The Coalition of Essential Schools, Southeast CES Center, Nova Southeastern University, Fischler School of Education and Human Services, and the Florida School Choice Resource Center invite you to join us for our 2007 Summer Institute at the Miami Beach Resort and Spa in Miami Beach, Florida.

The CES Small Schools Summer Institute features workshops and facilitated conversations with some of the most effective small school educators in the country, including those from CES Mentor Schools Urban Academy, Eagle Rock School, Boston Arts Academy, Quest High School, Wildwood School, and Fenway High School (view the full list of CES Mentor schools).

Participation is open to individuals and school teams who are starting new small schools, working in large schools converting to small autonomous schools or small learning communities, or who are looking for a community of experienced practitioners from whom to learn and share best practices. This institute will provide professional development for all who are interested in making schools powerful places of learning.

Workshops by CES Small Schools Network Members
Participants will have the opportunity to attend: one 6-hour intensive workshop and two 3-hour workshops

Interest Group Gatherings
Interest Group Gatherings (IGGs) are less structured sessions with informal discussion and networking around common issues. IGGs brings together people with similar interests in role-alike groups to address an essential question or concern.

Critical Friends Conversations
Critical Friends Conversations (CFCs) are facilitated discussions centered on themes of equity and democracy in education. Through the use of protocols CFCs offer a safe space for us to move from awareness to understanding to taking action in our schools.

Youth Participation
We strongly encourage youth participation at Summer Institute. Youth are considered full and active participants of the Institute. There will be a day-long session for youth in which students participate in team building exercises, set goals for the week, and create a youth leadership action plan to implement in their schools. In addition to the day-long session, youth have the opportunity to attend two 3-hour workshops facilitated by youth or of interest to youth. The Institute also provides formal and informal time for youth to network and develop friendships with other youth from across the country. Each school team is expected to chaperone their youth attendees.

Team Planning
One aspect of the Institute is to have teams work together to set goals and collaborate on designing classes, curriculums, and/or schools. Teams will have time each day to meet to plan their goals for the Institute as well as for the year ahead. CES Small Schools Network teams will include pairs of CES mentors and new school design teams or new schools. Participating teams who are not members of the Network will receive coaching from one of our partners or centers.

Networking and Relationship Building
There will be specific events that provide opportunities for team building and networking; However, the institute as a whole provides the opportunity for networking and relationship building via workshops, Interest Group Gatherings, and CFC’s.

Meals for the Week
There will be a welcome reception and dinner on Monday night for all Summer Institute participants. During the week breakfast and lunch will be provided. We also provide snacks during the Institute breaks to keep you well fed (and hydrated!). In the evenings you will be free to have dinner and sightsee on your own.

Special Event: Dinner Cruise

Join us on a Cruise Thursday night!

Details: Enjoy three hours of an evening cruise in beautiful Biscayne Bay. This is an optional activity and involves an additional fee of $40 that covers dinner on board, one drink, and the beautiful views of the bay. After you complete your Summer Institute registration, you will receive a confirmation page that includes a link for you to follow to pay for your dinner cruise by credit card (separate payment from institute registration) or you can purchase tickets now.

Pictures of the yacht

Redesigning Large High Schools for Equity

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On Tuesday, July 10th, from 4:45 - 7:00 pm, there will be a special symposium to explore strategies for achieving equity by redesigning large comprehensive high schools into small learning communities and small autonomous schools. The symposium will feature an interactive panel that includes national and local experts in high school redesign, who will focus on the kind of school and district-level change required to create and sustain equitable, personalized, and intellectually challenging schools. Following the panel discussion, participants will have the opportunity to dialogue with panelists and other practitioners in small groups.

The Symposium also includes an evening reception for speakers and attendees. Registration for the symposium is included in the Tuesday Day Pass and for full-week registrants. Other interested parties may register for the symposium only, at a cost of $30 (parking at the hotel not included).

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Please contact the CES National office for more information at 510-433-1451 or info@essentialschools.org.