The Deeper Learning Alliance

Schools should be joyful places of deeper learning for all.

You should apply if

  • You are a school leader (principal, head of school, instructional leader)

  • You want to shift from compliance-driven to relational, purpose-driven schooling

  • You're familiar with the deeper learning community and want to go deeper

  • You can commit to attending and bringing a Problem of Practice

  • You have a colleague who can join you and who shares the same commitment

Come join 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.

What you’ll gain

  • Innovative ideas you might otherwise only encounter at a major conference

  • A trusted peer group who shares your values

  • Guidance and research from Harvard's Deeper Learning Institute

  • Practical tools made interactive and applicable to your context

  • A collective — you are not doing this alone

  • A certificate of completion to document your Continuing Education hours

  • Early Bird registration to the 2027 Deeper Learning International Conference

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.  To: Members of this community are looking for honest peer collaboration, leadership development and professional learning that they can use to actually change 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.

  • 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.

Cost: $1,895 per organization*

*Includes up to two participants per organization across all 9 sessions.

Apply Now!

Questions ? Contact Deniann Grant

We envision a system-wide movement to transform classrooms, schools, and districts into spaces for human flourishing—shifting from control-and-compliance thinking to relational, purpose-driven, holistic approaches that cultivate growth, belonging, shared leadership, and lasting equity