer Cohort Matchmaking: We thoughtfully curate your cohort so you learn alongside the right peers.
Harvard / Expert Guest Lecturer Sessions: Nine sessions of cutting-edge ideas from researchers and practitioners at the forefront of deeper learning.
Each month opens with a mini lecture or workshop from deeper learning researchers and practitioners — the caliber of ideas you'd encounter at a national conference in a more intimate setting.
The second part brings you into a small group of peers. Together, you work through a real Problem of Practice—one school's challenge examined with structure and collaborative care.
Sessions are sequenced with adult learning in mind. Through our curated Deeper Learning tools you'll build something meaningful over the course of the year at your own site.
August — Introductory Session: Meet the community, establish shared norms, and get oriented to the year ahead. You'll begin identifying your Problem of Practice through the Deeper Learning design process.
September through April — Monthly Gatherings: A regular rhythm of 90 minute meetings on the first Thursday of the month. The first half is a workshop grounded in Harvard's deeper learning tools. The second half, your small group works through a Problem of Practice together.
Early May — Celebrate & Close Out: The year closes with reflection, celebration, and an eye toward what comes next. Participants will receive direct feedback on their work across the year.
Program sessions will be conducted primarily in English. We are actively exploring translation and language-support options to make participation as accessible as possible. If you are interested in the program and would benefit from language support, we encourage you to apply and note your needs in your application. This information will help us assess demand and identify the best ways to support participants.
The Alliance is open to school and district leaders who are working to improve classroom learning experiences within a school or group of schools. We are looking for participants who are committed to a systems-level perspective and who understand how changes in policies, structures, adult practices, and culture shape what students experience in classrooms. Ideally, participants will be positioned to influence and support changes that lead to better teaching and learning outcomes for students. If you’re unsure if you are the right fit, reach out!
Members sign a commitment to make their best effort to attend sessions and actively engage in our design process around a Problem of Practice or an aspect of your school you want to reimagine. Please note any conflicts in your application and we will make decisions on a case by case basis. We understand that school leaders do busy jobs and crises arrive, but participants will get out of the experience as much as they put in.