NAIS Access & Opportunity Summit 2026

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. The summit provides time and space for bold reflection on how independent schools can reimagine their role in addressing national imperatives like income inequality and economic mobility. It aims to affirm shared values around the merits of broader access for students and for the school, and to chart actionable steps schools can take to better live these values. Topics covered include rethinking access and opportunity, navigating financial, structural, and cultural obstacles, persuading boards and donors to make necessary investments, and identifying innovative strategies. Attendees can expect to return to their school with a clearer grasp of the issues, tactical strategies, and a like-minded peer network.