Our Story
After a decade of launching and leading schools, our team had a talent challenge. As the founding school leaders of CWC Schools moved into more senior or network roles, our schools started to stumble. They lacked a strong pipeline of emerging leaders to step into the school leader role and to continue ensuring joyful, rigorous learning experiences for all students.
Professional
Learning
Opportunities
In 2019, with funding from the Walton Family Foundation, our team launched its first cohort of the Leader Institute. In 2020, Leader Institute launched its second cohort, expanding to include leaders launching new schools in Alabama while also trialing a virtual experience. After a pause to refine its programming in the aftermath of the pandemic, the Leader Institute re-launched with its 4th cohort of future leaders, alongside a suite of short-burst professional learning opportunities for schools to implement.
Our Team
We are former educators, school leaders, learners and facilitators. We bring decades of experience launching and operating diverse, inclusive schools that foster a whole learner approach. Our guiding principle is to ensure that every learning environment, from adult professional development to instruction in kindergarten classrooms, is skillfully facilitated by leaders who embrace a whole-learner approach.
Our impact
We focus on developing leaders who are prepared to step into higher levels of leadership at a school, network of schools, or education-facing organizations.
60%
of fellows identify as leaders of color
65%
of fellows elevated into senior leader roles
7
new schools launched across 4 states
Leader Institute Fellowship · 2025–2026
The gap, closed
“I believe I have the skills necessary to address complex leadership challenges.”
78%
Of possible growth achieved in one year
In August, the cohort averaged 3.2 on this item, leaving 1.8 points of possible growth to a perfect 5.0. By May, fellows had captured 1.4 of those points.
1.8 points of possible growth · 78% captured
LEADER PROFILE:
Melissa Ramirez
2024-2025 Leader Institute Fellow
(Waypoint)
Role while in Leader Institute:
Instructional Coach
Current Role: K-2 Assistant Principal,
Nevada Rise
(Clark County, Nevada)
“Leader Institute helped me ground myself in my leadership journey and reaffirmed that our greatness is defined by the communities we serve. It strengthened my vision, enhanced my leadership skills, and empowered me to create meaningful change within my school community. I am deeply grateful for Leader Institute because it allowed me to grow both professionally and personally. “
